[SPEAKING SPANISH] Verbs with similar meanings. There are some Spanish verbs that have very similar meanings, but you do need to distinguish between them because they are used in different situations. You can always go back to the verb list as we go through these differences to remind yourselves of the conjugations. Many of them are irregular in conjugation.
Ser and estar-- these both mean to be. There have been dissertations written about the differences between these two. So I'm going to give you the Reader's Digest version. We use ser to describe the essence of something or someone. In other words, those kinds of things that don't change from day to day, that are more permanent in nature, that are more difficult and more costly to change-- for example, someone's name, profession, nationality, personality, physical characteristics, and things of that nature-- whereas estar describes the state of being of someone or something, something that is temporary-- so where you are, how you're feeling, what you're doing, those kinds of things that change frequently. So it's more temporary in nature. Here's an example-- [SPEAKING SPANISH] So when I described who I am, I use ser. When I describe what I'm doing, how I'm feeling, and where I am, I use estar.
There are many more uses for ser than for estar. So you'll see it used more often. But estar is used for location, condition, and action. [SPEAKING SPANISH] So where I am, how I'm feeling, and what I'm doing. You can remember it as the three "tions"-- condition, action, and location.
We taught you some descriptive adjectives, and there are certain ones that are used with ser and certain ones that are used with estar. So let's review. For these adjectives, which are described as permanent characteristics, you're going to use ser. Now while it is possible that something could change, it takes more time. And it's something that does not happen very quickly as far as these adjectives go. For example, if someone is tall today, it's very unlikely that that person will be short tomorrow, although of course a child does grow from being short to being relatively tall over much time. So you would use ser with these. I would say, [SPEAKING SPANISH] because those are not going to change overnight.
When describing a person to someone who does not know that person-- for example, if you describe one friend to another-- the kinds of things that you say about that person are typically things that you would use with ser. So the person's name, the person's profession, the person's nationality, physical characteristics, personality traits-- so in describing someone these are the kinds of things that you usually use with the verb ser. Also in describing the qualities of objects like a new item versus an old item, a sweet medicine versus a sour medicine-- [SPEAKING SPANISH] it's probably not going to be agrio tomorrow.
However, we use estar with these adjectives, which are classified as temporary characteristics because these are the kinds of things that do change fairly frequently. So sano versus enfermo-- you may have a patient who is enfermo-- estar enfermo-- but after taking the medication-- estar sano-- he's all better. So again these are considered temporary characteristics. They're considered conditions that are fairly easy to change.
Certain verbs in Spanish have very similar meanings. However, you do need to make a distinction between them since they are used differently. You can refer back to the verb list as you note these differences.
1a. Ser and Estar
Both ser and estar mean to be. "Ser" is used to describe the essence of something/someone, while "estar" is used to describe the state of being of something/someone.
In other words, "ser" is used to describe things that are more permanent and "estar" is used to describe things that are more temporary (like location and temporary conditions). "Ser" has many more uses and you will see examples of them throughout the rest of this program.
In the second module, you learned examples of descriptive adjectives. Now, you can look at some of those adjectives again to see whether they should be used with "ser" or "estar."
Examples of permanent characteristics (use "ser" with these adjectives):
Adjective | English Translation | Adjective | English Translation |
---|---|---|---|
grande | big | pequeño | small |
bueno | good | malo | bad |
alto | tall | bajo | short |
delgado | thin | gordo | fat |
joven | young | anciano | old (person) |
nuevo | new | viejo | old (object) |
dulce | sweet | agrio | sour |
caro | expensive | barato | inexpensive |
Examples of temporary characteristics (use "estar" with these adjectives):
Adjective | English Translation | Adjective | English Translation |
---|---|---|---|
sano | healthy | enfermo | sick |
mejor | better | peor | worse |
fuerte | strong | débil | weak |
relajado | relaxed | preocupado | worried |
The next two verbs that are similar are [SPANISH] and [SPANISH]. They both mean "to know." But there are different kinds of knowledge, and in Spanish, they reflect those differences with two different verbs. So you would use [SPANISH] to talk about people or places that you're familiar with. It has the essence of personal experience. So if you have experienced a place, if you've been there, if you know a person, you've met the person, you're familiar with that person, you would use [SPANISH].
