be
Collins Spanish Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged 8th Edition 2005 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1971, 1988 © HarperCollins Publishers 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, 2000, 2003, 2005
You’re (looking) very slim
You look great in that dress!
• Other adjectives can also be used with both verbs but the use of ser describes a characteristic while the use of estar implies a change :
Are you ready?
• Some adjectives can be used with both ser and estar but the meaning changes completely depending on the verb:
It is a proven fact that vaccinations save many lives
It is understood that the work was never finished
• Ser and estar are both used in impersonal expressions with past participles. As above, the use of ser implies action while the use of estar implies result :
The floor is painted a dark colour
It was painted around 1925
The window was broken
The window was broken by the firemen
• Compare the use of ser + ((PAST PARTICIPLE)) which describes action and estar + ((PAST PARTICIPLE)) which describes result in the following:
We threw them away because they were broken
• Use estar with past participles to describe the results of a previous action or event:
! The passive is not used as often in Spanish as it is in English.
He was shot dead (by a terrorist group)
This play was written by Lorca
• Use ser in passive constructions:
We’re having lunch. Is it ok if I call you later?
! Feliz, however, which is seen as more permanent than contento, is used mainly with ser.
How happy I am!
The teacher is ill
• to talk about changeable state, condition or mood:
! But use ser with events in the sense of “take place” (see above) .
Your glasses are on the bedside table
“Where is Zaragoza?” – “It’s in Spain”
• to talk about location of places, objects and people:
! Compare this usage with that of estar (see below) to talk about location of places, objects and people.
“Where is the exam?” – “It’s in Room 1”
The 1992 Olympic Games were in Barcelona
• with events in the sense of “take place”:
This is your responsibility
• to indicate possession or duty:
He lived in the country when he was young
It’s very late. Let’s go home
It is ten o’clock
• when telling the time or talking about time or age:
It is obvious you don’t understand
NOTE Está claro que is an exception:
It is important to be on time
• with most impersonal expressions not involving past participles:
She was blonde
His mother is German
• to describe essential or inherent characteristics (e.g. colour, material, nationality, race, shape, size ):
He was the most hated man in the village
Paris is the capital of France
• when defining or identifying by linking two nouns or noun phrases:
if I were to leave the job, would you replace me?
if it was or were to snow
you must work harder if you are to succeed
it was not to be
they were never to return
this was to have serious repercussions
you weren’t to know
little traffic was to be seen
these birds are to be found all over the world
they are to be married in the summer
her house is to be sold
the talks are to start tomorrow
he is to be pitied
he was to have come yesterday
she wrote “My Life”, not to be confused with Bernstein’s book of the same name
am I to understand that …?
he is to be congratulated on his work
I wasn’t to tell you his name
I am not to speak to him
I am to do it
no debe abrirlo, que no lo abra
he’s not to open it
you’re to put on your shoes
you’re not ill, are you?
so he’s back again, is he?
she wasn’t happy, was she?
it was fun, wasn’t it?
“she’s pretty” – “no, she isn’t”
“is it what you expected?” – “no, it isn’t”
“he’s always late, isn’t he?” – “yes, he is”
-no está muy contento -¿ah, no?
“he isn’t very happy” – “oh, isn’t he?”
“they’re getting married” – “oh, are they?”
-no comes lo suficiente -que sí
“you’re not eating enough” – “yes I am”
“you’re tired” – “no, I’m not”
“I’m not ready” – “neither am I”
“I’m worried” – “so am I”
“he’s going to complain about you” – “oh, is he?”
he isn’t as happy as he was
he’s older than you are
he was driving too fast
The imperfect tense can be used for continuous action in the past:
I’ll be seeing you
I shall be seeing him
will you be needing more?
will you be seeing her tomorrow?
“it’s a pity you aren’t coming with us” – “but I am coming!”
