How To Use Spanish Verbs With Locations

How To Use Spanish Verbs With Locations To say something or someone is somewhere in Spanish, it is most common to use the verb estar. For example, to say that Roberta is at home, you can say simply: Roberta est en casa. However, in some situations it is also possible to use ser, the main other verb for to be, as well as verbs used primarily for location. Estar vs. Ser When Referring to Location Although both are verbs for to be, estar and ser are seldom interchangeable, and that is true especially when they are used for location. Although estar typically is used to describe where a person or thing is located, when speaking of events ser must be used. One key to remember which verb to use is to note that if the verb can be translated as to take place or to be held, ser must be used. Some examples of estar used in reference to persons or things: Tim y Catalina nunca estaban en casa. (Tim and Catalina were never at home.)El restaurante est en Espaà ±a. (The restaurant is in Spain.)Yo salgo a la 1 de clase, para la 1:20 estarà © en la playa. (I am leaving class at 1 so I will be on the beach at 1:20.)Amri y su compaà ±era ya estn en Parà ­s. (Amri and her companion are already in Paris.)El coche est en el taller por una averà ­a. (The car is in the shop to get fixed.)Seattle est en el centro econà ³mico de la regià ³n conocida como Greater Puget Sound. (Seattle is in the regional economic center known as Greater Puget Sound.) Here are some examples of events that require the use of ser: La reunià ³n es en Valencia, Espaà ±a. (The meeting is in Valencia, Spain.)El partido La reunià ³n era en un retaurante selecto de Cartagena. (The meeting was in an exclusive restaurant in Cartagena.) en la capital estadounidense. (The game will be in the American capital.)La recepcià ³n de la boda fue en el restaurante Jjome Terrace. (The wedding reception was in the Jjome Terrace restaurant.) ¿Dà ³nde es el concierto que vemos? (Where is the concert were seeing?)Es posible que el debate fuera en un restaurante selecto de Cartagena. (Its possible the discussion was in an exclusive Cartagena restaurant.) Note how each of the sample sentences could also be translated by the appropriate tense of to occur or a phrase with a similar meaning. Sometimes, the meaning or even translation of the verbs subject can change depending on the whether ser or estar is used: El examen ser en la sala de conferencia. (The test will be in the conference hall. The test here refers to an event.)El examen estar en la mesa. (The test will be on the table. The test here refers to a document.)La obra ser en el teatro. (The play will be in the theater. A play is an event.)La obra estar en el museo. (The work of art will be in the museum. A work of art is something that can be touched.) Other Verbs of Location The two other verbs most often used to specify a location or ubicar and situar, which for this purpose are typically used in the form of estar past participle. In the present tense, translation of is, is located, and is situated are all possible. Nuestro hotel est ubicado en el corazà ³n de Buenos Aires. (Our hotel is in the heart of Buenos Aires.)La morada elegante est situada en la zona cosmopolita de Ciudad Quesada. (The elegant dwelling is in the cosmopolitan zone of Ciudad Quesada.)El pueblo de Maxtunil estaba ubicado cinco leguas al norte de Mà ©rida. (The pueblo of Maxtunil was five leagues north of Mà ©rida.)Nuestro segundo local va a estar situado en la calle Fernndez. (Our second shop is going to be on Fernndez Street.) Key Takeaways The verb estar, usually translated as to be, can be used to state where people and objects are.The verb ser, also typically meaning to be, is used to indicate where events take place.The verbs ubicar and situar can also be used to specify locations.