Ser y Estar (Verb to be)

Overview of “Ser” and “Estar”

**1. Ser.

“Ser” is used to describe:

  • Essential Characteristics: Traits that are seen as permanent or defining.
    • Example: “Ella es alta.” (She is tall)
  • Identity: Names, professions, and relationships.
    • Example: “Soy estudiante.” (I am a student)
  • Origin/Nationality: Where someone or something is from.
    • Example: “Somos de México.” (We are from Mexico)
  • Time and Dates: To tell time, days, dates, and seasons.
    • Example: “Hoy es lunes.” (Today is Monday)
  • Possession: Who owns something.
    • Example: “El carro es mío.” (The car is mine)
  • Events: Where and when an event takes place.
    • Example: “La fiesta es en mi casa.” (The party is at my house)

**2. Estar

“Estar” is used to describe:

  • Temporary States: Feelings, conditions, or states that are not permanent.
    • Example: “Estoy cansado.” (I am tired.)
  • Locations: Physical locations of people or things.
    • Example: “El libro está en la mesa.” (The book is on the table.)
  • Ongoing Actions: Actions that are happening right now (using the present progressive tense).
    • Example: “Estamos estudiando.” (We are studying.)
  • Emotional States: Feelings and emotions that can change.
    • Example: “Ella está feliz.” (She is happy.)

Key Differences

  1. Permanence vs. Temporariness:
    • Ser is used for more permanent characteristics.
      • Example: “El cielo es azul.” (The sky is blue.)
    • Estar is used for temporary states or conditions (i.e. feelings, physical states)
      • Example: “El cielo está nublado.” (The sky is cloudy.)
      • Estoy bien, estoy enferma, estoy alegre (i.e. I am well, I am sick, I am happy)
  2. Identity vs. Location:
    • Ser describes identity or inherent qualities.
      • Example: “Soy médico.” (I am a doctor.)
    • Estar describes location
      • Example: “Estoy en casa.” (I am at home.)

Practice Examples

  1. Use of Ser:
    • Yo soy de Argentina. (I am from Argentina.)
    • El libro es de Juan. (The book belongs to Juan.)
  2. Use of Estar:
    • Yo estoy en la oficina. (I am at the office.)
    • Ella está enferma hoy. (She is sick today.)

Conjugation of the two verbs in the present tense

Conjugation of the verbs – in the present tense

Conjugation of “Ser”

  • Yo soy (I am)
  • eres (you are, informal)…………..Usted es (you are, formal)
  • Él/Ella/es (He/She is)
  • Nosotros/Nosotras somos (We are, used in Latin America)
  • Vosotros/Vosotras sois (You all are, used in Spain)………….Ustedes son (You all are, used in Latin America)
  • Ellos/Ellas son (They are)

Conjugation o”Estar”

  • Yo estoy (I am)
  • estás (You are, informal)……………….Usted está (You are, formal)
  • Él/Ella está (He/She is)
  • Nosotros/Nosotras estamos (We are)
  • Vosotros/Vosotras estáis (You all are, used in Spain)…..Ustedes están (You all are, used in Latin America))
  • Ellos/Ellas son (They are)

Click here for worksheet to practice conjugation of the two verbs………Here’s a helpful video………and a practice lesson in printables