If estar is to be used with a location, why use ser to discuss where one is from?
To say where you are from in Spanish, you use (Yo) soy de + [city/country/region]. Read and listen to these examples:
To ask where are you from? you can use either the informal tú form (eres), or the formal usted form (es).
In Spanish, you can omit the pronoun yo (I) and use the verb on its own, e.g. Soy de Madrid.
Learn more about these related Spanish grammar topics
Examples and resources
Q&A Forum 4 questions, 8 answers
InmaKwiziq team member
Hola Greg
The second context (where you are from) is not so much about where something/someone is located; it is referring to the "origin" (in this case it is ser):
Estoy en Madrid (I am [located] in Madrid)
This one says where the person is physically.
Soy de Madrid (I am [originally] from Madrid)
This one doesn't say where the person is physically, but where he/she comes from.
Un saludo
Inma
RoxanaKwiziq community member
Because ser is to be in a situation that does not change. You will be for ever from your birthtown. But estar is to be in a situation that does change. Today you are in Madrid, tomorrow you are in New York.
Greg asked:View original
Soy vs estoy
If estar is to be used with a location, why use ser to discuss where one is from?
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RekhaKwiziq community member
Soy de India. Tengo 38 años. Me gusta mucho a aprender Español. Quiero aprender mucho de sus lecciones
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DoraKwiziq community member
Soy Canada tengo 67 de edad. Tengo un accidente cerebral, por lo tanto parezco muy lentamente. Estoy estudiando hace muchas años y me encanta
Asked 1 year ago
InmaKwiziq team member
Hola Dora,
It's great to hear you are enjoying learning Spanish with us!
Muchas gracias por tu comentario.
Un saludo
Inma
Dora asked:View original
Soy Canada tengo 67 de edad. Tengo un accidente cerebral, por lo tanto parezco muy lentamente. Estoy estudiando hace muchas años y me encanta
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VernonKwiziq community member
Do you have to use "usted"
It appears that the word tú is dropped from the phrase ¿De dónde eres? Can you also drop usted and just say ¿De dónde es?
Asked 1 year ago
¡Hola Vernon! Yes, you can use the subject pronouns for each sentence or omit them. It is more natural to omit them unless you want to reinforce who is carrying out the action. Silvia.
Rick RicarditoKwiziq community member
El el kwiz, no indicó cuál persona, y por eso "es" o "eres" podía ser correcto.
Vernon asked:View original
Do you have to use "usted"
It appears that the word tú is dropped from the phrase ¿De dónde eres? Can you also drop usted and just say ¿De dónde es?
Don't have an account yet? Join today
