ser libre
/seɾ libɾe/from spelling rules
To say "be free" in Spanish, the default form is ser libre.
This phrase is used to describe a person's fundamental state of being free or independent.
Which one should you use?
Use ser libre to describe a person's fundamental state of being free or independent, whereas estar libre is used to say someone is currently available or not busy.
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective libre must agree in gender with the subject, but since it ends in -e, the form remains the same for both masculine and feminine subjects. To say "be free" in the plural, change the adjective to libres to match the subject.
How do you pronounce it?
/seɾ libɾe/
Did you know?
- The Spanish verb ser has a strange linguistic history where it absorbed elements from the Old Spanish verb seer, which actually came from the Latin verb meaning 'to sit'.
- In some contexts, calling someone libre in Spanish can be a polite way to say they are single and not in a relationship.
- If you describe someone as libre in a professional context, you might accidentally imply they are unemployed rather than just available for a meeting.
Examples in context
- Tengo que ser libre.I've got to be free.This sentence demonstrates the use of ser libre for a personal necessity.Tatoeba #4167219 by Shishir, translation #3732793 by CK
- Yo quería ser libre.I wanted to be free.This sentence shows how to express a past desire using ser libre.Tatoeba #10822355 by saverius, translation #2011507 by CK
- Mañana va a ser libre.He will be free tomorrow.This sentence illustrates the future tense with ser libre.Tatoeba #1225839 by wallebot, translation #304092 by CK
- 5 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Elena and Daniel are talking about their future goals.
- ElenaMi sueño es ser libre y viajar.My dream is to be free and travel.
- DanielEso suena muy bien, Elena.That sounds very good, Elena.
- ElenaTodos deberíamos ser libre de elegir.We should all be free to choose.
- DanielTienes razón, Daniel está de acuerdo.You are right, Daniel agrees.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries libre, ser, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
