Difference between "ser" and "estar" in Spanish

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The verbs "ser" and "estar" can be translated with "to be" in English. Below we explain how to use the two verbs.

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Distinction between "ser" and "estar"

In general it can be said that "ser" refers to "innate" characteristics, while "estar" is often used to talk about states or transitory properties. Beside of that, "estar" is also used to describe geographical positions.

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"Ser" refers to "innate" or permanent characteristics.

Personal information

For name, identity, origin, profession and religion the verb "ser" is used.

Laura es alemana. - Laura is German.
Es un actor famoso. - He is a famous actor.

Unchangeable properties

You can use "ser" for unchangeable properties, such as character and appearance.

Estos zapatos son demasiado caros. - These shoes are too expensive.
Lena es muy guapa. - Lena is very pretty.

Impersonal expressions

For impersonal expressions you can use the verb "ser" in Spanish.

Es verdad. - It's true.
Es necesario que estudies mucho. - It is necessary that you study a lot.

Ownership relations

The place a person or a thing is from can be described with "ser".

Este coche es del jefe. - This car belongs to the boss.
El libro es tuyo. - The book is yours.

Material (ser + de)

With "ser" you can also talk about the material something is made of.

La mesa es de madera. - The table is made of wood.
El jarrón es de vidrio. - The vase is made of glass.

Time

Time can refer to days, dates, years and the time of the day.

Hoy es el 21 de enero. - Today is the 21st of January.
Es muy tarde, ya son las dos. - It is very late, it is already two.

Numbers and prices

You can use "ser" to express results.

Diez y cinco son quince. - Ten and five are fifteen.
Son veinte euros. - It's twenty Euros.

Passive voice

You can form the passive voice with "ser" + participle.

La comida es preparada. - The food is prepared.
El dinero es robado. - The money is robbed.

Usage and examples with "estar"

"Estar" is often used to talk about states or transitory properties.

Geographical location

The location of someone or something describes where it is permanently or transitory.

Guatemala está en Centroamérica. - Guatemala is in Central America.
Mis zapatos negros no están aquí. - My black shoes are not here.

Exception: The location of an event/party is described using "ser", not "estar". Example: La fiesta es en mi casa. - The party is in my house.

Mood/conditions of a person

You can use "estar" to express a temporary mood or state of a person.

Mi madre está enferma. - My mother is sick.
Estamos muy cansados. - We are very tired.

Properties of objects

"Estar" is also used to describe temporary and often subjective properties of objects.

El té está caliente. - The tea is hot.
Esta chaqueta está demasiado cara. - This jacket is too expensive.

Idiomatic expressions

"Estar" is used in many fixed idiomatic expressions.

Estoy a favor del viaje. - I'm in favor of the trip.
¿Están de acuerdo? - Do they agree?

Gerund

To form ongoing actions you need "estar" + participle.

Estoy leyendo un libro. - I am reading a book.
Estamos trabajando. - We are working.

Meaning changes with "ser" and "estar"

There are some adjectives that can be used with both "ser" and "estar" to form sentences. The meaning depends of the verb. In the following table you can find some examples:

"ser" + adjective	translation	"estar"+ adjective	translation
ser inteligente	(to) be an intelligent person	estar inteligente	(to) be intelligent (special moment)
ser abierto/a	(to) be open-minded	estar abierto/a	(to) be open (e.g. door, window)
ser aburrido/a	(to) be boring	estar aburrido/a	(to) be bored
ser enfermo/a	(to) be chronically ill	estar enfermo/a	(to) be temporarily ill
ser bueno/a	(to) be good	estar bueno/a	(to) be attractive
ser cansado/a	(to) be a tiring person	estar cansado/a	(to) be tired
ser malo/a	(to) be bad	estar malo/a	(to) be ill
ser rico/a	(to) be rich	estar rico/a	(to) be tasty
ser viejo/a	(to) be old	estar viejo/a	(to) look old

"Bien" and "mal" are only used in combination with "estar"! → "Está bien." - "It's okay."

In this lesson you learned how to use the verbs "ser" and "estar" correctly. Now test your knowledge in our free exercises.

Exercises

Let's practice "ser" and "estar"
Exercise for using "ser" and "estar"
Exercise about meaning changes with "ser" and "estar"

Let's practice "ser" and "estar"

Fill in the correct conjugation of "ser" or "estar".

1. Son las once de la mañana. - It's eleven o'clock.

2. Lima la capital de Perú. - Lima is the capital of Peru.

3. Valencia en la costa del mediterráneo. - Valencia is on the Mediterranean coast.

4. Marc camarero en un bar. - Marc is a waiter in a bar.

5. ¿Dónde el concierto? - Where is the concert?

6. La paella muy rica. - The Paella is very tasty.

7. Tú muy intelligente, hablas cinco idiomas. - You are very intelligent, you speak five languages.

8. ¿Laura y Julia nervioso por el examen? - Laura and Julia are you nervous about the exam?

9. ¿Dónde Maria? - Where is Maria?

10. Michael y yo alemanes. - Michael and I are Germans.

Exercise for using "ser" and "estar"

Fill in the correct forms of "ser" and "estar".

1. Es un vino estupendo. - It's a great wine.

2. Hola María, ¿cómo ? - Hello María, how are you?

buscando trabajo. - I'm looking for a job.

una secretaria. - I'm a secretary.

5. Aquí cerca una empresa donde buscan secretarias. - Here close is a company where they are looking for secretaries.

6. Normalmente Manuel muy serio, pero hoy muy divertido. - Normally Manuel is very serious, but today he's very funny.

7. No

seguro. - I'm not sure.

8. La mesa de madera. - The table is made of wood.

9. La tienda abierta. - The store is open.

10. La clase en la Sala 200. - The class is in room 200.

Exercise about meaning changes with "ser" and "estar"

Use the verb ser or estar - depending on what you want to express! Make use of the right tense.

1. Siempre Laura

una persona abierta. (Laura has always been an open-minded person.)

2. La puerta abierta. - (The door is open.)

3. Lo que ha pasado en el accidente muy triste. (What happened in the accident is very sad.)

4. El lunes

muy triste. (On Monday I was very sad.)

5. Todas mis compañeras enfermas. (All my friends are sick.)

6. Mi madre crónicamente enferma. - (My mum is cronically ill.)

7. Zorros muy inteligentes. (Foxes are very intelligent.)

8. En este momento mi hermana

muy inteligente. (In that moment my sister was very intelligent.)

9. La comida hoy rica. (The food today is very tasty.)

10. El fútbolista muy rico. (The soccer player is very rich.)

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