Essentially, any time you can substitute "I'm familiar with" with "I know," you would use [SPANISH], whereas [SPANISH] is used when talking about facts-- so the kind of information that a computer could know-- for example, someone's weight and height, blood type, and allergies. Procedural knowledge is also used with [SPANISH] because you're saying you know how to do something, how to perform a task, which is more of a how-to, factual, step-by-step kind of knowledge.
So [SPEAKING SPANISH] She knows how to take the medication. Another example would be "The nurse knows that the patient is diabetic." [SPEAKING SPANISH]
Whereas [SPEAKING SPANISH] She knows Juan. Not she knows his blood type or his weight, but she knows him personally. He's a friend of hers. [SPEAKING SPANISH] The professor knows Buenos Aires because she's been there. She's experienced it. Again, [SPANISH] implies personal experience, being familiar with something or someone.
It's a little easier to distinguish between [SPANISH] and [SPANISH]. While they both mean "to fill," [SPANISH] is "to fill out," as in "to fill out a form," whereas [SPANISH] means "to fill," as in "to fill a prescription." Because you'll be using these two fairly frequently, do make sure that you understand the difference between them. So we would have [SPEAKING SPANISH] She fills out the form. Whereas [SPEAKING SPANISH] The pharmacist fills the prescription.
There are three verbs that mean "to return." [SPANISH], with a D-E in front, is the only one used when talking about returning an object for a refund. [SPEAKING SPANISH] He brings it back for a refund.
[SPANISH] and [SPANISH] are completely interchangeable. Use whichever one you like, but you need to know both because you'll hear both. They both mean "to return," as in a person returns to a place. [SPEAKING SPANISH] or [SPEAKING SPANISH]
Here's a good way to remember the meanings. [SPANISH] is "to regress." So if you were to go to a psychiatrist, they might do regression therapy, where you return to your childhood and blame your parents for everything. [SPANISH] is "to turn." So, for example, with a revolving door, if you were to go in the door, you would keep going around if you did not exit the door. My kids love to do this in public to embarrass me-- so, again, thinking of coming back to where you started, if you revolve.
[SPANISH] versus [SPANISH]-- [SPANISH] means "to ask a question." In fact, you probably heard, [SPANISH]? That's the noun form-- "questions?" Does anyone have questions? So the verb is [SPANISH]-- "to ask a question." Whereas [SPANISH] is "to ask for something," like a favor or an object.
So [SPEAKING SPANISH] I ask the patient what type of medical insurance she has. Whereas you would say, [SPEAKING SPANISH] She asks for another medication. In other words, she doesn't question the medication. She asks for another one.
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1b. Saber and Conocer
Saber and conocer both mean to know. Use "conocer" when stating that you know (are familiar with) a person or place. Use "saber" when speaking of factual or procedural knowledge.
Example Sentence | English Translation |
---|---|
Ella sabe tomar la medicina. | She knows how to take the medicine. |
Ella conoce a Juan. | She knows Juan. |
1c. Llenar and Surtir
Llenar and surtir both mean to to fill. However, "llenar" means "to fill out" as in a form, while "surtir" means "to fill" as in a prescription.
Example Sentence | English Translation |
---|---|
María llena la forma. | María fills out the form. |
Yo surto la receta. | I fill the prescription. |
1d. Volver, Devolver, and Regresar
Volver, devolver, and regresar all mean to return. Use "volver" or "regresar" when speaking of a person returning to a location. Use "devolver" to speak of an object that is being returned for a refund.
Example Sentence | English Translation |
---|---|
Yo vuelvo a casa. | I return home. |
Pepe devuelve la receta a la farmacia. | Pepe returns the prescription to the pharmacy. |
1e. Preguntar and Pedir
Preguntar and pedir both mean versions of to ask. "Preguntar" is used when asking a question, and "pedir" is used when asking for something, such as a favor or an object.
Example Sentence | English Translation |
---|---|
Yo pregunto a la paciente que tipo de seguro médico tiene. | I ask the patient what type of medical insurance she has. |
La paciente pide otro medicamento. | The patient asks for another medication. |
If you are struggling with a concept or terminology in the course, you may contact SpanishforNursesSupport@capella.edu for assistance.
If you are having technical issues, please contact learningcoach@sophia.org.
Source: This content has been adapted from "Spanish for Nurses" by Stephanie Langston.