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
- 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)
- Ser is used for more permanent characteristics.
- 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.)
- Ser describes identity or inherent qualities.
Practice Examples
- Use of Ser:
- Yo soy de Argentina. (I am from Argentina.)
- El libro es de Juan. (The book belongs to Juan.)
- 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)
- Tú 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)
- Tú 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