Spanish conjugation explanation

Ser vs. Estar

<p>

The verbs <span style="font-style: italic">ser</span> and <span style="font-style: italic">estar</span> both mean "to be". However, they are not at all interchangeable. In a nutshell, <span style="font-style: italic">ser</span> is used to describe <strong>permanent</strong> attributes while <span style="font-style: italic">estar</span> is used for <strong>temporary</strong> ones. Let's have a look at their usage in more detail.

</p>

<div class="conjugation_explanation_title">SER</div>

<p>

This verb comes from the Latin <span style="font-style: italic">esse</span> (to be), just like the English word <span style="font-style: italic">essence</span>. We use <span style="font-style: italic">ser</span> when we want to describe the <strong>essence</strong> of something, or how a thing always is. The <strong>DOCTOR</strong> acronym might help you memorize the most important cases: <strong>D</strong>ate, <strong>O</strong>ccupation, <strong>C</strong>haracteristic, <strong>T</strong>ime, <strong>O</strong>rigin, <strong>R</strong>elationships.

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<ul>

<li>

<div><strong>Date</strong></div>

<div class="conjugation_explanation_example_sentence">Hoy <strong>es</strong> el uno de setiembre. (<span style="font-style: italic;">Today is September 1st.</span>)</div>

<div class="conjugation_explanation_example_sentence">Mañana <strong>será</strong> mi cumpleaños. (<span style="font-style: italic;">Tomorrow will be my birthday.</span>)</div>

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<div><strong>Occupation</strong></div>

<div class="conjugation_explanation_example_sentence">Ella <strong>era</strong> actriz. (<span style="font-style: italic;">She was an actress.</span>)</div>

<div class="conjugation_explanation_example_sentence">Él <strong>es</strong> científico a la vez que músico. (<span style="font-style: italic;">He is a scientist and musician.</span>)</div>

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<div><strong>Characteristic</strong></div>

<div class="conjugation_explanation_example_sentence">Él <strong>es</strong> un caballero de verdad. (<span style="font-style: italic;">He is a true gentleman.</span>)</div>

<div class="conjugation_explanation_example_sentence">La información <strong>es</strong> pertinente. (<span style="font-style: italic;">The information is relevant.</span>)</div>

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<li>

<div><strong>Time</strong></div>

<div class="conjugation_explanation_example_sentence"><strong>Son</strong> las cuatro y media. (<span style="font-style: italic;">It's half past four.</span>)</div>

<div class="conjugation_explanation_example_sentence"><strong>Es</strong> pasado el mediodía. Comamos. (<span style="font-style: italic;">It's past noon. Let's eat.</span>)</div>

</li>

<li>

<div><strong>Origin</strong> (place or material)</div>

<div class="conjugation_explanation_example_sentence"><strong>Soy</strong> de la ciudad. (<span style="font-style: italic;">I'm from the city.</span>)</div>

<div class="conjugation_explanation_example_sentence">La mesa <strong>es</strong> de madera. (<span style="font-style: italic;">The table is made of wood.</span>)</div>

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<div><strong>Relationships</strong> (family, friends, colleagues, etc.)</div>

<div class="conjugation_explanation_example_sentence">Esas tres <strong>son</strong> sus hijas. (<span style="font-style: italic;">Those three are his daughters.</span>)</div>

<div class="conjugation_explanation_example_sentence">Él <strong>es</strong> mi jefe. (<span style="font-style: italic;">He is my boss.</span>)</div>

</li>

</ul>

<div class="conjugation_explanation_title">ESTAR</div>

<p>

This verb comes from the Latin <span style="font-style: italic">stare</span> (to stand), just like the English word <span style="font-style: italic">status</span>. We use <span style="font-style: italic">estar</span> when we want to describe something's <strong>status</strong>, or how a thing is at the moment. The acronym to remember for <span style="font-style: italic">estar</span> is <strong>PLACE</strong>: we use it to describe <strong>P</strong>osition, <strong>L</strong>ocation, <strong>A</strong>ction, <strong>C</strong>ondition, and <strong>E</strong>motion.

