Ser or Estar...that is the question.

This might be the most tricky verb to use in Spanish.  Both “ser” and “estar” translate to “to be” in English, so how do you know when to use which?? We’ll tell you all about it here!

The first thing we teach our students about these two verbs is the fundamental distinction between ser and estar. It all lies in the type of state or quality they describe:

• Ser is used to describe permanent, inherent, or unchanging characteristics.

• Estar is used to describe temporary states, conditions, or locations.

Understanding this core difference provides a solid foundation for correctly using them!

Now that we know this, let’s explore the nuances and different uses of these verbs objectively.

"Ser"

1. Identity and Origin:  to describe who someone is or where they’re from.

   • Ella es doctora. (She is a doctor.)

   • Nosotros somos de México. (We are from Mexico.)

2. Characteristics: To describe inherent qualities or traits.

   • La casa es grande. (The house is big.)

   • Mi perro es muy lindo. (My dog is very cute.)

3. Time and Dates:  to tell the time, day, or date.

   • Hoy es lunes. (Today is Monday.)

   • Son las dos. (It is two o’clock.)

4. Events: to indicate the location of an event.

   • La boda es en la iglesia. (The wedding is in the church.)

   • El concierto es en el parque. (The concert is in the park.)

5. Possession: to show ownership or relationships.

   • Este coche es de mi hermano. (This car belongs to my brother.)

   • Ellas son mis hijas. (They are my daughter)

6. Material: to describe what something is made of.

   • La mesa es de madera. (The table is made of wood.)

   • El collar es de oro. (The necklace is made of gold.)

     
     

"Estar"

1. Location:  to describe the physical location of someone or something.

   • ¿Dónde está el baño? (Where is the bathroom?)

   • Mis llaves están en la mesa. (My keys are on the table.)

2. Temporary Conditions or States: to describe emotions, health, or temporary conditions.

   • Estoy cansado. (I am tired.)

   • La sopa está caliente. (The soup is hot.)

3. Actions in Progress: always use “estar”  along with verbs conjugated in “-ing” form to form the present progressive tense.

   • Estoy estudiando. (I am studying.)

   • Ellos están comiendo. (They are eating.)

4. Temporary Characteristics or Behaviors: To describe temporary changes or unusual behaviors.

   • Estás muy hablador hoy. (You are very talkative today.)

   • El cielo está gris. (The sky is gray.)

Like almost every rule in Spanish, there are some exceptions for the use of Ser and Estar.

Adjectives That Change Meaning with Ser and Estar

1. Aburrido (bored / boring)

   Soy aburrido. (I am boring.)

   Estoy aburrido. (I am bored.)

2. Listo (clever / ready)

   Soy lista. (I am clever.)

   Estoy lista. (I am ready.)

3. Seguro (safe / sure)

   Este coche es muy seguro. (This car is very safe.)

   Estoy seguro. (I am sure.) 

4. Malo (bad, evil / sick / in bad condition)

   Ese hombre es malo. (That man is evil.)

   El pescado está malo, no lo comas. (The fish is bad, don’t eat it.)

5. Rico (rich, wealthy / delicious)

   Él es muy rico porque tiene mucho dinero. ( He is very rich because he has a lot of money.)

   ¡Este pastel está rico! (This cake is delicious.)

   
   

6. Verde (color green/unripe/inexperienced)

La manzana es verde. (The apple is green.)

La fruta todavía está verde. (The fruit is still unripe.)

Tips & Tricks

1. Think in Context: Before choosing ser and estar, consider the context. Ask yourself whether you’re talking about a temporary state (feelings, conditions, etc) or inherit characteristics (personality, physical descriptions, etc.)

2. Practice with Adjectives: Make a list of adjectives and practice using them with both verbs to understand the difference in meaning.

3. Immerse Yourself: Listen to native speakers, watch Spanish-language shows, or read books to see how "ser" and "estar" are used naturally.

4. Use Mnemonics: Remember acronyms like DOCTOR for "ser" and PLACE  for "estar."

   
   
   
   

   

   
   

We hope this information is of great help to you! If you still have any questsions, feel free to leave us a comment, we'll make sure to answer asap.

If you’d like to get a list of common phrases used with ser and estar, exercises so you can practice, and live conversation practice with a native Spanish speaker, you can join our Ser and Estar Master Class and take your Spanish skills to the next level! 

This Master Class includes:

• Tips & Tricks to use Ser and Estar

• Engaging worksheets to reinforce your understanding

• Handy cheat sheets for quick reference

• Worksheet revision with a native Spanish speaking tutor.

• Live conversation practice with a native Spanish speaking tutor.

  
  

Reach out and start using these two essential Spanish verbs today!

Book Ser and Estar Master Class Now!