Is This Correct? Es or Está
Learn about when and where to use es or está
Question
If you wanted to say:
She is very pretty tonight.
Would it be correct to say?
Ella es muy bonita este noche.
Answer
No! That is incorrect.
You would use está because she looks pretty tonight. Since this comment is about a temporary state (her appearance on this night), you use está.
Ella está muy bonita este noche.
We use es when referring to enduring characteristic and está when referring to temporary characteristics.
That fashion model? Ella es muy bonita.
Fashion models are generally pretty - it is their job!
Examples
Es:
El carro es rojo. (The car is red)
El hombre es Mexicano. (The man is Mexican)
El juego de fútbol es en el estadio. (The soccer game is in the Stadium.)
Está:
La niña está triste. (The girl is sad)
El día está soleado. (The day is sunny)
La sopa está caliente. (The soup is hot)
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