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<ul>

<li>

<div><strong>Position</strong> (physical position or posture)</div>

<div class="conjugation_explanation_example_sentence">Yo <strong>estoy</strong> sentado. (<span style="font-style: italic;">I'm sitting.</span>)</div>

<div class="conjugation_explanation_example_sentence"><strong>Estás</strong> parado sobre mi pie. (<span style="font-style: italic;">You're standing on my foot.</span>)</div>

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<div><strong>Location</strong> (even if it's permanent)</div>

<div class="conjugation_explanation_example_sentence"><strong>Estamos</strong> en París. (<span style="font-style: italic;">We are in Paris.</span>)</div>

<div class="conjugation_explanation_example_sentence">Mi casa <strong>está</strong> a diecisiete kilómetros de la ciudad. (<span style="font-style: italic;">My house is 17 kilometres from the city.</span>)</div>

<div class="conjugation_explanation_example_sentence_note">(The location of the house is permanent, but we still use <strong>estar</strong>.)</div>

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<div><strong>Action</strong> (ongoing actions followed by the present participle)</div>

<div class="conjugation_explanation_example_sentence">Mi novia <strong>estaba</strong> llorando. (<span style="font-style: italic;">My girlfriend was crying.</span>)</div>

<div class="conjugation_explanation_example_sentence">Los niños <strong>están</strong> andando en sus bicicletas. (<span style="font-style: italic;">The children are riding their bikes.</span>)</div>

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<div><strong>Condition</strong> (physical and mental)</div>

<div class="conjugation_explanation_example_sentence">Los niños <strong>están</strong> dormidos. (<span style="font-style: italic;">The kids are asleep.</span>)</div>

<div class="conjugation_explanation_example_sentence">Mi esposa <strong>está</strong> loca. (<span style="font-style: italic;">My wife is mad.</span>)</div>

</li>

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<div><strong>Emotion</strong></div>

<div class="conjugation_explanation_example_sentence">Él <strong>está</strong> enamorado de ella. (<span style="font-style: italic;">He is in love with her.</span>)</div>

<div class="conjugation_explanation_example_sentence"><strong>Estamos</strong> satisfechos. (<span style="font-style: italic;">We're satisfied.</span>)</div>

</li>

</ul>

<div class="conjugation_explanation_title">Exceptions</div>

<div class="conjugation_explanation_example_sentence">El loro <strong>está</strong> muerto. (<span style="font-style: italic;">The parrot is dead.</span>)</div>

<div class="conjugation_explanation_example_sentence_note">(Being dead is regarded as the <strong>result of a change</strong> rather than an intrinsic characteristic of the person or animal.)</div>

<div class="conjugation_explanation_example_sentence">La fiesta <strong>será</strong> al aire libre si el tiempo lo permite. (<span style="font-style: italic;">The party will be held outdoors, weather permitting.</span>)</div>

<div class="conjugation_explanation_example_sentence_note">(When talking about the location of <strong>events</strong>, we have to use <strong>ser</strong>.)</div>

<div class="conjugation_explanation_example_sentence">Esos plátanos <strong>son</strong> deliciosos. (<span style="font-style: italic;">Those bananas are delicious.</span>)</div>

<div class="conjugation_explanation_example_sentence_note">(When referring to a food item in general, as opposed to food currently being eaten, <strong>ser</strong> should be used.)</div>

<div class="conjugation_explanation_title">Phrases</div>

There are some words that can form a phrase with either of the two verbs (with different meanings). Notice how the phrase with <span style="font-style: italic">ser</span> always describes a permanent characteristic while the one with <span style="font-style: italic">estar</span> a temporary condition:

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<div><strong>Phrase</strong></div>

<div><strong>Meaning</strong></div>

<div>ser aburrido</div>

<div>to be boring</div>

<div>estar aburrido</div>

<div>to be bored</div>

<div>ser malo</div>

<div>to be bad</div>

<div>estar malo</div>

<div>to be ill</div>

<div>ser rico</div>

<div>to be rich</div>

<div>estar rico</div>

<div>to be delicious</div>

<div>ser seguro</div>

<div>to be safe</div>

<div>estar seguro</div>

<div>to be certain</div>

</div>

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