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)
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”
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)
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