How to Stop Translating in Your Head

If you want to master ser vs estar, there are a few important steps you need to take.
When you first learn about ser and estar you'll often find a long list of "rules". Often the "rules" come with a lot of exceptions.
But, the main problem is that if you spend too much time thinking about the rules or their exceptions, it will actually slow you down and make you less fluent.
In this video, you'll learn:
- How to avoid the "rules" trap
- How to improve your thinking with ser and estar
- How you can build your skills with ser and estar in a more effective way
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[@realfastspanish]

Have you been trying to learn ser vs estar using the "rules"? Did this video help you see things in a different light? Please share your thoughts below!

[@HennessyTheOne]

Yes This Video Helped Me A Lot Thanks Mate!

[@King-Cyrus.]

ty so much i have my cbe coming up

[@mercenarytao7930]

This was the most helpful language video I have ever seen. When children learn a language, they learn it by imitating others and repeating what they say. They aren't constantly second guessing themselves mid-conversation and thinking "is this temporary or permanent" or about any other logical rules. They are instead learning when to use the correct word in each given situation, what sounds natural to native speakers, and they are the fastest learners of a new language. As adults, we need to stop overthinking and instead just start practicing.

[@realfastspanish]

Exactly right, well said!! 👍

[@BadThrusher]

This is how I learnt English. My learning process was fluid and I never struggled, however I started learning French and it has been 4 years and I cannot express myself. I am now focusing on learning Spanish the way I did English and I am finding it easy

[@FrankKimono744]

I learn whole sentences saying them aloud. 5 days - 300 repetitions per day at least. Later I don't need to translate. I know the meaning of words straight away like in my native language. And also I remember the meaning longer than by learning separate words. This method is called: chunking. It was a real game changer in my learning process and communication skills in English and other languages.

[@axtrosz6239]

Native spanish speaker here, I easily spent 10-15 minutes trying to tell what you were trying to say in the "Estar is for places except..." part. I just failed to see where the confusion could be, guess it really shows how much you just "speak" your mother tongue and never think about it when compared to others. Good video.

[@legendaryone696]

bruuhhh 😩... it's like, in English "to be" is "to be". It doesn't make sense to separate it like that. So in English brain I'm trying say something "is" something and now I have to classify the type of "is" it is 😵‍💫😵‍💫😵‍💫, it's madness 😭. I'm almost thinking it's just not the same thing entirely.

[@Muhahahahaz]

@@legendaryone696Ser, o no ser?… Eso es la pregunta 🤔

[@markdonovan1540]

That's it in a nutshell! Rules are for breaking, it happens in English too. I find it easier to learn these by listening to how Spanish speakers use them, but even after over 20 years of speaking Spanish and over 10 years living in Madrid, I still make mistakes with ser and estar. Very rarely do I get corrected, and when I do they can't tell me why it should be that way. The stock answer is: pues, es así 😊

[@milly4556]

I saw a thing where to remember the difference, you can use an acronym ‘DOCTOR’ for ser and ‘PLACE’ for estar to remember their uses:- SER - for Descriptions, Origin, Characteristics, Time, Occupations & Relationships ESTAR - for Position, Location, Actions, Conditions & Emotions

[@realfastspanish]

Yes, I considered discussing this in the video. I don't like doctor and place because it's similar to permanent and temporary, it's extra thinking that will slow us down. If you want to say "I'm busy" you have to think: 1. Is it ser vs estar 2. What is "busy" 3. It's a condition 4. That's the "c" in place 5. therefore I need "estar" 6. I need the conjugation "estoy" Instead, it's better to just practice "estoy ocupado" over and over so you can just pull it from your mind when you need it.

[@Muhahahahaz]

Perfect! Now all I have to do is spell DOCTOR and PLACE real quick any time I want to use the verb “to be” in Spanish. Easy peasy! Muy rápido 😅 I tease, of course. As someone around the A2/B1 level, I do love me some good grammar rules for classroom purposes, but I can see how it’s never going to work for real-time communication

[@Antoinemalone]

This was the most difficult, confusing yet helpful video I have ever seen. 😂😂 I was lost but I think I found myself. Learning Spanish is something else boy I tell you. Muy difícil!

[@crazyconan28]

Always motivating for me knowing that we're constant learners, no matter what skill or technique.

