The verb serThe verb ser(To be)(To be)

““To be or not to be, that’s the To be or not to be, that’s the question”question”

-?-?

To beTo be

You use the verb “to be” every time you You use the verb “to be” every time you talk talk

When you say am, is, or are, you are When you say am, is, or are, you are conjugating the verb to beconjugating the verb to be

Conjugation of the verb to beConjugation of the verb to be

““To be” is in the infinitive formTo be” is in the infinitive form

A verb that is in the infinitive form has not A verb that is in the infinitive form has not been conjugated yet. The infinitive form is been conjugated yet. The infinitive form is the purest form of a verb. When “to be” is the purest form of a verb. When “to be” is conjugated with the pronoun I, it becomes conjugated with the pronoun I, it becomes am = I am am = I am When “to be” is conjugated with you, it When “to be” is conjugated with you, it becomes are =You are becomes are =You are

When “to be” is conjugated with the following When “to be” is conjugated with the following pronouns it changes to:pronouns it changes to:

To be To be

PronounPronoun changes to changes to

I am

You are

He is

She is

We are

They are

You are

Conjugation of SerConjugation of Ser

When Ser is conjugated with the pronoun When Ser is conjugated with the pronoun Yo (I) it becomes soy = Yo soyYo (I) it becomes soy = Yo soy

When Ser is conjugated with the pronoun When Ser is conjugated with the pronoun TTú (you/ informal/singular) it becomes eres ú (you/ informal/singular) it becomes eres = Tú eres= Tú eres

When Ser is conjugated with the pronoun When Ser is conjugated with the pronoun usted (you/formal/singular) it becomes es usted (you/formal/singular) it becomes es =Usted es=Usted es

When ser (to be) is conjugated with the following pronouns it becomes the following

Pronoun Conjugation of ser Translation

Yo (I) soy I am

Tú (you/informal-singular) eres You are

Usted (you/formal-singular) es You are

Él (he) es He is

Ella (she) es She is

Nosotros (we/masculine) somos We are

Nosotras (we/feminine) somos We are

Ustedes (you/plural) ya’ll son You are

Ellos (they/masculine) son They are

Ellas (they/feminine) son They are

RememberRememberWhen using the verb to be:When using the verb to be:

For singular nouns use For singular nouns use esesEx: La casa Ex: La casa eses peque pequeñaña singularsingular

For plural nouns use For plural nouns use sonsonEx: Las casas Ex: Las casas sonson peque pequeñañass

pluralplural

EjerciciosEjerciciosChange the subject for a pronounChange the subject for a pronoun

Ejemplo: Josefina = sheEjemplo: Josefina = she

1.1. Laura y Fernanda =_____________Laura y Fernanda =_____________

2.2. Jose y Laura =_________________Jose y Laura =_________________

3.3. Lidia y yo =____________________Lidia y yo =____________________

4.4. Jacobo y Cristobal =_____________Jacobo y Cristobal =_____________

5.5. Gregorio y usted =_______________Gregorio y usted =_______________

6.6. Gerardo y tGerardo y tú =__________________ú =__________________

EjerciciosEjerciciosTraduce (translate)Traduce (translate)1.1. Laura and Jose are Laura and Jose are

tall__________________________________tall__________________________________2.2. Hugo and I are Hugo and I are

short________________________________short________________________________3.3. Ricardo and you are Ricardo and you are

nice_________________________________nice_________________________________4.4. Monica and Beatriz are Monica and Beatriz are

funny________________________________funny________________________________5.5. You (familiar) are You (familiar) are

disorganized.__________________________disorganized.__________________________

To make a sentence negative just add To make a sentence negative just add nono in in front of the verb to be.front of the verb to be.

