of Spanish grammar. Although the verbs <em>ser </em>and <em>estar</em> are equivalent to the verb <em>to be</em> in English, the meanings and uses for <em>ser</em> and <em>estar</em> vary greatly in Spanish. In an effort to clarify the appropriate uses for these two verbs, this lesson  explains the uses for each verb, and how they differ.

<strong><span style=”text-decoration: underline;”>Ser (to be)</span></strong>

Before we explain the different uses for <em>ser</em>, let’s review the conjugations for <em> ser</em> in the present

and imperfect tenses.

<span style=”text-decoration: underline;”>Present Tense:</span>
<div class=”opl-col” style=”width: 49%;”>Yo soy (I am)tú eres (you are)él es (he is)ella es (she is)usted es (you are)</div>
<div class=”opl-col last-col” style=”width: 49%;”>nosotros somos (we are)ellos son (they are)ellas son (they are)ustedes son (they are)</div>
<div class=”clearfix”></div>
<span style=”text-decoration: underline;”> Imperfect Tense:</span>
<div class=”opl-col” style=”width: 49%;”>Yo era (I used to be, was)tú eras (you used to be, were)él era (he was)ella era (she used to be, were)usted era (you used to be, were)</div>
<div class=”opl-col last-col” style=”width: 49%;”>nosotros éramos (we used to be, were)ellos eran (they used to be, were)ellas eran (they used to be, were)ustedes eran (you used to be, were)</div>
<div class=”clearfix”></div>
<span style=”text-decoration: underline;”>Uses for Ser:</span>

&nbsp;
<h2>Ser vs. Estar In Spanish</h2>
The most important factor that should be understood about ser is that it embodies the aspect

of the verb <em>to be </em>that it is definite, permanent, unchangeable, or inherent. Because of this, in

Spanish <em>ser</em> is used to describe persons, professions, personality aspects, time, and nationalities.

Each particular use for <em>ser</em> is explained below:

a. To express a person, place, or thing’s physical trait, personality, nationality, profession,

or inherent condition.
<pre><span style=”text-decoration: underline;”>Physical traits of people and objects:</span>
Jorge es alto. (Jorge is tall.)</pre>
<pre>     Doris era flaca. (Doris was skinny.)</pre>
<pre>     La madre de Juan es bonita. (Juanita’s mother is pretty.)</pre>
<pre>     La catedral es grande y vieja. (The cathedral is big and old.)</pre>
<pre>     Lima es una ciudad Peruana. (Lima is a Peruvian city.)</pre>
<pre>     La manzana es roja. (The apple is red.)</pre>
<pre>     Don Julio ya no es joven. Es anciano.</pre>
(Mr. Julio is no longer young. He is a senior citizen.)
<span style=”text-decoration: underline;”> Nationality/Citizenship:</span>
<pre>     Yo soy Colombiana. (I am Colombian.)</pre>
<pre>     Tomasina era Dominicana. (Tomasina was Dominican/was a Dominican citizen.)</pre>
<pre>     Él es hispano. (He is latino.)</pre>
<span style=”text-decoration: underline;”> Personality traits: </span>
<pre>     Juan y Carla son inteligentes. (Juan and Carla are intelligent.)
Los muchachos eran tímidos. (The boys were timid.)</pre>
<pre>     Mariana era humilde. (Mariana was humble.)</pre>
<pre>     Tú eres honesta. (You are honest.)</pre>
<span style=”text-decoration: underline;”> Professions:</span>
<pre>    Tulia es una doctora famosa. (Tulia is a famous doctor.)</pre>
<pre>    Mi abuelo era alcalde. (My grandfather was mayor.)</pre>
<pre>    Ellos son profesores. (They are professors.)</pre>
<pre>    Somos choferes. (We are drivers.)</pre>
<pre>    Éramos choferes, pero ahora somos gerentes.</pre>
(We were drivers, but now we are managers.)
b. <em>Ser</em> is also used to express <span style=”text-decoration: underline;”>possession</span> or the <span style=”text-decoration: underline;”>origin</span> of an item. With this particular use,

the verb <em>ser</em> is usually followed by <em> de</em> (of).

For example:
<pre>    Este reloj es de Inglaterra. (This watch is from England.)</pre>
<pre>    El cuaderno es de Raquel. (The notebook is Raquel’s.)</pre>
<pre>    La computadora de Roberto es de Alemania. (Roberto’s computer is from Germany.)</pre>
c. <em>Ser</em> is always used to express the time. For example:
<pre>   ¿Qué hora es? (What time is it?)</pre>
<pre>    Son las siete y cuarto. (It is seven fifteen.)</pre>
d. <em>Ser</em> is also used for common impersonal expressions in Spanish related to time.

