Which one should you use?
Use ser genial when describing someone's permanent personality or character as being cool or great. In contrast, use estar genial when referring to a specific situation, event or object being cool, such as saying 'the party is cool'.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
In Spain, ser guay is a very common informal way to say someone or something is cool and estar guay is a popular expression in Spain meaning 'to be cool'.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Argentina, a common way to say 'to be cool' is estar copado/a. In Chile, the slang phrase estar filete is used. In many Latin American countries like Colombia or Venezuela, ser chévere is the standard informal way to say something is cool.
What mistakes should you avoid?
Do not use ser genial to mean 'to be cool' in terms of temperature. If you want to say something is cold, you must use estar frío instead.
Did you know?
- In Chile, the phrase estar filete is used to say something is cool. The word filete literally means 'fillet' or 'sirloin steak', referring to a prime cut of meat.
- The verb ser is a linguistic hybrid. Over time, it absorbed the Old Spanish verb seer, which came from the Latin sedēre meaning 'to sit'.
- The word genial comes from the Latin genius, meaning a guardian spirit. It originally referred to things that were festive or related to marriage before it meant 'cool' or 'great'.
Examples in context
- Tom siempre está tratando de ser genial.Tom is always trying to be cool.This sentence shows how to use the form ser genial to describe someone's character.Tatoeba #1306076 by marcelostockle, translation #1025095 by CK
- Ese actor quiere ser genial.That actor wants to be cool.
Example conversation
María and Javier are talking about a new movie.
- MaríaEsta película parece ser genial.This movie seems to be cool.
- JavierSí, todos dicen que es muy buena.Yes, everyone says it is very good.
- María¿Quieres ir al cine mañana?Do you want to go to the cinema tomorrow?
- JavierClaro, María, me encantaría.Of course, María, I would love to.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries genial, ser, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
