Ser vs Estar in Spanish: Using ser in Spanish (not estar) to introduce people

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Ser vs Estar in Spanish: introducing people

We use the verb ser (not estar) to introduce people, or introduce yourself.

Read and listen to these examples:

Esta es mi hermana Luisa.This is my sister Luisa.

Este es Daniel, mi novio.This is Daniel, my boyfriend.

Estos son mis amigos, David y Tomás.These are my friends, David and Tomás.

Hola, soy Javier.Hi, I'm Javier.

See also Conjugate ser in the present tense in Spanish (El Presente).

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Examples and resources

Esta es mi hermana Luisa.This is my sister Luisa.
Este es Daniel, mi novio.This is Daniel, my boyfriend.
Estos son mis amigos, David y Tomás.These are my friends, David and Tomás.
Hola, soy Javier.Hi, I'm Javier.
Ser vs Estar in Spanish: Using ser in Spanish (not estar) to introduce people
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How do you say "These are John’s neighbours."?

Q&A Forum 3 questions, 3 answers

D. A.A2Kwiziq Q&A regular contributor

To be verb or demonstrative pronoun?

never mind, I see what I did wrong (i do not see a way to delete a question)

Asked 2 years ago
D. A. asked:

To be verb or demonstrative pronoun?

never mind, I see what I did wrong (i do not see a way to delete a question)

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Anne B.A2Kwiziq community member

Youngest daughter: pequña or mas joven

Hello,

One of the questions involved translating a sentence that mentions a “youngest daughter.” I used “muy joven” but the answer was “pequeño.” I thought that pequeño means small, so this use of the word surprises me. Is it just one of those things one has to know?

Thanks for your help!

Anne 

Asked 3 years ago
InmaKwiziq Head of Spanish, Native Spanish TeacherCorrect answer

Hola Anne

Yes, it's one of those you have to know : ))

In Spanish, to refer to your youngest child you normally say: 

mi hijo pequeño 

mi hija pequeña

This is understood as your youngest (among several children)

If you want to refer to your oldest child, then you say:

mi hijo mayor

mi hija mayor

Mayor could also be the comparative adjective to say "older"; for example:

Carmen es mayor que Juan.

Carmen is older than Juan.

But in that context, talking about your oldest child, you also use it to say "oldest".

I hope this clarified it.

Saludos

Inma

Anne B. asked:

Youngest daughter: pequña or mas joven

Hello,

One of the questions involved translating a sentence that mentions a “youngest daughter.” I used “muy joven” but the answer was “pequeño.” I thought that pequeño means small, so this use of the word surprises me. Is it just one of those things one has to know?

Thanks for your help!

Anne 

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Gary D.C1Kwiziq community member

Why isn't "a" used to introduce people and pets with ser?

Asked 6 years ago
InmaKwiziq Head of Spanish, Native Spanish Teacher

Hola Gary

Can you be more specific? What do you mean by using "a" here?

Inma

Gary D.C1Kwiziq community member

How do you say "These are Milo and Ted, my dogs"

Correct answer: Estos son Milo y Ted, mis perros.

Why isn't the correct answer Estos son a Milo y Ted, mis perros?

Why isn't the personal "a" used? Or is it just eliminated when used with ser?

Gary D. asked:

Why isn't "a" used to introduce people and pets with ser?

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