For example:
<pre>   Es tarde. (It is late.)</pre>
<pre>   Es temprano. (It is early.)</pre>
<pre>   Es de noche. (It is night.)</pre>
<strong><em>Estar </em>(to be)</strong>

In Spanish, the verb <em>estar</em> is used to express what is more temporary, and changeable

compared to <em>ser</em>.

Let’s review the conjugations for <em>estar</em> in the present and imperfect tenses:

<span style=”text-decoration: underline;”>Present Tense:</span>
<div class=”opl-col” style=”width: 49%;”>Yo estoy (I am)tú estás (you are)él está (he is)ella está (she is)usted está (you are)</div>
<div class=”opl-col last-col” style=”width: 49%;”>nosotros estámos (we are)ellos están (they are)ellas están (they are)ustedes están (they are)</div>
<div class=”clearfix”></div>
<span style=”text-decoration: underline;”> Imperfect Tense:</span>
<div class=”opl-col” style=”width: 49%;”>Yo estaba (I used to be, was)tú estabas (you used to be, were)él estaba (he was)ella estaba (she used to be, were)usted estaba (you used to be, were)</div>
<div class=”opl-col last-col” style=”width: 49%;”>nosotros estábamos (we used to be, were)ellos estaban (they used to be, were)ellas estaban (they used to be, were)ustedes estaban (you used to be, were)</div>
<div class=”clearfix”></div>
<span style=”text-decoration: underline;”>Uses for Estar:</span>

Compared to the permanence expressed in <em>ser</em>, <em>estar</em> is used to

express situations, aspects, and traits that may change at any time.

Each particular use for <em>estar</em> is explained below:

a. To express feelings or emotions for a particular moment.
<pre>    Juan Carlos está feliz hoy. (Juan Carlos is happy today.)</pre>
<pre>    Yo estoy satisfecha con mi trabajo. (I am satisfied with my job.)</pre>
<pre>    Marta estaba triste cuando hablé con ella. (Marta was sad when I spoke with her.)</pre>
*It should be noted that in the above examples, the use of <em>estar</em> stresses the temporal nature of the emotions described. However, if one wants to describe a person’s nature as being happy, or sad, the verb <em>ser</em> is then used; because it reflects a more permanent personality trait.

For example, the above example could change <span style=”text-decoration: underline;”>from</span>:

Juan Carlos <span style=”text-decoration: underline;”>está</span> feliz hoy. (Juan Carlos is happy today.)

<span style=”text-decoration: underline;”>to:</span>

Juan Carlos <span style=”text-decoration: underline;”>es</span> una persona feliz. (Juan Carlos is a happy person.)

b. To express a temporary or accidental aspect of a person, place, or thing that can change.

This includes one’s state of health.
<pre>    El café está frio. (The coffee is cold.)</pre>
<pre>    Marcos está en el parque. (Marcos is in the park.)</pre>
<pre>    Mi cuaderno está en la escuela. (My notebook is at school.)</pre>
<pre>    Milagros está enferma. (Milagros is sick.)</pre>
<pre>    ¿Cómo está usted? (How are you?)</pre>
c. To express location.
<pre>    ¿Dónde está el museo? (Where is the museum?)</pre>
<pre>    El museo está en la Calle Federal. (The museum is on Federal Street.)</pre>
<pre>    ¿Dónde está el banco? (Where is the bank?)</pre>
<pre>    El banco está lejos de aquí. (The bank is far from here.)</pre>
Now that we have examined the different uses for <em>ser</em> and <em>estar</em>, let’s try a few exercises.

Translate the following into Spanish. The answers follow the exercise.

1. Pablo is intelligent.

2. The water is hot.

3. Where are the children?

4. We were good students.

5. It is twelve noon.

6. We are very happy today.

7. They are Mexican.

8. They are in Mexico.

9. She is in the hospital.

10. The hospital is in San Diego.

<strong>Answers:</strong>

1. <em>Pablo es inteligente.</em>

2. <em>El agua está caliente</em>.

3. <em>¿Dónde están los niños?</em>

4. <em>Éramos estudiantes buenos.</em>

5. <em>Son las doce del medio día.</em>

6. <em>Estamos contentos hoy.</em>

7. <em>Ellos son Mexicanos.</em>

8. <em>Ellos están en México.</em>

9. <em>Ella está en el hospital.</em>

10. <em>El hospital está en San Diego.</em>