You know that ser describes permanent traits, while estar describes temporary states. Because of this, some adjectives drastically change their meaning depending on the verb.
| Adjective | With ser (Trait) | With estar (State) |
|---|---|---|
| vivo | sharp, clever | alive |
| despierto | bright, quick-witted | awake |
| callado | quiet (introverted) | silent (not speaking) |
| maduro | mature (person) | ripe (fruit) |
| interesado | selfish, mercenary | interested |
| The boy who lived here was sharp and was always awake early. | El niño que vivía aquí era vivo y siempre estaba despierto temprano. |
| I doubt that the patient is alive because his health is fragile. | Dudo que el paciente esté vivo porque su salud es delicada. |
Notice the contrast when both meanings appear together:
| The boy is mature, but the apple is not ripe. | El niño es maduro, pero la manzana no está madura. |
| I doubt that the seller is selfish, but he is interested in your business. | Dudo que el vendedor sea interesado, pero está interesado en tu negocio. |
| The student is very bright, but today he is silent. | El estudiante es muy despierto, pero hoy está callado. |
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