[@leonhopkins6409]

I have no clue where I would be with my Spanish if it wasn’t for you! Thanks so much!

[@realfastspanish]

You are so kind, thanks Leon! 🙏

[@floket100]

After eight years learning Spanish I don’t try anymore to learn the difference of ser and estar. In Flemish we don’t have anything like that. When I’m wrong they can correct me. I don’t bother anymore.

[@legendaryone696]

same 😩

[@billybradford]

Early on in this video, you showed a woman holding her head trying to get a handle on Ser / Estoy. That was exactly my look this morning with my maestra. Es muy deficil! Gracias por la informacion!

[@user-gt3kv6es1r]

This was the most comprehensive video about the differences between ser and estar. Thank you so much!!

[@carmenhorvath8748]

HAHAHAHA ! I love it. So true. I'm so happy I found this video, I think it will change my whole way of thinking / calculating the use of Estar vs Ser. Thank you for the lesson and the great humour 😄

[@bradhenry2031]

Really well done . Ser and Estoy has been a constant problem for me. I was laughing like crazy with you example. Thanks for sharing.

[@pegross8652]

Thanks for this helpful explanation, Andrew. I find your short videos immensely helpful!

[@artsygirll2010]

I stumbled upon your channel and so glad that I did. I have been very confused with Ser & Estar with one being permanent and the other temporary. Your video is so helpful and does clear some of the confusion. I've just subscribed to your channel and will check out your other videos. Thank you!

[@GetGwapThisYear]

The hardest part of learning for me is how quickly Spanish is spoken 😂. I can’t always determine what words are in a sentence until one I’m familiar with jumps out. Until then it might as well be one long word 😂

[@Muhahahahaz]

Exactamente! Siempre me da dificultad

[@Muhahahahaz]

Yo prefiero leer y escribir, aunque no tengo muchos oportunidades para hablar o escuchar

[@lunar7237]

Me too!! It’s so fast that the smaller words just speed past my brain and I don’t even hear it. It’s crazy lol

[@250plans]

The best video on this topic that I have found so far. Thank you a lot!

[@ralphotero8532]

There are many variations in the use of "ser" and "estar". You have correctly indicated that students of the language are best served by copying the way that many native speakers use these words in normal conversation . however, there is a rule that many native speakers use incorrectly. I'm referring to the rule that distinguishes more or less permanent aspects of your self from temporary states of being. For instance to say that you're a man you would never say "estoy un hombre" . You would say "Soy un hombre sincero" Now, being a man is a temporary condition since we all are mortal and will die some day. But within the scope of our lives our gender is a rather permanent condition, notwithstanding sex change operations. Yet I hear many native Spanish speakers say something like "Soy conciente de lo que estan tramando mis enemigos". To be aware of something is a temporary condition thus the correct formulation of this sentence should be "Estoy conciente..." Do not fall victim to the idea that native speakers of any language are infallible just because they've been speaking the language their whole lives. If this were the case, you wouldn't need to send your children to school, they would simply absorb the linguistic conventions of their language as if by osmosis.

[@SupremelyBX]

This 💯. I'm not a fan of this video. The suggestion to just memorize how native speakers use it when it can vary so much for country to country is a bad idea. The examples provided would have been put to better use if an attempt was made to explain the subtle differences in meaning. Por ejemplo: "¿Dónde es la fiesta?" "Es en la discoteca" "¿Dónde está la fiesta?" "Está al fondo de la discoteca ". Hopefully the difference in meaning is clear.

[@oswaldgutierrez2207]

@@SupremelyBXWell, the impression that I get from those examples, is that the difference between “¿Dónde está la fiesta?” and “¿Dónde es la fiesta?” is that when you use “está” sounds more like you got to the place of the party and you got the surprise of not finding the party there, so you ask “¿Dónde está la fiesta?” because you get the feeling that it moved from where it was supposed to be. In the case of “¿Dónde es la fiesta?” you ask with “es” because you’re aware of exactly where it’s gonna be, so the word “es” expresses that that location is a characteristic of it.