Use the present simple to talk about planned future events and the ir a construction to talk about intention:
he was studying until the early hours
no me distraigas cuando estoy conduciendo
don’t distract me when I’m driving
what are you doing?
what’s to be done?
she was killed in a car crash
he was killed by a terrorist
it is said that
these cars are produced in Spain
the box had been opened
The passive is not used as often in Spanish as in English, active and reflexive constructions often being preferred:
the house was destroyed by an earthquake
if it hadn’t been for you or > had it not been for you, we would have lost
be that as it may
as things are
that dog of yours has been and dug up my flowers!
you’ve been and done it now!
to be or not to be
I’ve been to China
have you ever been to Glasgow?
I have been to see my aunt
he has been and gone
has the postman been?
how much is it?
the book is £20
how much was it?
(=) →there are three of us →
after the shop there’s the bus station
there were three of them
let there be light!
there being no alternative solution
there must be an explanation
there were six road accidents here last year
is there anyone at home?
there is nothing more beautiful
what is (there) in that room?
it was then that
why is it that she’s so successful?
it was Peter who phoned
it’s me who does all the work
it would be wrong for us to do that
it is unbelievable that
it is impossible to study all the time
it is possible that he’ll come
is it fair that she should be punished while …?
it is easy to make a mistake
is it certain that …?
it’s the 3rd of May
but note the following alternatives with estar :
it’s the 3rd of May
wake up, it’s morning
it’s morning in New York now
it’s eight o’clock
it’s too hot
we’ve been here for ages
he won’t be here tomorrow
it’s 5 km to the village
where is the Town Hall?
it’s on the table
Edinburgh is in Scotland
the service will be at St Ninian’s Church
when I was young
when I’m old
she will be two tomorrow
“how old is she?” – “she’s nine”
my feet are cold
In certain expressions where English uses be + adjective to describe feelings ( be cold / hot / hungry / thirsty ), Spanish uses tener with a noun:
I’m very well, thanks
how are you now?
how are you?
Use estar with past participles used as adjectives describing the results of an action or process:
the book is in French
I’m from the south
if I were rich
I used to be poor but now I’m rich
she is boring
it’s (made of) plastic
the sky is blue
2. ( possession ) → ser she’s his sister → es su hermana it’s mine → es mío
if I were you
you be the patient and I’ll be the doctor
who wants to be Hamlet?
it was me
it’s me!
two and two are four
he wants to be a doctor
it’s me →It’s the postman →
It’s too hot →it’s a nice day →it’s windy →it’s cold →It’s too cold →
it’s 5 o’clock →it’s the 28th of April →It’s the 28th of October todayit’s 10 km to the village →
Where have you been? →Have you been to Greece before? →I’ve never been to Paris →
Edinburgh is in Scotland →I won’t be here tomorrow
(=) →the prettiest girl that ever was →be that as it may →so be it →
(=) →How much was the meal? →That’ll be £5, please
How old are you? →I’m fourteen →I’m sixteen years old →
How are you? →He’s fine now →He’s very illI’ve been illto be not o.s.He’s not himself →
(=) 2 and 2 are 4 →
I’m English →I’m tired →You’re late →We are all happy →They are in Paris at the moment →She’s a doctor →He’s a student →I’m coldI’m hungry
if I were you, I … →if it wasn’t for you … →
The house is to be sold →He’s not to open it →He was to have come yesterday →am I to understand that … ? →
It was funny, wasn’t it? →She’s not coming, is she? →
to be killed →He was nowhere to be seen →
What are you doing? →They’re coming tomorrow →I’ve been waiting for you for 2 hours →
Collins German Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged 7th Edition 2005. © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1980 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1997, 1999, 2004, 2005, 2007
had it not been or if it hadn’t been for him
and even if it were not so
were it not for him, if it weren’t or wasn’t for him
were it not for my friendship with him
were it not for the fact that I am a teacher, I would …
who said it first
it was me or I
who found it
it was us or we
it is 5 km to the nearest town
tomorrow is Friday/the 14th of June
it is dark/morning
nearby there are two churches
there he was sitting at the table
(= here/there it is)
(= take this)
here/there you are
here is a book/are two books
= like to have
I’ve just been and (gone and) broken it!
now you’ve been and done it
he has been and gone
the milkman has already been
I’ve been to Paris
to be or not to be
be that as it may
let me/him be
the powers that be
we’ve been here a long time
he is there at the moment but he won’t be much longer
I’m going to Berlin — how long will you be there?
