In Spanish, you have two ways to form the passive voice: using either “ser” or “estar” plus the past participle. While both constructions express passive ideas, they serve different purposes and convey distinct meanings.
Formation with Ser
When you use “ser” + past participle, you describe:
- Actions in progress: Las casas son construidas por obreros expertos. (The houses are being built by expert workers.)
- Habitual actions: El correo es entregado cada mañana. (The mail is delivered every morning.)
- The agent (doer) of the action is often mentioned: Los documentos son revisados mensualmente. (The documents are reviewed monthly.)
- The focus is on the action itself: The emphasis is on the process or activity.
Formation with Estar
When you use “estar” + past participle, you express:
- A resulting state: Las ventanas están cerradas. (The windows are closed.)
- A completed action: El trabajo está terminado. (The work is finished.)
- The agent is rarely mentioned: The focus is on the current condition, not who performed the action.
- The focus is on the result or condition: The emphasis is on the outcome or state of being.
Key Differences
- Time Reference:
- Ser passive: Emphasizes the action as it occurs or as a general truth.
- Estar passive: Emphasizes the current state resulting from a previous action.
- Focus:
- Ser passive: Centers on the process or action itself.
- Estar passive: Centers on the end result or current condition.
- Agent Mention:
- Ser passive: Often includes “por” (by) phrases to indicate the agent.
- Estar passive: Typically omits the agent as it’s less relevant.
Common Usage Patterns
- News and Reporting:
- Las noticias son transmitidas en vivo. (The news is broadcast live.)
- El evento es organizado por el comité. (The event is organized by the committee.)
- Descriptions of States:
- El museo está cerrado hoy. (The museum is closed today.)
- Los platos están lavados. (The dishes are washed.)
- Official Communications:
- Se informa que el contrato es firmado por ambas partes. (It is reported that the contract is signed by both parties.)
- El documento está sellado y firmado. (The document is sealed and signed.)
Special Considerations
Remember that some past participles can be used with both verbs, but with different meanings:
- El estudiante es aburrido. (The student is boring – inherent quality)
- El estudiante está aburrido. (The student is bored – temporary state)
The passive voice with “ser” and “estar” adds sophistication to your Spanish expression, allowing you to convey subtle differences in meaning that might not be immediately apparent in English.