El libro está cerrado.

the book

Breakdown of El libro está cerrado.

• estar: to be
• cerrado: closed

Questions & Answers about El libro está cerrado.

Why do we use está instead of es in this sentence?

We use está (from the verb estar) to describe a temporary state or condition of the book (it is closed at the moment). The verb ser (es) would imply a more permanent characteristic, which doesn’t make sense here since the book being closed is not a permanent trait.

Is cerrado an adjective, and why is it in the masculine form?

Yes, cerrado is an adjective meaning closed. In Spanish, adjectives need to agree in gender and number with the noun they modify. Since libro is masculine and singular, we use cerrado in the masculine singular form.

Could I say El libro está cerrada?

No, that would be grammatically incorrect. You must match the adjective’s gender: because libro is masculine, the adjective must also be masculine (cerrado). If the noun were feminine (e.g., la puerta), then you would say la puerta está cerrada.

Does El libro está cerrado only refer to the physical state of the book?

Usually, yes. It most commonly describes the physical state (the book’s cover is not open). However, depending on context, cerrado can sometimes be used figuratively, though that usage is more common with abstract nouns or ideas (for example, el asunto está cerrado means “the matter is settled”).