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Ser and Estar

The two most commonly used Spanish verbs are Ser and Estar.
Ser and estar are the Spanish equivalents of the English verb, "to be".

to be

ser

estar

singular

singular

singular

I am

soy

estoy

you are

eres

estás

he/she is

es

está

plural

plural

plural

we are

somos

estamos

You are

sois

estáis

they are

son

están

In English, the verb “to be” can be somewhat ambiguous. An example of this is shown below:

‘The banana is green’

  1. the first meaning is that the banana is not yet ripe and; (the condition)
  2. the second is that the banana is of a particular colour (essential characteristic.)

 

In Spanish, estar is used to express a condition and ser is used to express the essential characteristic.

El plátano está verde. El plátano es verde.
The banana is green. (condition)
The banana is green (essence)

Ser:

Is the most used of the two verbs as it is used to express a characteristic or a permanent state and is used to indicate the following;

1.
Identity
 
Soy Juan.
I am John
 
 
2.
Possession
 
El coche es de Danny.
The car is Danny’s
 
 
3.
Origin
 
Mi amigo es de Malaga.
My friend is from Malaga.
 
4.
Nationality
   
Somos ingleses.
  
We are English
 
 
5.
Occupation
   
La madre de mi mujer es comadrona.
  

My wife’s mother is a midwife
 
 
6.
Material that something is made from
   
La casa es de madera.
  

The house is made of wood.
 
 
7.
Characteristics
   
Mi hijo es muy alto.
  

My son is very tall
 
 
8.
Date and Time
 
Hoy es el sábado.
  
Today is Saturday
 
Son los siete.
  
It’s seven o’clock
 
 
9.
Impersonal expressions
 
Es ahora o nunca.
  
It is now or never
 
Es tiempo para almorzar.
  
It is time for lunch.
 
 
10.
Religious or political affiliation
 
Ellos son católicos.
 
They are catholic
 
Somos socialistas.
  
We are socialists
     
11.
Relationship of one person to another
 
Maria es la hermana de David.
  
Maria is David’s sister.

Estar:

Is used to indicate the following:

1.
Temporary states or conditions
 
Juan está enfermo.
John is sick.
 
2.
Position whether it is temporary or permanent.
    
 
Melanie está en el jardín
Melanie is in the garden.
 
¿Dónde está Chile?
Where is Chile?
 
3.
In idiomatic expressions.
 
Estar en las nubes
To daydream
 
Estar en camino
To be on the way
 
4.
Used with progressive tenses.
 
Estoy comiendo arroz y frijoles
I am eating rice and beans.