Why is ser used to describe qualities or states in the past and not estar?
I read in my Spanish grammar book the other day that ser is used in the past to describe "qualities or states of indefinite duration in the past" e.g. Marta era extremadamente cuidadosa. Why is this the case is estar is used to describe states in the present? In this example, is it because Marta being cuidadosa is considered an innate characteristic of Marta?

So, would you say Marta era feliz or Marta estaba feliz if the duration of time wasn't specified?

Question

Why is ser used to describe qualities or states in the past and not estar?
I read in my Spanish grammar book the other day that ser is used in the past to describe "qualities or states of indefinite duration in the past" e.g. Marta era extremadamente cuidadosa. Why is this the case is estar is used to describe states in the present? In this example, is it because Marta being cuidadosa is considered an innate characteristic of Marta?

So, would you say Marta era feliz or Marta estaba feliz if the duration of time wasn't specified?

Answer

hello, David! here is a short answer:
estava = at the time
era = an inate characteristic

Answer

The use of the verbs "SER" o "ESTAR" are not related with the tense that you are using,  it is more related with the sense of what you are talking about:

✍SER is used with:

1) Elements pertinent to your or others' identity: physical description, personality and character, nationality, race, gender, profession, origin, What things are made of

2) Things which "Take Place" or "Occur" in Time: Dates, days, seasons, time, events, concerts, parties

3) Possession.

✍ESTAR is used for States of Being:

1) Emotional, physical & mental states of (our bodies') being: Feelings/moods/emotions, physical conditions or appearances, civil state (married, single, divorced, dead)

2) Placement State of Being: Location of things and people (but not events)

3) Motion State of Being: Present Progressive tense (the immediate "-ing" form)

Answer

- When you use "estar", in any situation (past, present, future),  you  are referring  to or meaning something that is temporary.

Tu hijo es alto.
Tu hijo está altísimo (he has grown up a lot, he may grow a little more)

- In the past, there is another dimension: past perfect or imperfect.

ser:
imperfecto: María era feliz cuando vivía en el campo. Siempre la vi alegre.
perfecto: María fue feliz aquella mañana de marzo.

estar:
imperfecto: María estaba feliz porque su esposo había regresado de la guerra. 
perfecto: María estuvo feliz todo aquel día de fin de año.

- It may be easier if we try some sentences that can only use either "ser" or "estar":

Estar:
asustado (solo con estar)
Estoy asustado por mi examen de mañana.

Ser:
asustadizo (solo son ser)
El niño es/era asustadizo.

Answer

Yes, in the example "being cuidadosa" is considered an innate characteristic of Marta.
If the duration of time wasn't specified, I would say "Marta era feliz".

Answer

Sometimes, the answer is "tradition."

As a simplified example, French uses "to be" for permanent qualities and "to have" for temporary qualities.  In French, Sarah is happy is a permanent characteristic and Sarah has happiness is a temporary mood.

Spanish may be similar.

Answers · 6

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