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Ser y Estar

Posted inSpanish Grammar | Updated: 4:57 pm, Oct 21, 2007 by
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There are two primary verbs in Spanish which are translated as “to be” in English. They each have very specific uses, and the use of one or another will have a significant impact on meaning. Using the wrong verb can render your sentence utterly meaningless, or may result in an unintended mistatement.

Many textbooks create long lists of cases in which one uses ser or estar. The reality is that the difference can be essentially reduced to the difference between a description of the inherent characteristic of an object, vs. the state or condition of being of that object. The detailed breakdowns on usage can all ultimately be reduced to the above difference. The following breakdown is brief, but relatively complete:

Uses of SerUses of Estar

  1. Inherent Characteristics:
    • Juan es alto.
    • María es de España.
    • Miguel es médico.
    • El coche es de mi padre.
  2. Expressions with time.
    • Son las ocho y media.
    • ¿Qué hora es?
    • Hoy es el veinte de martes.
  3. Location of events. (takes place)
    • La fiesta es en la casa de Margarita.
    • El examen fue en la universidad.
  4. With impersonal expressions.
    • Es necesario estudiar.
    • Es preciso comer bien.
  5. The passive voice.
    • Este cuadro fue pintado por El Greco.
    • Mi coche fue robado por el ladrón.

  1. State or Condition of Being
    • Mi abuelo está muerto.
    • Estoy enfermo.
    • Miguel estaba enojado conmigo.
  2. Result of Change.
    • Marcos, ¡qué guapo estás hoy!
    • La sopa está fría.
  3. Location of persons, places, or things.
    • Mi casa está en la calle principal.
    • Dónde están mis vaqueros?
    • María no está aquí. Está en el hospital.
  4. Progressive tense.
    • Estamos estudiando.
    • Estaba corriendo por el parque.
    • Estaré estudiando el sábado.

Note that with some adjectives, either ser or estar may be used, but doing so changes the meaning of the sentence:

estar ser
Marcos está triste. (Marcos is sad (today)) Marcos es triste. (Marcos is a sad person.)
Estás palida. (You’re very pale (you appear to be sickly right now)) Eres palida. (You’re pale (complexion)).
Estoy listo. (I’m ready (for something)). Soy listo. (I’m smart (witty, clever)).
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