Ex: The girl is sweet= La niEx: The girl is sweet= La niña es dulceña es dulce

The girl The girl isis notnot sweet= La niña sweet= La niña nono eses dulcedulce

In English In English notnot no goes in front ofno goes in front of

goes after goes after isis the verb the verb eses

Translate the following:Translate the following:

1.1. He is not tall___________________________He is not tall___________________________

2.2. They are not lazy_______________________They are not lazy_______________________

3.3. We are not serious_____________________We are not serious_____________________

To make questionsTo make questionsJust like in English, start with the conjugated Just like in English, start with the conjugated form of the verb “to be” and add the question form of the verb “to be” and add the question marks (marks (¿¿?). ?).

Ex: The teacher is tall=La maestra es alta.Ex: The teacher is tall=La maestra es alta. Is the teacher tall? Is the teacher tall? ¿Es la maestra alta?¿Es la maestra alta?

The students The students areare short= short=LosLos alumnos alumnos sonson bajos. bajos.Are the students short?= ¿Son los alumnos bajos?Are the students short?= ¿Son los alumnos bajos?

We are nice = (Nosotros) somos simpáticos.We are nice = (Nosotros) somos simpáticos.Are we nice = ¿Somos (nosotros) simpáticos?Are we nice = ¿Somos (nosotros) simpáticos?

Translate the followingTranslate the following1.1. Is Maria blond?________________________ Is Maria blond?________________________ 2.2. Are David and Oscar handsome?Are David and Oscar handsome?

___________________________ ___________________________ 3.3. Is Yolanda lazy?_______________________Is Yolanda lazy?_______________________4.4. Are Olga and John athletic?Are Olga and John athletic?

____________________________________________________________5.5. Am I short?___________________________Am I short?___________________________6.6. Are the teachers (f) red-haired? Are the teachers (f) red-haired?

________________________________________________________________________7.7. Is the woman short?Is the woman short?

______________________________________________________________

To answer a question positively:To answer a question positively:Are we artistic? Are we artistic? ¿Somos artísticos?¿Somos artísticos?Yes, we are artistic. Sí, somos artísticos.Yes, we are artistic. Sí, somos artísticos.

To answer a question negatively:To answer a question negatively:NoNo, we are , we are notnot artistic. artistic. NoNo, , nono somos artísticos. somos artísticos.

Are you short? ¿Es usted bajo/a? (formal)Are you short? ¿Es usted bajo/a? (formal) ¿Eres tú bajo/a? (familiar)¿Eres tú bajo/a? (familiar)

Yes, I am short. Si, soy bajo/a. Yes, I am short. Si, soy bajo/a. No, I am not short. No, no soy bajo/a.No, I am not short. No, no soy bajo/a.

Is your (inf.) brother funny? ¿Es tu hermano cómico? Is your (inf.) brother funny? ¿Es tu hermano cómico?

Yes he is funny. Si, él es cómico.Yes he is funny. Si, él es cómico.No he is not funny. No, él no es cómico.No he is not funny. No, él no es cómico.

Is your (inf) friend athletic?__________________Is your (inf) friend athletic?__________________Yes, he is athletic_________________________Yes, he is athletic_________________________No, he is not athletic_______________________No, he is not athletic_______________________He is lazy_______________________________He is lazy_______________________________Are you (inf) artistic?______________________Are you (inf) artistic?______________________Yes, I am artistic__________________________Yes, I am artistic__________________________No, I am not artistic________________________No, I am not artistic________________________I am athletic_____________________________I am athletic_____________________________Are we studious?_________________________Are we studious?_________________________Yes, we are studious______________________Yes, we are studious______________________No, we are not studious____________________No, we are not studious____________________We are lazy______________________________We are lazy______________________________

Ser is used to describe permanent conditions or conditions that take a long time to change

Use Ser with the following:

1)To identify things or people.

Ser means “is” in the sense that something is the way it is.

Ella es Silvia (She is Silvia)

Ellos son estudiantes (They are students)

Es una casa (It is a house)

Son unas escuelas (They are schools)

2)Physical characteristics or personal traits.Characteristics that don’t change from day to day are also described with ser. Physical features like eye color or height, or personality features like intelligence or kindness. Features that don’t change over a short period of time, such as being young or old.