[@galloitaliano27VEVO]

Lo leo y no lo creo 😂😂. Un extranjero diciéndonos cómo debemos hablar, imagino que tú lo entiendes mejor que nosotros, no? Para tu información: Soy consciente y estoy consciente NO significan lo mismo! No es lo mismo decir: Soy consciente a soy conciencia… “Estoy consciente” significa que no has perdido el conocimiento, por ejemplo si te dan un golpe en la cabeza y te hablan y tú respondes significa que no te desmayaste, me entendiste? “Soy consciente” significa que te conoces a ti mismo al punto en que reconoces tu virtudes y defectos, tus capacidades, tus cualidades. Esto es porque tu haces una introspección de tu persona y luego sacas conclusiones. A ver, yo tengo una pregunta si decir “soy consciente” es incorrecto según tú, entonces la siguiente frase dime cómo debe decirse: 1. “Juan es un hombre consciente”. o 2. Juan está un hombre consciente” Cuál es la correcta, amiguito? No es tan fácil como parece verdad, amiguito? 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂.

[@skobielalternativo]

Mis sinceras felicitaciones por hacer referencia a la expresión "matar el tiempo". Como dato curioso, cada vez que usaba esa expresión de joven, mi padre respondía: "No digas eso. El tiempo es algo muy valioso para matarlo".

[@jaqpenwell443]

¡Que consejo excelente! 'Ser' y 'Estar' me ha confundido siempre y me han dado estrés porque hay tantas excepciones a las reglas y nunca puedo recordarlas. Mucho mejor que no se preocupe con ellas sino aprender por escuchar a y leer ejemplos, entonces se puede repetir y practicarlos por su mismo. ¡Muchísimas gracias profe! Y me encanta la comedieta también ;-D (por cierto, cometo muchos errores con mi español, si hay alguien que quisiera corregirme, ¡por favor que lo haga! ;-)

[@ramoncornejo2359]

Es increible el nivel de manejo de mi idioma que usted a logrado Sr. Barr no me cabe duda que sus alumnos llegarán un día a dominarlo teniendo un profesor así.

[@jackgreenhalgh7664]

such a good perspective - thank you

[@lynpayne3667]

Thank you so much; you explain things so well (and I need all the help I can get!)

[@realfastspanish]

Thanks Lyn! 😊

[@chrisjpg]

I like your videos very much and the way you explain. I am a native Spanish speaker and I teach Spanish and your videos have helped me build a better teaching method. Nevertheless, I have a big question... What does: "Es 400 pesos" mean? For me it makes sense: "Son 400 pesos" but not "es". Es un peso would make sense to me. Gracias y mucho éxito.

[@paulbrungardt9823]

Okay-- I don't give complements-but here it goes--Well Done !

[@realfastspanish]

Thanks for the complement Paul, I appreciate it! 🙏

[@OptiInfo00]

2:01 En este caso diria que esa respuesta depende del contexto, por ejemplo si estas recibiendo invitados dirias algo como "sigan, la fiesta es en el jardín" Lo que la chica dice "la fiesta está en el jardín" quizá lo podría interpretar como una respuesta a un entrometimiento o alguna cosa asi de novela mexicana

[@eziola]

Agreed! Love these 10-15 minute videos

[@realfastspanish]

Thanks Eric! 😊

[@Totaldramarandomdawn4ever]

Este video es muy bueno y interesante

[@realfastspanish]

¡Gracias Matthew! 😊

[@paulbvid]

Tú eres un profesor mi favorito y desde empecé aprender español todos cosas que aprendí de(desde?) ti nunca he olvidado y siempre le encontró útil. Gracias por tu lecciones que son claro y divertido.

[@mariannerady1137]

fantastic video, thank you so much!

[@realfastspanish]

Thanks for the feedback Marianne! 😊

[@debbiegirard6702]

It seems that you’re suggesting we just have to practice and memorize saying things that correctly uses ser and estar. I get it though that thinking about which to use will bog you down.

[@realfastspanish]

That's exactly right Debbie! 😊

[@raposa5274]

U got me more confused

[@yorkhunt1251]

clear as mud. 😵‍💫 I think I learnt something.

