Uses of Ser and Estar - Usos de Ser y Estar
In Spanish, there are two main verbs that express "to be": ser and estar. Each verb has specific uses within the language and the uses cannot be interchanged. The spelling of ser and estar change depending on the subject.
| Ser |
Estar |
English |
| Yo soy |
Yo estoy |
I am |
| Tú eres |
Tú estas | you are |
| Él/ella/usted es |
Él/ella/usted está | He/she is |
| Ellos/ellas/ustedes son |
Ellos/ellas/ustedes están |
They are |
| Nosotros somos |
Nosotros estamos |
We are |
- Ser
- Estar
- Related Vocabulary
Ser is used to express the inherent nature of a person or thing. Here are some rules:
- To be + adjective
expresses essential characteristics of people
or things (i.e., physical descriptions).
Spanish
English
La estudiante es bonita.
The student is pretty.
El profesor es viejo.
The professor is old.
- To be + of/from expresses
possession, origin, or
material. "Of/from" are translated to "de" in
Spanish.
Spanish
English
Las pinturas son de Maria.
The paintings are Maria’s. George es de Guatemala.
George is from Guatemala. La mesa es de madera.
The table is wood. - To be + for expresses
destination or
the expiration date. "For" is translated to "por" or "para" in
Spanish.
Spanish
English
La tarea es para mañana.
The homework is for tomorrow. - To be + noun or pronoun
expresses identity
between the subject and the noun or pronoun, profession.
Spanish
English
Ella es una maestra.
She is a tutor. Es un perro.
It is a dog. - To be + the existence of
temporary activities or events.
Spanish
English
La reunión es en la café. The meeting is at the cafe. - To
be + the day, the date, the time, and seasons.
Spanish
English
Hoy es Lunes.
Today is Monday. Son las once y media.
It is 11:30.
Estar is used to express the temporary nature of a person or thing. Here are some rules:
- To be + adjective
expresses changing conditions and appearance of
people or things.
Spanish
English
Las maestras estan enfermas.
The tutors are sick.
La estudiante está bonita.
The student is pretty right now. - To be + expresses the location of people or
things.
Spanish
English
Mi hermano está en la escuela.
My brother is in school. La avion está en Guatemala.
The plane is in the Guatemala. - To
be + adverb expresses the temporary quality or state of an
emotion
or activity.
Spanish
English
Está bien
Everything is well.
- Estar + para + infinitive is equivalent to "to be
about to".
Spanish English Estoy para salir.
I am about to go out. En este momento está para llorar.
In this moment it is about to rain.
3. Related Vocabulary
| Spanish | English |
| Ser | To be |
| Yo soy | I am |
| Tú eres | You are |
| Usted es | You are (formal) |
| Él es | He is |
| Ella es | She is |
| Nosotros somos | We are |
| Ustedes son | You are (plural) |
| Ellos son | They are (male/collective) |
| Ellas son | They are (female) |
| Ser bueno | Good character |
| Ser aburrido | Boring |
| Ser callado | Taciturn |
| Ser listo | Smart |
| Ser interesado | Selfish |
| Ser malo | Bad |
| Ser preparado | Cultivated |
| Ser vivo | Alert |
| Ser nuevo | Brand new |
| Ser verde | Green |
| Estar | To be |
| Yo estoy | I am |
| Tú estás | You are (informal) |
| Usted está | You are (formal) |
| Él está | He is |
| Ella está | She is |
| Nosotros estamos | We are |
| Ustedes están | You are (plural) |
| Ellos están | They are (male/collective) |
| Ellas están | They are (female) |
| Estar buena | In good health |
| Estar aburrida | Bored |
| Estar callada | Silent |
| Estar lista | Ready |
| Estar interesada | Interested |
| Estar mala | Sick |
| Estar preparada | Prepared |
| Estar viva | Alive |
| Estar nuevo | Unused |
| Estar verde | Not ripe |
| Estar de acuerdo | To be in agreement with |
| Estar de buen/mal humor | To be in a good/bad mood |
| Estar de moda | To be fashionable |
| Estar de pie | To be on foot |
| Estar de regreso | To be coming back |
| Estar de rodillas | To be on one's knees |
| Estar de vacaciones | To be on vacation |
| Estar de viaje | To be on a trip/on vacation |
| Estar seguro | To be sure |