Many people find it frustrating to understand the difference between Ser and Estar. Below is the present tense conjugation for the verb "to be" – Ser or Estar – in Spanish.
| I am You are He/she is We are You are (plural) They are | SER Yo soy Tu eres El/Ella es Nosotros somos Vosotros sois Ellos son | ESTAR Yo estoy Tu estás El/Ella está Nosotros estamos Vosotros estáis Ellos están |
Our explanation should help you understand the differences are between Ser and Estar. We have summarised the general rules below!
SER:
Ser is used for: time, origin, description, characteristic, occupation and relationship.
Time: Mañana es la boda de su hermana. Tomorrow is her sister's wedding.
Origin: Los profesores son de España. The teachers are from Spain.
Description: Soy alto. I’m tall.
Characteristic: Su padre es extrovertido. His father is outgoing.
Ocupation: Eres estudiante de Español. You are a Spanish student.
Relationship: Vosotros sois mis familiares. You are all my relatives.
ESTAR:
Estar is used for: emotion, position, location, action and condition.
Emotion: Estáis contentos con los resultados. You are happy with the results.
Position: Ellos están sentados en el banco. They are seated on the bench.
Location: El coche está en el garaje. The car is in the garage.
Action: Tus amigos están corriendo en el parque. Your friends are running in the park.
Condition: Hoy no estoy enfermo. Today I’m not ill.
SER:
Ser is used for: time, origin, description, characteristic, occupation and relationship.
Time: Mañana es la boda de su hermana. Tomorrow is her sister's wedding.
Origin: Los profesores son de España. The teachers are from Spain.
Description: Soy alto. I’m tall.
Characteristic: Su padre es extrovertido. His father is outgoing.
Ocupation: Eres estudiante de Español. You are a Spanish student.
Relationship: Vosotros sois mis familiares. You are all my relatives.
ESTAR:
Estar is used for: emotion, position, location, action and condition.
Emotion: Estáis contentos con los resultados. You are happy with the results.
Position: Ellos están sentados en el banco. They are seated on the bench.
Location: El coche está en el garaje. The car is in the garage.
Action: Tus amigos están corriendo en el parque. Your friends are running in the park.
Condition: Hoy no estoy enfermo. Today I’m not ill.
EXCEPTIONS:
Ser:
Religion: Mi novio es muy religioso. My boyfiend is very religious.
Location for events: El festival es en el norte de la ciudad. The festival is in the north of the city.
Estar:
Death: Su abuelo está muerto. His grandfather is dead.
Some words can be used with both Ser and Estar. However, depending on the verb they take on different meanings. See examples below.
Ser:
Religion: Mi novio es muy religioso. My boyfiend is very religious.
Location for events: El festival es en el norte de la ciudad. The festival is in the north of the city.
Estar:
Death: Su abuelo está muerto. His grandfather is dead.
Some words can be used with both Ser and Estar. However, depending on the verb they take on different meanings. See examples below.
| SER ser aburrido ser bueno ser cansado ser grave ser listo ser malo ser orgulloso ser moreno ser pálido ser pesado ser rico ser seguro ser verde ser viejo ser vivo | to be boring to be good to be a tiring person to be serious to be clever to be bad to be conceited or vain to be dark-skinned to be pale skinned to be heavy to be rich to be safe to be green to be old to be sharp | ESTAR estar aburrido estar bueno estar cansado estar grave estar listo estar malo estar orgulloso estar moreno estar pálido estar pesado estar rico estar seguro estar verde estar viejo estar vivo | to be bored to be tasty/attractive to be tired to be seriously ill to be ready to be ill to be proud to be tanned to be pale to be tiresome to be tasty to be certain to be unripe to look old to be alive |
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