[@realfastspanish]

I'm glad to hear it! 😊

[@user-yn3yb7zc8g]

Parece que esta siendo complicado el uso de ser vs estar. Lo que viene siendo una cuestión de estar atento más que ser estricto con las reglas. (Just for you!) No seas tontaina y recapacita antes de decir que eres malo cuando realmente lo que estás es malo, siento un loco pero sin estarlo continuamente. La verdad es que nunca había oído hablar de lo de temporal y permanente. Pero con respecto a lugares, cuando es por allí implica una vaguedad, un más o menos. Mientras que si está allí, es un sitio exacto. Al menos mientras no digas está por ahí/allí La preposición juega un papel importante a la hora de modificar el significado y “por” se las trae a la hora de quitar exactitud a las expresiones: lo tiré allí vs lo tiré por allí.

[@webgophers]

Love it!!

[@emathionsonofeos.1547]

If you ever have the chance to go over Que and De Que, that would be amazing :)

[@jorgegarcia7130]

I'm spanish and it's complicate explain any rule about when uses ser or estar, maybe estar is in some cases similar to ubicate but not always work so the only way is listen and listen and memorize when uses one and other one, no better rule to give 😢

[@telekinetika]

I´ve heard people explaning that Ser is permanent y Estar is temporary but it is not correct.

[@trevormunro1834]

What about the song ‘Si no te hubieras ido, sería tan feliz’?

[@georgefarrington895]

Always good content, a little slower would be helpful thank you.

[@TriviRocks]

You can adjust the speed of the ivdeo. As a Spanish speaker, I assure you he speaks VERY slowly 😂

[@PepperWilliams_songcovers]

Demasiado reglas para mi!!

[@thebigcanoftuna]

We need more skits in this channel

[@realfastspanish]

😂 Noted.

[@Rachel-dt7yt]

the video clips are from which movie or TV show? I recognize the actor I want to watch it

[@lauriedavis7471]

I think I am more confused now 😔

[@realfastspanish]

What are you confused about?

[@waynesgrid49]

looking for an advanced SER video, are there any out there? conditional, imperfect subjunctive, imperfect, etc. thanks for any help

[@Jaime-jf3dl]

“Ser” expresses what is consubstantial to the subject, and “estar” expresses what is circumstantial to the subject. That is the only proper rule with which we can explain more than 90% of the cases. All the lists full of exceptions you might find on the Internet are useless. I recommend you this book: "Qué gramática enseñar, qué gramática aprender".

[@theresatomasello1843]

Ahora no me estoy confundida porque soy inteligente y también estoy buena. 😉

[@theresatomasello1843]

Nittus, haha estaba bromeando. ¿No viste mi emoji donde estoy parpadeando?

[@jonldavis]

Too early for me to know what sounds right, back to trying to figure out which one to use.

[@octopi6462]

For cost I would just use "cuesta_ instead of trying to guess ser or estar.

[@realfastspanish]

That works too!! 😊

[@RebelWithoutABoss]

"Make your bed" follows the rule. What you're saying is make you bed "tidy". That means you're creating a state of tidiness.

[@msf2126]

well, perhaps its too soon for me .but i'm now a little More confused then i was when i found the video

[@lysvelez]

“Ser” is “to be” “Estar” is “was” “Ser” also refers to people. “Estar” refers to places or positions. “Estas en el baño?” - “Are you in the bathroom?” “Soy una jovencita.” - “I am a young girl.”

[@zynabelchref-ef8vv]

😂😂يالهوي

[@bienvenidospanish7463]

Simplified Estar: the State of someone or something. Ser: what someone or something is. Location Estar but Ser if you can sell tickets for it. 😁

[@squirrelattackspidy]

I don't need no stinking rules. Donde estudios ustedes?

[@realfastspanish]

Nice 👍

[@squirrelattackspidy]

You are too kind. I know ny Spanish sucks but the rules are so confusing! :)

[@samchangyz1974]

All the rules have exceptions Dont split the hair.

[@realfastspanish]

It depends how we "define" the rules.

[@samchangyz1974]

I meant rules.

[@samchangyz1974]

I am using Rocket Spanish, because I got sick of youtubers

[@thomasjoseph9224]

Talk slower. My gosh

[@jesseswanson4300]

Never heard of pause?

[@thomasjoseph9224]

@@jesseswanson4300 that’s ridiculous. If you’re learning, you should be mindful and slow it down. Grow up.

[@nshafeeh1181]

Muy bueno👍