Taking a look at ser vs. estar...
One of the first things we learn to say in Spanish is:
¡Hola! ¿Cómo estás? (Hello! How are you?)
Along with equivalent variations:
¿Qué tal?
¿Qué pasa?
¿Qué onda? (Latin America)
¿Qué hay de nuevo?
So now, let's answer the question...
¿Cómo eres? (How are you?)
The answer to this question will help to better understand
ser vs. estar
If someone asked me to describe myself (¿Cómo eres?), I would say:
Soy amable, simpática, lista, creativa y atlética.
Adjectives to use with "ser" to describe oneself:
agradable (nice; agreeable) // desagradable (unpleasant)
alegre; feliz (happy) //infeliz (unhappy); triste (sad)
amable (kind) // poco amable (unkind)
amoroso/a (loving) // sin amor (unloving)
artístico/a (artistic)
atlético/a (athletic) // torpe (clumsy)
bondadoso/a (kind) // egoísta (selfish)
bueno/a (good) // malo/a (bad) --> shortened to "buen" or "mal" when used before a masculine singular noun
cálido/a (warm; kind) // frío/a (cold; unfriendly)
callado/a (quiet; reserved; shy)
cariñoso/a (affectionate; kind; loving) // poco cariñoso/a (unloving)
chistoso/a; gracioso/a (funny) // serio/a (serious)
considerado/a (considerate; thoughtful) // desconsiderado/a (inconsiderate)
cortés (polite; courteous) // descortés (impolite)
creativo/a (creative)
cruel (cruel)
deportista (sporty)
de trato fácil (easygoing) // difícil (difficult)
educado/a (polite; well-mannered) // maleducado/a (impolite)
extrovertido/a (extroverted; extrovert; outgoing) // introvertido/a (introverted; introvert; reserved)
fiable; de confianza (trustworthy; reliable) //poco fiable; de poca confianza (untrustworthy; unreliable)
fiel (faithful) // infiel (unfaithful)
generoso/a (generous) // tacaño/a (stingy); agarrado/a (stingy; cheap (colloquial))
grosero/a (rude)
inteligente (intelligent) // poco inteligente (unintelligent)
interesante (interesting) // aburrido/a (boring; dull)
leal (loyal) // desleal (disloyal)
listo/a (smart) // estúpido/a (stupid); idiota (idiotic)
el/la optimista (optimist) // el/la pesimista (pessimist)
organizado/a (organized) // desorganizado/a (disorganized)
paciente (patient) // impaciente (impatient)
positivo/a (positive; optimistic) // negativo/a (negative; pessimistic)
el/la realista (realist; pragmatic person) // el/la idealista (idealist)
razonable (reasonable) // irrazonable (unreasonable)
respetuoso/a (respectful) // irrespetuoso/a (disrespectful)
sabio/a (wise; sensible) // tonto/a (foolish; dumb)
seguro/a (confident) // inseguro/a (insecure)
sensato/a (sensible; prudent) // insensato/a (fool; imprudent person; senseless)
sensible (sensitive) // insensible (insensitive)
simpático/a (nice, likable, friendly, kind) // antipático/a (unfriendly; unsympathetic; unpleasant)
tímido/a (shy; timid)
trabajador(a) (hard-working) // perezoso/a (lazy)
valiente (brave; courageous; valiant) // el/la cobarde (coward)
Among other things, "ser" can also be used to describe one's appearance:
atractivo/a (attractive) // poco atractivo/a (unattractive)
alto/a (tall)
bajo/a (short (in height))
bonito/a; lindo/a (pretty) // feo/a (ugly)
delgado/a (thin; slender) // gordo/a (fat; overweight)
flaco/a (thin; skinny)
guapo/a (handsome; good-looking)
*grande (big) // pequeño/a (small)
hermoso/a (beautiful)
Adjectives for hair color (or lack thereof):
moreno/a (brunette)
pelirrojo/a (red-haired)
rubio/a (blonde)
canoso/a (gray-haired)
calvo (bald); pelón (bald; bald man (Latin America))
Adjectives for skin color:
blanco/a (white; fair)
moreno/a (dark-skinned)
negro/a (black)
+ plus A LOT of colloquial/slang words that vary by country
*Note: When "grande" (big, large) appears before a singular noun, it is shorted to "gran" (great), and the meaning of the word changes.
i.e.: Scott es un gran hombre. (Scott is a great man.)
This compiled list of adjectives is not all inclusive. Just think of how many adjectives we use to describe ourselves and others in English! Remember, adjectives are words that describe people, places, and things.
No name calling. (Sin insultos.)
¡Sé amable! (Be kind!)
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