Hi again...thanks to everyone who helped me out here yesterday :) I'm finishing up my story, and I have one last question. The book for my project is called "Where is Teddy?". I translated that as "¿Donde es Teddy?". But I was just thinking...should I be using a form of 'estar' instead of a form of 'ser', since I am talking about location?
Also, the majority of the sentences are asking where "Teddy" could be hiding, such as "Is Teddy under the bed?". I translated this as "¿Es Teddy debajo de la cama?". Is it ok to use "es", or should I be using "esta"?
Thank you very much for ANY help/advice!
2007-03-19 13:44:20 · 13 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Languages
ESTAR
because you are refering to a place, location, as you already said.
Ser is most used to describe permanent situations or qualities...
Remember the song "Donde estas Yolanda"
;)
when i m not sure i recall in mind phrases or songs
:)
2007-03-19 13:49:45 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Ser is used when one is trying to convey a quality that is more or less characteristic of a person or thing. Estar is used to describe location, a temporary condition, or a resultant state.
For example, if you were trying to say that someone is an alcoholic you would say El es un alcohólico, or less politely, El es un borracho, but if you were trying to say that someone is drunk, you'd say, El está borracho. The use of esta indicates that the person is drunk right now, but probably won't be in the near future.
In your case, you are conveying a location, which is always conveyed with estar. In other words, ¿Dónde está Teddy?, and ¿Está Teddy debajo de la cama?
The question, ¿Dónde es Teddy?, does make sense, but has a radically different meaning that the one you are looking for.
Sometimes, using the wrong verb can get you into trouble. For example, Tu eres guapo. You are handsome. Indicating a more or less characteristic or permanent state. If you said, Estás guapo, you would be saying that you thought that his being handsome right then was something temporary and unusual.
2007-03-19 14:06:54 · answer #2 · answered by neoimperialistxxi 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Use "estar" for locations. Donde esta Teddy?
2007-03-19 13:55:02 · answer #3 · answered by la buena bruja 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
people say "you should use" but i have to say you must use estar. Es tedy debajo...??? makes no sense, it is not correct in spanish...i know it is difficult to see the differences between ser and estar
2007-03-19 13:58:29 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
In both cases you must use estar.
¿Dónde está Teddy?
¿Está Teddy debajo de la cama?
2007-03-19 14:02:05 · answer #5 · answered by Martha P 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
okay, estar is used when things are NOT permanent and can change...i WAS at the store.... he IS sick today... they ARE happy. Ser is used for non-changing things. You are intelligent... most people dont wake up one day stupid if they are naturally gifted so you would say ERES INTELIGENTE. also, your title would be Donde está teddy?
2007-03-19 13:49:19 · answer #6 · answered by Stephanie 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Estar is typically used when talking about locations and temporary states of being...so, yes, I would use "estar"
2007-03-19 13:47:53 · answer #7 · answered by jake78745 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You should use "Donde esta Teddy?" And you should be using "esta".
2007-03-19 13:48:59 · answer #8 · answered by miss pochacco 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You should definitely be using 'estar' because otherwise, you're posing a very philosophical question of 'where is he (in the fabric of life and society)?'
2007-03-19 13:48:58 · answer #9 · answered by whatever_9123 1 · 1⤊ 1⤋
estar is used for temporary things
location is temporary so you should use the form of estar.
2007-03-19 13:53:49 · answer #10 · answered by Amanda 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