it’s all done, is it? — yes it is/no it isn’t
you’re not ill, are you? — yes I am/no I’m not
he’s never late, is he? — yes he is
he’s always late, isn’t he? — yes he is
in passive constructions →; (but I did) →
and were I or if I were to tell him?
if it were or was to snow
he was not to be persuaded
she was never to return
I wasn’t to tell you his name
he is not to open it
I am not to be disturbed
I am to look after her
was ist zu tun ?, was soll geschehen
what is to be done?
not to be confused with
he is to be pitied/not to be envied
she was to be/was to have been dismissed but …
the car is to be sold
they were to have been married last week
they are shortly to be married
I will not be intimidated
it is/was being repaired
the box had been opened
he was run over
I was packing my case when …
I’ve just been packing my case
Note the use of bei + infinitive:
you will be hearing from us
will you be seeing her tomorrow?
I have been waiting for you for half an hour
Note how German uses the present tense:
what are you doing?
Note how German uses the simple tense:
how are you for a beer?
but wasn’t she glad when …
was he pleased to hear it!
that book is your brother’s/his
two times two is or are four
how much is that?
he’ll be three next month
how old is she?
they were horrified
to be hungry/thirsty
she’s not at all well
I’m better now
how are you?
Note that the article is used in German only when the noun is qualified by an adjective.
he wants to be a doctor
he is a soldier/a German
if I were you
be sensible!
to be critical of
be
(
biː
) present tense am
(am)
are
(aː)
, is
(iz)
: past tense was
(woz)
, were
(wəː)
: present participle ˈbeing: past participle been
(biːn, (American) bin)
: subjunctive were
(wəː)
: short forms I’m
(aim)
(I am), you’re
(juə)
(you are), he’s
(hiːz)
(he is), she’s
(ʃiːz)
(she is), it’s
(its)
(it is), we’re
(wiə)
(we are), they’re
(θeə)
(they are): negative short forms isn’t
(ˈiznt)
(is not), aren’t
(aːnt)
(are not), wasn’t
(ˈwoznt)
(was not), weren’t
(wəːnt)
(were not) – verb1. used with a present participle to form the progressive or continuous tenses.
I’m reading;
I am being followed;
What were you saying?.
Ek lees. Ek word gevolg. Wat het jy gesê?
يَسْتَعْمَل لِبِناء الفِعْل المُضارِع المُسْتَمـر
спомагателен глагол за профължите��ни времена
estar (+ inf)
forma slovesa BE používaná k vytvoření průběhového času
sein
være i færd med
είμαιestar + gerundio
(kestev tegevus olevikus)
نشانه دستوری استمرار فعل
olla
êtreיש, היה , היו וכו’
होना
biti
van, létezik
berfungsi untuk menyatakan kalimat sedang
vera
stare
～である
[be doing]…하고 있는 중이다
sedang
zijnvære i ferd med , holde på medbyć, zostać
د فعل د دوام يا جريان نښه
estar a (+ inf)
быть
biti
biti
oöversatt hjälpverb
ใช้กับรูปกริยา present participle แสดงการกระทำที่กำลังเกิดขึ้นในปัจจุบัน
與現在分詞連用，構成進行式
у сполученні з present participle служить для утворення форми progressive чи continuous
ہوں
đang
是（与现在分词连用，构成进行式）
used with a present participle to form the progressive or continuous tenses.
2. used with a present participle to form a type of future tense.
I’m going to London.