Yo soy alta (physical characteristic)Tú eres moreno (physical characteristic)Usted es agradable (personality trait)Las señoras son inteligentes (personality trait)

3)Professions or occupationsWhen stating someone’s profession do not use indefinite articles (un, una, unos, unas)

Rogelio es astronauta (Rogelio is an astronaut) Ana y Jose son doctores (Ana y Jose are doctors)

If you use an adjective with professions, you have to use indefinite articles. The adjectives good and bad should be placed before the profession. Other adjectives come after the profession.

Good buen(m/s) buenos (m/p)

buena (f/s) buenas (f/p)

Bad mal (m/s) malos (m/p)

mala (f/s) malas (f/p)

El muchacho es un buen arquitecto (before profession)

Juan y Monica son unos malos dentistas (before prof.)

Hugo y yo somos unos soldados altos (after profession)

EjerciciosEjercicios

1.1. She is a doctor_________________________She is a doctor_________________________

2.2. They(f) are doctors_____________________They(f) are doctors_____________________

3.3. She is a good doctor____________________She is a good doctor____________________

4.4. She is a bad doctor_____________________She is a bad doctor_____________________

5.5. He is a musician_______________________He is a musician_______________________

6.6. They(m) are musicians__________________They(m) are musicians__________________

7.7. He is a good musician___________________He is a good musician___________________

8.8. He is a bad musician____________________He is a bad musician____________________

9.9. You(inf) are a policeman_________________You(inf) are a policeman_________________

If you have more than one adjective, place them after the profession and join them with the conjunction y (and)

Karina es una escritora buena y alta (after profession)

Mirna y yo somos unos cocineros buenos y bajos

Ex: Laura es una bailarina buena e inteligente

Jose y Juan son unos arquitectos altos y morenos

Ejercicios:

Ana and Ramon are short and ugly teachers_____________________________________

If you have more than one adjective, place them after the profession and join them with the conjunction y (and)

Karina es una escritora buena y alta (after profession)

Mirna y yo somos unos cocineros buenos y bajos

Ex: Laura es una bailarina buena e inteligente

Jose y Juan son unos arquitectos altos y morenos

Ejercicios:

Ana and Ramon are short and ugly teachers_____________________________________

*When joining two words with “y” you have to use “e” if the second word begins with “i”.

EjerciciosEjercicios

TranslateTranslate

1.1. Gabriela and I are nice and bald Gabriela and I are nice and bald dancers______________________________dancers______________________________

2.2. Yolanda is a Yolanda is a composer_____________________________composer_____________________________

3.3. We(f) are We(f) are sculptors_____________________________sculptors_____________________________

4.4. Benito and Karina are courageous and blonde Benito and Karina are courageous and blonde surgeons_____________________________ surgeons_____________________________

Write and translate the following Write and translate the following sentences and turned them in.sentences and turned them in.

1.1. Robert is a surgeon.Robert is a surgeon.2.2. We (m) are architects.We (m) are architects.3.3. Our mother is a lawyer.Our mother is a lawyer.4.4. Their parents are scientists.Their parents are scientists.5.5. Your (inf) nephew is a good actor.Your (inf) nephew is a good actor.6.6. His daughter is a good student.His daughter is a good student.7.7. They (f) are good and nice dentists.They (f) are good and nice dentists.8.8. Tim is a bad carpenter.Tim is a bad carpenter.9.9. You (formal) are a bad and arrogant actress.You (formal) are a bad and arrogant actress.10.10. Their nephew is a smart and young banker.Their nephew is a smart and young banker.

4) Nationality

Use ser when describing someone’s nationality. Do not capitalize adjectives of nationality in the Spanish language.

