Coffee Break Spanish: 'Ser' vs. 'Estar' for Location

Episode: A Coffee Break with Anabel
Date: August 21, 2025
Host: Anabel, Coffee Break Languages

Overview

In this mini-lesson, Anabel dives into a common challenge for Spanish learners: understanding when to use "ser" vs. "estar" for expressing location. While most learners are taught to use "estar" for location, Anabel clarifies that "ser" is also used—but specifically for locating events. With helpful examples and quick exercises, this episode breaks down the rules, giving practical and memorable guidance.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

The Dual "To Be" Dilemma

• Anabel welcomes listeners and introduces the tricky nature of "to be" (ser/estar) in Spanish.
  • She promises a lesson that will clear up confusion about using these verbs with location.
  • (01:03)

When to Use "Estar" for Location

• "Estar" locates people and things:
  • Example 1: “¿Dónde está la biblioteca?” (Where is the library?) — Used for a physical place or object.
  • Example 2: “Los documentos estaban en el cajón.” (The documents were in the drawer.)
  • Explanation: “We use estar to locate.”
    • (02:12 - 02:36)

When to Use "Ser" for Location

• "Ser" locates events:

  • Clear distinction: Use “ser” only when the ‘thing’ being located is an event, not a person or object.
  • Example 1: “La reunión será en el despacho del jefe.” (The meeting will be in the boss's office.)
  • Example 2: “La fiesta fue en el jardín de Clara.” (The party was in Clara's garden.)
  • Explanation:
    • “If we want to locate an event, we must use ser.” (03:34)

• Typical events:

  • "Fiesta" (party), "reunión" (meeting), "boda" (wedding), "concierto" (concert), "cita" (date), etc.

• Key quote:

  • “This is going to happen when we are locating an event… we are going to be using ser.”
    • (02:56)

Practice Exercise: Ser or Estar?

• Anabel provides practice sentences in English; listeners decide whether to use ‘ser’ or ‘estar’:

  1. The book is on the table.
     • Correct: “El libro está sobre la mesa.” (Estar, because it’s a thing.)
     • (05:11)
  2. The concert is in the central park.
     • Correct: “El concierto es en el parque central.” (Ser, because it’s an event.)
     • (05:46)
  3. The date will be at a restaurant.
     • Correct: “La cita será en un restaurante.” (Ser, because it’s an event.)
     • (06:13)

• Summary Tip:

  • “Estar is used to locate people or things in the world and ser is used to locate events.”
    • (06:40)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

Clarifying the Rule:

• “You may have learned that estar is used for location and you are correct. However, what if I tell you we use ser for location too? No te preocupes porque tendra sentido. Don’t worry because all will make sense at the end of this episode.”
  • Anabel, (01:41)

Explaining with Examples:

• “Los documentos estaban en el cajón. The documents were in the drawer. Here again, we locate a thing... So, with these two examples, we can see that we use estar to locate.”

  • Anabel, (02:26)

• “La reunión será en el despacho del jefe… This is an event, so we must use ser for the location.”

  • Anabel, (03:14)

Practice and Encouragement:

• “Perfecto. I love practicing. I think that’s the best way to consolidate what we have learned.”

  • Anabel, (04:19)

• “Fantástico. Then remember, estar is used to locate people or things in the world and ser is used to locate events. Fantástico.”

  • Anabel, (06:40)

Essential Takeaways

• Use “estar” when you want to say where a person or thing is.
• Use “ser” for locating events—where they are happening or happened.
• This rule covers events like parties, meetings, concerts, and dates.

Timestamps for Key Segments

| Timestamp | Segment/Quote | |-----------|---------------------------------------------------------| | 01:03 | Anabel’s introduction and topic setup | | 02:12 | Using “estar” for physical location | | 02:56 | Introducing “ser” for locating events | | 03:14 | Event example: “La reunión será en el despacho...” | | 03:36 | Event example: “La fiesta fue en el jardín de Clara.” | | 04:19 | Practice session setup | | 05:11 | Practice: “The book is on the table.” | | 05:46 | Practice: “The concert is in the central park.” | | 06:13 | Practice: “The date will be at a restaurant.” | | 06:40 | Rule summary & final encouragement |

Final Note

Anabel closes with encouragement to practice, subscribe, and check out more resources for continued Spanish learning:

• “No te preocupes porque todo tendrá sentido. Don’t worry because all will make sense at the end of this episode.” (01:41)
• “Mucho ánimo y nos vemos en el próximo. Happy Coffee breaking.” (07:36)

This episode is a concise and practical crash course on a nuanced rule in Spanish, perfect for all levels but especially helpful for beginners aiming to master when to use ‘ser’ or ‘estar’ for locations.