Ek gaan Londen toe
يُسْتَعْمَل لِبِناء فِعْل المُسْتَقْبَل
спомагателен глагол за образуване на вид бъдеще време
ir (+inf)
forma slovesa BE používaná k vytvoření jednoho z budoucích časů
im Begriff sein zu
skulle
ir a + infinitivo
kavatsema
نشانه دستوری برای اشاره به آینده؛ قرار است
aikoa
aller
יִהיֶה, יִהיוּ וכו’ לִיְצִירַת עָתִיד
biti
akan
ég er að fara, ég ætla að fara
andare
～しようとしている
[be doing]…할 예정[작정]이다
akan
zullen
skal/skulle
د راتلونكي لپاره د اشاري نښه
ir
обозначает будущее время
hoću
skall el. oöversatt hjälpverb: jag åker till London
ใช้กับรูปกริยา present participle แสดงการกระทำที่จะเกิดขึ้นในอนาคต
與現在分詞連用，構成未來式
у сполученні з present participle служить для утворення форми future
ہوں
định; sẽ
与动词的现在分词连用，构成将来时
used with a present participle to form a type of future tense.
3. used with a past participle to form the passive voice.
He was shot.
Hy is geskiet
يستعمل لبناء صيغة يُسْتَعْمَل لِبِناء صيغَة المَجْهول
спомагателен глагол за образуване на пасивни конструкции
ser
být
wurde
blive; være
ser
(passiiv)
نشانه دستوری مجهول؛ شدن
tulla, joutua
êtreהיה , היתה וכו’ ליצירת עבר
bio je
berfungsi membentuk kalimat pasif
vera
essere; farsi
～される
[be done] …되다, 되고 있다
būti
telah
worden, zijner , blir/var, ble
يو مجهول يا گنگ حالت ته اشاره
ser
a fi
быть
byť
biti
jesam
vara, bli
ใช้กับรูปกริยา past participle แสดงกรรมวาจก
與過去分詞連用，構成被動語態
у сполученні з past participle служить для утворення форми passive
تھا
đã
与动词的现在分词连用，构成被动语态
used with a past participle to form the passive voice.
4. used with an infinitive to express several ideas, eg necessity (When am I to leave?), purpose (The letter is to tell us he’s coming), a possible future happening (If he were to lose, I’d win) etc.
dيُسْتَعْمَل مع المَصْدَر للتَّعْبير عن عِدّة أفكار مثل: ضَروره، هَدَف، مُستَقْبَل مُحْتَمَل
за идеи
ir/ser
mít, muset
sollte, werden
skulle
deber + infinitivo; tener como propósito
pidama
قرار است
pitää, olla määrä
devoir; aller
פּועַל עֶזֶר להֲבָּעַת רָעָיוֹנוֹת
biti
diikuti infinitive menyatakan akan
eiga; mun
dovere
～すべきである
[be to 부정사] 의무, 목적, 미래 등을 나타냄
turėti, lemta būti
seandainya
moeten, dienen, etc.
skal/skulle (komme til å)
ټاکل شوي ده
a urma (să)
должен
mať, musieť
morati (naj bi)
bi
skall, skulle
ใช้กับรูปกริยา infinitive แสดงความคิดหลากหลาย เช่น ความจำเป็น วัตถุประสงค์ สิ่งที่อาจเกิดในอนาคต
(與動詞加to的不定詞連用)表示必要、目的、未來可能發生等
у сполученні з інфінітивом означає повинність
ہے ہوں
sắp; phải
与动词不定式连用，表示约定、意图、可能性等
used with an infinitive to express several ideas,necessity (), purpose (), a possible future happening (
5. used in giving or asking for information about something or someone.
I am Mr Smith;
Is he alive?;
She wants to be an actress;
The money will be ours;
They are being silly.
يُسْتَعْمَل لِطَلَب مَعْلومات
съм
ser/estar
být
sein
være; blive
ser, estar
olema
هستن؛ بودن
olla
être
פּועַל עֶזֶר לִיצִירַת שֶאֱלוֹת
biti
berfungsi membetuk kalimat tanya atau memberi informasi
vera
essere
～である
사물이나 사람에 관한 정보를 제공하거나 요청하는 데 사용됨
būti
būt
menjadi
zijnvære; bli
شتون
a fi
быть
byť
biti
biti
vara, bli
ใช้ขอหรือให้ข้อมูลเกี่ยวกับบางสิ่งหรือบางคน
用於提供或查詢訊息
бути, бувати
ہونا
dùng để nói về ai đó
提供或询问某人（事）的情况
used in giving or asking for information about something or someone.
ˈbeing noun1. existence.
