The Verb - SER

1. Aquí se habla Español The Verb - SER Uses of the verb SER

2. Uses of the verb Ser Aquí se habla Español Spanish has two verbs that are the equivalent of the English “to be”. One such verb is the irregular verb Ser. • Ser is used to identify or describe; to tell what something is (basic characteristics or its origin); things that are an integral part of you, of your identity.

3. Uses of the verb Ser Aquí se habla Español • The acronym DOCTOR can be used to describe the verb SER: Descriptions Origins Characteristics Time / date Occupation Relationship

4. Descriptions with Ser Aquí se habla Español • Ser is used for all permanent/long-term and personal descriptions. Ser is used with the essential qualities  that define a person or thing and that are not likely to change in the near future. These can be: • Soyalta y delgada. - I am tall and thin. • Silvia espelirroja y baja. - Silvia is red-headed and short.

5. Origin – Nationality with Ser Aquí se habla Español • Ser is used to describe the place a person is from or the material something is made from. • To describe a person’s home country or location, use a conjugated form of the verb Ser + de + location. • Ella es de Honduras. (She is from Honduras) • Ella esperuana. (She is Peruvian)

6. Characteristics with Ser Aquí se habla Español • Characteristics are personality descriptions of a person. These would probably be the second thing you say to "What´s he/she or it like?“ • Amaliaesinteligente, atrevida, y amable. (Amaliais intelligent, daring, and friendly.) • Miesposoesromántico y cariñoso. (My husband is romantic and caring.)

7. Time – date with Ser Aquí se habla Español • Ser is used to point out Date and Time, which includes days, dates, and hours. For hours, use es for one o´clock and son for all other hours. • Hoy es el diez de marzo. (Today is March 10th; the 10th of March) • Sonlastres y quince de la tarde. (It is 3 pm) • Ayer fue mi cumpleaños. (Yesterday was my birthday.)

8. Occupation with Ser Aquí se habla Español • Occupations are seen as life-long careers and are therefore seen as more "permanent" than many people would think in the United States. • Soyprofesora del español. (I am a Spanish teacher.) • Ellossonestudiantes. (They are students.) • Mipadre erajardinero. (My father was a gardener.)

9. Relationship with Ser Aquí se habla Español • Even after someone dies or someone breaks up, relationships are described using ser. • Religion is considered a relationship with a higher power, with that said religions are also described using ser. • Lynnees mi madre. (Lynneismymother.) • Marcos es mi ex-novio. (Marcos ismy ex-boyfriend.) • Andrés es católico. (Andrés isCatholic.)

10. Other uses of Ser Aquí se habla Español • Ser is used with most phrases beginning with de. Example: • Soyde Costa Rica. I’m from Costa Rica. • El libroesde Raul. The book is Raul’s. • La cajaesde carton. The box is (made of) cardboard.

11. Other uses of Ser Aquí se habla Español Ser is used to link two nouns or pronouns or a noun and a pronoun. • El Sr. Lopezesprofesor. Mr. Lopez is a teacher. The underlined words are nouns. • Nosotrossomosestudiantes. We are students. The underlined words are a pronoun and a noun.

12. The conjugated forms of the verb SER

13. In summary • The verbseris an irregular verb that also means “to be” (estar is the other verb).  Ser does not follow the pattern of regular verb conjugation. • Seris used to identify or describe personality, nationality, physical characteristics (permanent), race, gender, origin, identity, profession, events, time

14. Vamos a practicar Aquí se habla Español Complete the following sentences with the appropriate form of the verb ser. • David _____ es un estudiante de Español. • Nosotros __________ de Puerto Rico. • Tu ________ un chico simpático. • ¿De dónde _______ ustedes? • Yo _______ profesor de matemáticas.

15. Aquí se habla Español ¿Tienen Preguntas?