Ser/Estar
Ser/Estar + adjective
The following list shows the most important adjectives that change their meanings depending on whether they are used with ser or estar. As a rule of thumb, we can remember that ser is used when something is fundamentally a certain way; estar is only used for temporary conditions.
| adjective | ser | estar |
|---|---|---|
| agrio | be sour (by nature, e.g. lemons) | be sour (milk)/taste sour (e.g. candy) |
| alegre | be happy (by nature) | be happy (due to a particular circumstance)/ have a buzz |
| alto | be tall | be tall (for one’s age) |
| ancho | be broad/wide | be too far for s.o. |
| blanco | be white | be pale (with horror) |
| bueno | be good | be healthy |
| ciego | be blind (biologically) | be (temporarily) blinded |
| despierto | be alert | be awake |
| guapo | be pretty/handsome | look pretty/handsome |
| joven | be young | look young |
| listo | be smart | be done/ready |
| molesto | be annoying/bothersome | be embarrassed |
| nuevo | be new | be (like) new |
| orgulloso | be proud | be proud of |
| perezoso | be lazy (by nature) | be feeling lazy (on a certain day) |
| rico | be rich | taste good |
| rojo | be red | turn red (with embarrassment) |
| verde | be off-color/risque (a joke) | be unripe/immature |
| viejo | be old | look old |
Ser/Estar + participle
On this list you will find participles whose meaning changes depending on whether they are used with ser or with estar.
| participle | ser | estar |
|---|---|---|
| abandonado | be sloppy/careless | be neglected/unkempt |
| abierto | be open-minded | be open/opened |
| aburrido | be boring | be bored |
| agradecido | be grateful (by nature) | be grateful (for a particular thing) |
| callado | be taciturn | not say anything |
| cansado | be exhausting/stressful | be tired |
| considerado | be considerate/thoughtful | be respected/admired |
| despistado | be scatterbrained (by nature) | be absentminded (in a particular situation) |
| desenvuelto | be casual/ingenuous | be unwrapped/unpacked |
| divertido | be funny | be in a good mood |
| equilibrado | be balanced/equal | be balanced (at a certain point in time) |
| interesado | selfish/acquisitive | be involved/concerned in sth. |
| leído | be well-read (a person) | be read (e.g. a book) |
| parado | be shy | be unemployed |
| pesado | be annoying/intrusive | get on one’s nerves |
