Spanish Verbs - Ser And Estar

Beginning Spanish: A basic course in the Spanish language


 
The Spanish language has two verbs for the term "to be": ser and estar. These two very important Spanish verbs have very specific uses and they cannot be used in place of one another.

Ser: common forms
 
yo soy
I am

eres
you are

usted es
you are

él es
he is

ella es
she is
nosotros(as) somos
we are

vosotros(as) sois
you are

ustedes son
you are

ellos son
they are

ellas son
they are (all females)


Ser is used to:

  • describe relatively permanent basic traits and characteristics
     
  • tell who or what the subject is
     
  • indicate:
     
    • physical traits
    • nationality or origin 
    • profession 
    • basic personality traits 
    • possession 
    • time and date 
Examples:
    Soy americano.
    I am an American.
     
    Juan es abogado.
    Juan is a lawyer.
     
    Julia es joven.
    Julia is young.
     
    El reloj es de Alberto.
    The watch belongs to Alberto.
     
    Son las tres.
    It's three o'clock.
     
    ¿De dónde es usted?
    Where are you from?
     
    Soy de México.
    I'm from Mexico.

Estar: common forms
 
yo estoy
I am

estás
you are

usted está
you are

él está
he is

ella está
she is
nosotros(as) estamos
we are

vosotros(as) estáis
you are

ustedes están
you are

ellos están
they are

ellas están
they are (all females)


Estar is used to describe:

  • temporary states or conditions and those that are subject to change
     
  • location
     
  • how the subject is or feels
     
    • physical condition
    • feelings and emotions 
Examples:
    El no está bien.
    He is not well.
     
    Estoy triste hoy.
    I am sad today.
     
    Nosotros estamos en casa.
    We're at home.
     
    Carlos está en el hospital.
    Carlos is in the hospital.

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