5.2: Los verbos "ser" y "estar"
- Page ID
- 316395
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Review
As you have learned in 1.4.0 and 2.5.0, Spanish has two verbs that translate as "to be," ser and estar, and they are not interchangeable. You have also learned several acronyms to help you remember their correct usage. Review the acronyms below:
SER
ESTAR
Acronyms for Ser
DOCTOR: Date and Day, Occupation, Characteristics, Time, Origin, Relation
POTIONS: People, Occupation, Things, Identity, Origin, Nationality, Substance
Acronym for Estar
PLACE: Position, Location, Action, Condition, Emotion
Here is a summary of when to use "ser" and when to use "estar":
Uses of Ser
- Use ser to describe more permanent or defining qualities:
- Identity/Relationship:
- María y Gisela son hermanas.
- Origin/Nationality:
Soy de Bolivia. Soy boliviano. - Occupation/Profession:
Helga y Fabiana son estudiantes. - Characteristics (personality or inherent traits):
Los chicos son bajos y simpáticos. - Possession:
Es mi diccionario. Fido es su perro. - Time/Date:
Son las cuatro. Hoy es lunes. - Intentions/Purpose:
Este consejo es para ustedes. - General/Impersonal statements:
Es importante comer fruta. - Substance (material something is made of):
La mesa es de madera. - Math/Equations:
Tres más tres son seis. - Location of events:
La reunión es en el hospital.
Uses of Estar
- Use estar to describe temporary states or conditions:
- Position:
- El libro está en mi mochila.
- Location (of people or things, not events):
Estamos en casa. La universidad está en el centro. - Actions in Progress (present progressive):
Pedro está hablando con Ana. - Condition (physical/emotional state):
Paco está enfermo. Estáis muy guapos hoy. - Emotions:
Estamos tristes ahora. - Weather expressions (temporary conditions):
Está nublado hoy.
Ser and Estar with Adjectives
While certain adjectives can be used with both verbs, they communicate different ideas (the choice of verbs radically changes the meaning of the sentence). Let's look at the following examples. Note that all adjectives are in bold.
| Ser | Estar |
|---|---|
|
Carlos es guapo. Carlos is handsome (characteristic). |
Carlos está muy guapo hoy. Carlos looks very handsome today (physical condition). |
|
Sara es aburrida. Sara is boring (personality). |
Sara está aburrida. Sara is bored (emotion). |
|
La fruta es verde. The fruit is green (characteristic). |
La fruta está verde. The fruit is not ripe (condition). *While the word "maduro" in Spanish is used for "ripe", it is not used for "not ripe". |
|
Olga es lista. Olga is smart (characteristic). |
Olga está lista. Olga is ready (physical condition). |
|
El ratón es vivo. The mouse is clever (characteristic). |
El ratón está vivo. The mouse is alive (physical condition: "state of being"). |
|
Paula es una mujer segura. Paula is a confident woman (personality). |
Paula está segura. Paula is sure (emotion). |
¡ATENCIÓN! When the adjectives "seguro, segura" are used with objects and the verb "ser", the meaning changes "to be safe": El elevador es seguro.