Modern Spanish Grammar: A Practical Guide

DESCRIBING 36.5El niño está grande.The child is big (he is bigger than when I last saw him).La ciudad estaba muy sucia.The city was very dirty (it used to be clean or cleaner).Tendrás que cambiar el coche. Está muy viejo.You will have to change your car. It is very old (it has become old). 22 (p. 103)36.536.5.1Asking and saying what something is made ofTo ask someone to describe things in terms of the material they are made of we usesentences like these:¿De qué es la silla?What is the chair made of?¿De/En qué está hecho? What is it made of?¿Son de plata?Are they made of silver?NOTEEstar is used with the past participle hecho to indicate a state of affairs (see 22.2). 36.5.2 22 (p. 103)To describe things in relation to the material they are made of we use ser followed bythe preposition de:22 (p. 103)Su reloj es de oro.His/her watch is made of gold.Son de madera.They are made of wood.Era de cuero/piel.It was made of leather.36.6Describing eventsTo say what an event was like we can use either ser or estar. In this context, ser gives thedescription a more objective tone, while estar presents the same information in a moresubjective way. First-hand experience of an event is often expressed with estar. 21622 (p. 103)La fiesta fue/estuvo muy buena.The party was very good.La reunión fue/estuvo interesante.The meeting was interesting.Los festejos fueron/estuvieron grandiosos.The celebrations were magnificent.