Tomas es cubano. (Thomas is Cuban)

Ursula y tú son chilenos (Ursula and you are Chilean)

Laura y yo somos guatemaltecos (Laura and I are

Guatemalan)

Tú eres colombiano. (You are Colombian)

Ellos son peruanos. (They are Peruvian)

EjerciciosEjercicios

TranslateTranslate

1.1. I am Dominican________________________I am Dominican________________________

2.2. She is Spanish_________________________She is Spanish_________________________

3.3. You(formal) are English__________________You(formal) are English__________________

4.4. They(m) are Costa Rican________________They(m) are Costa Rican________________

5.5. The students(m) are The students(m) are Ecuatorian____________________________Ecuatorian____________________________

6.6. Mariela and I are Mariela and I are Panamenian__________________________Panamenian__________________________

Write and translate the following Write and translate the following sentences and turn them insentences and turn them in

1.1. You (inf) are Spanish.You (inf) are Spanish.2.2. We (m) are Cuban.We (m) are Cuban.3.3. They (f) are Peruvian.They (f) are Peruvian.4.4. She is Mexican.She is Mexican.5.5. You (pl) are Colombian.You (pl) are Colombian.6.6. He is Venezuelan.He is Venezuelan.7.7. Our aunts are Dominican.Our aunts are Dominican.8.8. Lisa is Honduran.Lisa is Honduran.9.9. Your (formal) sister is Puerto Rican.Your (formal) sister is Puerto Rican.10.10. Their teachers are Argentinean.Their teachers are Argentinean.

5) With the preposition de (of/from) for origin, or to say what something is made of.

*Countries are capitalized in both languages.

Susana es de Peru (Susana is from Peru)

Tú y yo somos de México (You and I are from Mexico)

Translate:

1. I am from Guatemala__________________________

2.She is from Argentina__________________________

3.We(f) are from Gulfport________________________

4.Leticia and Veronica are from Puerto Rico_______________________________________

Use Use dede to say what something is made of. to say what something is made of. The material should be kept in the singular The material should be kept in the singular form.form.

La casa La casa eses dede madera (The house is made of madera (The house is made of wood wood oror the wood house) the wood house)

Las escuelas Las escuelas sonson dede ladrillo (The schools are ladrillo (The schools are made of brick made of brick oror the brick schools) the brick schools)

Translate the following:Translate the following:1.1. The gold watch or the watch is made of The gold watch or the watch is made of

gold._________________________________gold._________________________________2.2. The wood door or the door is made of The wood door or the door is made of

wood________________________________wood________________________________3.3. The glass window or the window is made of The glass window or the window is made of

glass________________________________glass________________________________

Write and translate the following Write and translate the following sentences and turn them insentences and turn them in

1. Rita is from M1. Rita is from México.éxico.2. The widow is from Venezuela.2. The widow is from Venezuela.3. We (f) are from Argentina.3. We (f) are from Argentina.4. Our principal (m) is from Bolivia.4. Our principal (m) is from Bolivia.5. My sister in law is from Costa Rica.5. My sister in law is from Costa Rica.6. The podium is made of wood. 6. The podium is made of wood. (or the wood podium)(or the wood podium)

7. The school is made of cinder block.7. The school is made of cinder block.8. The books are made of paper.8. The books are made of paper.9. The flags are made of plastic.9. The flags are made of plastic.10. The student desk is made of metal. 10. The student desk is made of metal.

6) Religious or political affiliation. Don’t use indefinite articles unless you use an adjective.

Irma es demócrata. (Irma is a democrat)

Irma es una buena demócrata. (Irma is a good democrat)

Jose es republicano. (Jose is a republican)

Jose es un buen republicano. (Jose is a good republican)

Demócrata- democrat Independiente-independent

Republicano(a)-republican Liberal-liberal

Católico(a)- catholic Metodista - Methodist

Bautista-baptist Judío(a)- Jew

Testigo de Jehová- Jehovah witness

EjerciciosEjercicios

Translate the following:Translate the following:1.1. Mr. Smith is Mr. Smith is

Methodist_________________________Methodist_________________________2.2. The principal is The principal is

Baptist___________________________Baptist___________________________3.3. We are catholic____________________We are catholic____________________4.4. They are republican_________________They are republican_________________5.5. You (pl) are You (pl) are

independent_______________________independent_______________________

7) To tell time, date, days of the week, and seasons.

