Choose the correct sentence: How do you say "The apple is green" when describing its permanent color?

Question

Accepted Answer

La manzana es verde.. "La manzana es verde" is correct when describing the apple's inherent, permanent color - it is a green apple by variety (like a Granny Smith). "Ser" is used for essential characteristics that define what something is. The color is an inherent property of this type of apple.

"La manzana está verde" is actually grammatically correct Spanish, but it means something different: it indicates the apple is unripe (a temporary condition). This is a famous example of how ser and estar change the meaning of adjectives. The infinitive forms "ser verde" and "estar verde" cannot serve as conjugated verbs in a complete sentence.

The way ser and estar change the meaning of adjectives is heavily tested on the CLEP Spanish Language Level 1 exam. Other examples include: ser aburrido (to be boring) vs. estar aburrido (to be bored); ser listo (to be clever) vs. estar listo (to be ready); ser malo (to be bad/evil) vs. estar malo (to be sick). Understanding these meaning shifts is essential for reading comprehension and grammar sections.

CLEP Spanish Language (Level 1 and 2): Question of the Day

Get a free CLEP Spanish Language (Level 1 and 2) question every day

Ready for the full CLEP Spanish Language (Level 1 and 2)? Earn 6 college credits.