In this lesson you are going to
learn the difference between ser and estar in Spanish.
Ser and estar can both be translated as “to be”
In Spanish, a different verb is used to express “to be” depending on whether the speaker intends to address a condition or an essential quality.
Subject – Estar – Ser (to be)
Yo (I) – estoy – soy
Tú (You)(Informal) – estás – eres
Usted (You)(Formal) – está – es
Él/Ella(He/She) – está – es
Nosotros(as)(We) – estamos – somos
Vosotros(as)(You)(Informal) – estáis – sois
Ustedes(You)(Formal) – están – son
Ellos(as)(They) – están – son
When to Use Estar in Spanish?
Estar (To Be)
Notes:
1- To address condition, use “estar”. “Estar” is an irregular verb.
e.g.
El plátano está verde – The banana is green (condition)
La sopa está caliente – The soup is hot (condition)
Ella está enferma – She is sick (condition)
2- If you are talking about how something is, use “estar”
e.g.
Question: ¿Cómo está él? – How is he?
Answer: Él está enojado – He is mad
Note: “Estar” is used to express geographic or physical locations.
e.g.
Question: ¿Dónde estás? – Where are you?
Answer: Estoy en el trabajo.- I’m at work
Question:¿Dónde está mi llave? – Where’s my key?
Answer: La llave está en tu cuarto – The key is in your bedroom
Tip: The one exception to this rule is that “ser” is used to tell where an event is taking place. (La fiesta es en mi casa. – The party is at my house)
Note: “Estar” is used with adjectives to express a state or condition (“how” something is).
Question:¿Cómo está el agua? – How’s the water?
Answer: El agua está fría. – The water is cold.
Question:¿Cómo estás tú? – How are you?
Answer: Estoy muy bien, gracias.- I am very well, thanks.
Note: “Estar” is used with many idiomatic expressions.
estar de acuerdo- to be in agreement
estar de pie- to be standing
estar en camino- to be on the way
estar en las nubes – to be daydream
Note: “Estar” is used with the Progressive Tenses
Question:¿Qué estás haciendo? – What are you doing?
Answer: Estoy estudiando Español – I am studying Spanish
When to Use Ser in Spanish?
Ser (To Be)
Notes:
1- To address an essential quality, use “ser”. “Ser” is also irregular.
e.g.
El plátano es verde – The banana is green (quality)
El colchón es suave – The mattress is soft (quality)
2- If you are talking about what something is, use “ser”.
e.g.
Question: ¿Qué es ella? -What is she?
Answer: Ella es una profesora – She is a teacher
Note: “Ser” is used to express the hour, day, and date.
e.g.
Question: ¿Qué hora es? – What time is it?
Answer: Son las dos. – It’s two o’clock.
Question: ¿Qué dia es hoy? – What day is today?
Answer: Hoy es Martes. – Today’s Tuesday.
Question: ¿Cuál es la fecha de hoy?- What’s today’s date?
Answer: Es el treinta de mayo.- It’s May 30.
Note: “Ser” is used to express place of origin.
e.g.
Question: ¿De dónde eres tú? – Where are you from?
Answer: Soy de Colombia. – I’m from Colombia.
Note: “Ser” is used to express occupation.
Question: ¿Cuál es tu trabajo? – What is your job?
Answer: Soy ingeniero – I’m an engineer
Note: “Ser” is used to express nationality.
Question: ¿Es ella cubana? – Is she Cuban?
Answer: Sí, ella es cubana – Yes, she’s Cuban.
Note: “Ser” is used to express religious or political affiliation.
Ellos son comunistas – They are communists
Es el gobierno Socialista – It’s the Socialist government
Nosotros somos cristianos – We are christians
El sistema es Capitalista – The system is Capitalist
Note: “Ser” is used to express the material something is made of.
Eso es de cemento – That is (made of) cement
Las mesas son de madera – The tables are (made of) wood
Note: “Ser” is used to express possession.
Question: ¿De quién es el libro?- Whose book is it?
Answer: Es de Carlos – It’s Carlos’s
Note: “Ser” is used to express the relationship of one person to another.
Question:¿Quién es ella? – Who is she?
Answer: Ella es la esposa de mi tío – She is my uncle’s wife
Note: “Ser” is used with certain impersonal expressions.
Es necesario que llegue temprano – It is necessary to arrive early
Es importante que practiques a diario – It is important that you practice daily
Note: “Ser” is used to tell where and when an event is taking place.
El cumpleaños es el sábado – The birthday is Saturday
El evento es el lunes en el teatro – The event is Monday at the theater
La reunión es en el trabajo – The meeting is at work
.
Note: “Ser” is used with adjectives to express inherent, or essential qualities.
María es inteligente – Maria is smart
Ustedes son muy rápidos – You (all) are very fast
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