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Estar: when to use it
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1.
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When talking about place and location
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¿Dónde está el cine?
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Where is the cinema?
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Estuve en la playa ayer
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I was at the beach yesterday.
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2.
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With an adjective to
express a temporary or unusual quality
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El cafĂ© está un poco frĂo
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The coffee is a bit cold
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Hoy estoy de mal humor
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I am in a bad mood today
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La profesora está muy guapa hoy
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The female teacher is gorgeous today
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3.
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Before past participles describing the result of an action
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El restaurante está abierto
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The restaurant is open
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La ventana está cerrada
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The window is closed
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4.
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When asking someone how they are
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¿Cómo estás?
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How are you?
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Estoy muy bien
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I am very well
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5.
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With present continuous
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Carmen está bailando
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Carmen is dancing
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Estábamos escuchando la radio
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We were listening to the radio
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Ser: when to use it
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1.
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With an adjective to
express a permanent or inherent quality
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El pastel es dulce
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The cake is sweet
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Mi hermano es calvo
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My brother is bald
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2.
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For profession and nationality
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Es profesor
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She is a teacher
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Pablo es Mexicano
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Pablo is Mexican
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3.
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With nouns or pronouns
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Es un coche
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It's a car
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ÂżEres John?
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Are you John?
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4.
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With possessive form
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Es mio
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It's mine
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Este es mi libro
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This is my book
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5.
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With "how much / many?"
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¿Cuánto es?
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How much is it? (price)
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¿Cuántos son?
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How many are there?
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6.
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With time, dates and numbers
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Son las seis
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It's 6 o'clock
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Dos y tres son cinco
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Two and three are five
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Es el 21 de diciembre
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It's 21st December
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7.
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With passive constructions
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Fue construido en 1800
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It was built in 1800
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El cuadro fue robado
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The picture was stolen
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8.
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With events or an occasion such as a party
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La fiesta es en casa de Susana
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The party is in Susana's house
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9.
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Something is made of
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Esos zapatos son de plástico
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Those shoes are (made of) plastic
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Es de oro
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It's made of gold
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