Es lunes. Es martes. Es miércoles. Es jueves.

Es viernes. Es sábado. Es domingo

Start with the day of the week, day of the month, the month, and finish with the year. Don’t capitalize months.

Today is Sunday, June 7, 2009.

Hoy es domingo 7 de junio de 2009

Today is Saturday, November 14, 2002

Hoy es sábado 14 de noviembre de 2002

10/12/07. Doce de octubre de 2007

4/28/04. Veintiocho de abril de 2004

Meses del aMeses del año.ño.

JanuaryJanuary eneroenero 7/6/00____________________ 7/6/00____________________

FebruaryFebruary febrerofebrero 9/10/98____________________9/10/98____________________

MarchMarch marzomarzo 11/8/05____________________11/8/05____________________

AprilApril abrilabril 2/6/08_____________________2/6/08_____________________

MayMay mayomayo 4/3/01_____________________4/3/01_____________________

JuneJune juniojunio 5/12/03____________________5/12/03____________________

JulyJuly juliojulio 1/10/08___________________ 1/10/08___________________

August August agostoagosto 4/11/02___________________ 4/11/02___________________

September septiembreSeptember septiembre Es invierno (It is winter)Es invierno (It is winter)

OctoberOctober octubreoctubre Es verano (It is summer)Es verano (It is summer)

November noviembreNovember noviembre Es primavera (It is spring)Es primavera (It is spring)

DecemberDecember diciembrediciembre Es otoño (It is autumn/fall) Es otoño (It is autumn/fall)

Fill in the blanks with the correct Fill in the blanks with the correct conjugation of the verb SERconjugation of the verb SER

Yo___ maestro de historia y mi esposa___ cocinera. Mi Yo___ maestro de historia y mi esposa___ cocinera. Mi madre___ secretaria y mi padre___ ingeniero. Mis madre___ secretaria y mi padre___ ingeniero. Mis padres___ de Cuba pero yo___ de Costa Rica. Mis padres___ de Cuba pero yo___ de Costa Rica. Mis hijos___de Argentina, y mi esposa___de Perhijos___de Argentina, y mi esposa___de Perú. ú.

Mi suegra___muy graciosa, su nombre es Gabriela. Mi Mi suegra___muy graciosa, su nombre es Gabriela. Mi suegro no__ gracioso; El nombre de mi suegro es suegro no__ gracioso; El nombre de mi suegro es Antonio. Él___ antipático. Antonio. Él___ antipático.

Mis hijos___ altos y delgados. Sus nombres___ Gerardo Mis hijos___ altos y delgados. Sus nombres___ Gerardo y Andrea. Mi esposa___ baja y morena. Su nombre__y Andrea. Mi esposa___ baja y morena. Su nombre__

Margarita. Yo___ alto y delgado como mis hijos, y mi Margarita. Yo___ alto y delgado como mis hijos, y mi nombre___ Arturo. nombre___ Arturo.

Telling time. La hora = The time

¿Qué hora es? ¿Qué horas son? = What time is it?

Es temprano It is early

Es tarde It is late

La tarde The afternoon

En la tarde In the afternoon

de la tarde (pm) in the afternoon/ of the afternoon

Mañana Tomorrow

En la mañana In the morning

de la mañana (am) in the morning / of the morning

En punto Sharp / o’clock

El día the day

La noche the night

En la noche In the night

de la noche (pm) in the night / of the night

12:00pm Noon Mediodía

12:00am Midnight Medianoche

de la madrugada of dawn

*Use es when referring to “one o’clock” and use son when referring to all other hours. La and las are used before the hour because they refer to “la hora” (fem).

Es la una It is one o’clock

Son las dos It is two o’clock

EjerciciosEjercicios

1.1. 1:001:00

2.2. 1:00am1:00am

3.3. 1:00pm1:00pm

4.4. 5:005:00

5.5. 6:00am6:00am

6.6. 6:00pm6:00pm

7.7. 9:00am9:00am

8.8. 9:00pm9:00pm

*Use “y cuarto” (a quarter) to show 15 minutes. “Y cuarto” is used because if you divide the 60 minutes in quarters, one quarter equals 15.