When did the Roman Empire come into being?
وُجود
съществуване
existência
existence, život
das (Da-)Sein
opstå
ύπαρξη, δημιουργίαexistencia
olemasolu
وجود؛ هستی
olemassaolo
existence
לִהיוֹת
अस्तित्व
postojanje
lét(ezés)
keberadaan, ada
tilvera
origine
存在
존재
egzistavimas
eksistence; esamība
wujud
bestaantilværelse , det å være/bli tilistnienie
شتون
existência
existenţă, naştere, fiinţă
существование
vznik
bivanje, obstajanje
postojanje
tillvaro, existens
การมีอยู่
varlık
存在
буття, існування
موجود ہونا
sự tồn tại
存在
existence.
2. any living person or thing.
beings from outer space.
كائِن، مَخْلوق
същество
ser
bytost, člověk, tvor
das Wesen
væsen
ονser
olend
جاندار
olento
créatureיצור
प्राणी
biće
lény
makhluk
vera
essere, creatura
生き物
존재하는 것
būtybė
būtne; radījums
hidupan
wezenvesen
stwór, istota
يو ژوندی ژوي يا څيز
ser
fiinţă, cretură
существо
bytosť, tvor
bitje
biće
varelse, väsen[de]
สิ่งมีชีวิต
yaratık
生物
істота
جاندار شخص یا شے
sinh vật
生物
any living person or thing.
the be-all and end-all
This job isn’t the be-all and end-all of existence.
أهَم شَيئ في الدُّنياا
крайна цел
tudo
celý smysl, podstata, první a poslední
das Ein und Alles
alfa og omega
το άλφα και το ωμέγα
serlo todo
ülim eesmärk
مهمترین چیز؛ عامل عمده
lopullinen tarkoitus
le but suprême de
הַגוֹרֵם הַחָשוּב בְּיוֹתֵר
कोई वास्तविक महत्व का नहीं होना
sveukupnost
végső cél
tujuan utama
endanlegt takmark
cosa più importante, essenziale
最も重要なもの
궁극적인 것
pagrindinis ir vienintelis tikslas
gals un sākums
bukan segala-galanya
de alfa en de omega
alfa og omegaistota , jedyny cel
لوی عامل
tudo
scopul suprem
суть ; конец и начало всего
začiatok a koniec všetkého
končni cilj
sve i svja
huvudsaken, det enda som gäller
สิ่งที่สำคัญที่สุด
en önemli şey
最終目標
найголовніше
موجودگی
cốt lõi
最高目标
the final aim apart from which nothing is of any real importance.
BE,
B.E.
(
ˈbiː giː
) abbreviation
BSc Ingenieurswese
بَكالوريا في الهَنْدَسَه
бакалавър по машиностроене
Bacharel em Engenharia
bakalář technických věd
Dipl. Ing.
BE; B.E; bachelorgrad; lavere grad i ingeniørfag
πτυχίο στον κλάδο της μηχανικής (συντομογρ.)
licenciatura en Ingeniería
BSc (tehnikateaduste bakalaureus)
لیسانس مهندسی
tekniikan kandidaatti
diplômé en ingénierie
תוֹאַר רִאשוֹן בְּהַנדָסָה
इंजीनियरिंग स्नातक
prvostupnik tehničkog fakulteta
műszaki egyetemi végzettség
BE
laureato/laurea in ingegneria
工学士
공학 학사
technikos bakalauras
inženierzinātņu bakalaurs
Sarjana Muda Kejuruteraan
baccalaureus in de techniek
lavere grad i ingeniørfag
د انجینیري ليسانس
бакалавр технических наук
bakalár inžinierskeho štúdia
diplomirani inženir
diploma fakulteta tehnike
teknologie kandidat
วิศวกรรมศาสตรบัณฑิต
mühendislik diploması
工程學士
бакалавр технічних наук
پیچلر آف انجینئرنگ
cử nhân kỹ thuật
工学士
Bachelor of Engineering; first degree in Engineering.
Kernerman English Multilingual Dictionary © 2006-2013 K Dictionaries Ltd.