1:15 Es la una y cuarto

2:15 Son las dos y cuarto

4:15 Son las cuatro y cuarto

9:15am Son las nueve y cuarto de la mañana

12:15pm Son las doce y cuarto de la tarde

5:15am Son las cinco y cuarto de la mañana

8:15pm Son las ocho y cuarto de la noche

Remember 4 = cuatro is different than ¼ = cuarto

EjerciciosEjercicios

1.1. 7:157:15

2.2. 8:15am8:15am

3.3. 5:15pm5:15pm

4.4. 10:15pm10:15pm

5.5. 2:15pm2:15pm

6.6. 11:15pm11:15pm

7.7. 4:15pm4:15pm

8.8. 10:15am10:15am

*Use “y media” (and a half) to show 30 minutes. “Y media” is used for the thirty minute mark because half of 60 minutes is thirty.

1:30 Es la una y media2:30 Son las dos y media6:30 Son las seis y media

1:30am Es la una y media de la mañana1:30pm Es la una y media de la tarde10:30am Son las diez y media de la mañana3:30pm Son las tres y media de la tarde8:30pm Son las ocho y media de la noche

EjerciciosEjercicios

1.1. 9:309:30

2.2. 7:30am7:30am

3.3. 4:30pm4:30pm

4.4. 2:30pm2:30pm

5.5. 10:30am10:30am

6.6. 11:30pm11:30pm

7.7. 6:30am6:30am

8.8. 12:30pm12:30pm

*Use the conjunction “y” to add minutes before the 30 minute mark. Use y from :01 to :14 and from :16 to :29

1:05 Es la una y cinco1:08 Es la una y ocho1:13 Es la una y trece2:10 Son las dos y diez7:16 Son las siete y dieciseis9:20 Son las nueve y veinte11:03 Son las once y tres

8:17pm Son las ocho y diecisiete de la noche3:28am Son las tres y veintiocho de la mañana5:14pm Son las cinco y catorce de la tarde

EjerciciosEjercicios

1.1. 1:00am1:00am

2.2. 6:15pm6:15pm

3.3. 10:30pm10:30pm

4.4. 4:03pm4:03pm

5.5. 8:10am8:10am

6.6. 2:05pm2:05pm

7.7. 12:17pm12:17pm

8.8. 9:15am9:15am

So far, you have learned that minutes :01 through :30 are added with “y” to la hora.

:01 to :14 add y

:15 add y cuarto

:16 to :29 add y

:30 add y media

*Minutes :31to :59 are going to be subtracted with “menos” (minus) from the next hour.

2:40 Son las tres menos veinte / It is 3 minus 20 min.

You can ask yourself how many more minutes we need to reach the next hour.

3:40 will be the same as saying it is twenty minutes until four or four minus twenty minutes (Son las cuatro menos veinte)

5:50 It is ten minutes until six or six minus ten

(Son las seis menos diez)

8:35 It is twenty five minutes until nine or nine minus twenty five (Son las nueve menos veinticinco)

Do the following exercises

9:49am

10:29pm

7:15pm

6:30pm

For :45 minutes you need to say “menos For :45 minutes you need to say “menos cuarto”. cuarto”.

3:45 Son las cuatro menos cuarto3:45 Son las cuatro menos cuarto8:45 Son las nueve menos cuarto8:45 Son las nueve menos cuarto12:45 Es la una menos cuarto12:45 Es la una menos cuarto

EjerciciosEjercicios7:457:459:459:4511:4511:4510:4510:45

EjerciciosEjercicios

1.1. 8:248:24

2.2. 7:407:40

3.3. 1:151:15

4.4. 9:379:37

5.5. 12:5012:50

6.6. 6:276:27

7.7. 2:452:45

8.8. 12:5812:58