Ser/Estar – Verbs in Spanish Grammar

Just here for the exercises? Click here.

Introduction

The English verb be has two translations in Spanish grammar: ser and estar. Ser is used to describe qualities and characteristics, in the passive with ser + participle and in connection with adverbs of time. The verb estar describes temporary conditions or states, location, and is used to conjugate the progressive tense (estar + gerundio).

Learn the difference between ser and estar with Lingolia’s online grammar rules and exercises. Our comprehensive lists help you learn which words are followed by ser or estar.

Conjugation of Spanish Verbs: ser/estar

The conjugation tables below provide an overview of the conjugations of the verbs ser and estar in key tenses in the indicative mood.

ser

Pres. Pret. Imperfecto Pret. Indefinido Futuro
yo soy era fui seré
tú eres eras fuiste serás
él es era fue será
nos. somos éramos fuimos seremos
vos. sois erais fuisteis seréis
ellos son eran fueron serán

estar

PresentePret. ImperfectoPret. IndefinidoFuturo
yo estoy estaba estuve estaré
tú estás estabas estuviste estarás
él está estaba estuvo estará
nos. estamos estábamos estuvimos estaremos
vos. estáis estabais estuvisteis estaréis
ellos están estaban estuvieron estarán

Usage

The verb ser is used to describe the following:

  • inherent/identifying characteristics and physical appearance
    Example:
    Félix y Raúl son altos.Félix and Raúl are tall.
    Antón es muy simpático.Antón is the cleverest.
  • identity and permanent qualities (nationality, religion etc.)
    Example:
    Yo soy Santiago.I am Santiago.
    Este es el Teatro Real. This is the Teatro Real.
    Susana es de Venezuela.Susana is from Venezuela.
    La familia de Carlos es católica.Carlos’s family is catholic.
  • personal relationships
    Example:
    Tatiana y Sarai son mis hermanas.Tatiana and Sarai are my friends.
    Estos son mis amigos.These are my friends.
    Elisa es mi exnovia.Elisa is my ex-girlfriend.
  • where/when something takes place
    Example:
    El partido de fútbol es en Valencia.The football match is in Valencia.
    El partido es el miércoles.The match is on Wednesday.
  • information about day/date/season/time
    Example:
    Hoy es domingo.Today is Sunday.
    Hoy es 1 de abril.Today is April 1st.
    Es primavera.It’s spring.
    ¿Qué hora es? Son las diez.What time is it? It’s 10 o’clock.
  • in the passive voice
    Example:
    Las camas son hechas por Claudia.The beds are made by Claudia.
  • in connection with adverbs of time
    Example:
    Aquí ya es de noche.Here it’s already nighttime.
  • with the preposition para, to indicate purpose or finality
    Example:
    Esa máquina es para Gabriel.This machine is for Gabriel.
    Esa máquina es para hacer zumos.This machine is for making juice.
  • information about price
    Example:
    —¿Cuánto es?How much is it? It’s 120 euro.
    —Son 120 euros.
  • material, possession/belonging, origin
    Example:
    Ese anillo es de oro.This ring is made of gold.
    Ese anillo es de María.This ring belongs to María.
    Ese anillo es de Perú.This ring comes from Peru.
  • for professions (without an indefinite article)
    Example:
    Juana es ingeniera.Juana is an engineer.
    Ramón es periodista.Ramon is a journalist.
    but:
    Estoy en paroI am unemployed.

The verb estar is used to describe the following:

  • temporary characteristics, including condition of health
    Example:
    Está triste.He/She is sad about the text.
    Estoy enfermo.I've been sick since yesterday.
  • how someone/something looks, seems or appears
    Example:
    Mi abuela de 70 años está muy joven.My 70-year-old grandma seems young for her age.
    Alfredo está muy moreno.Alfredo is very suntanned.
  • marital status
    Example:
    Estoy soltero.I’m single.
    Estoy prometido.I’m engaged.
    Estoy casado.I’m married.
    Estoy divorciado.I’m divorced.
    but: Soy viudo.I’m widowed.
  • where something is located
    Example:
    El estadio está en Valencia.The stadium is in Valencia.
    Los jugadores están en el hotel.The players are in the hotel.
  • day/date/season (but not time) in the 1st person plural with the prepositions a/en
    Example:
    Estamos a domingo.Today is Sunday.
    Estamos a 1 de abril.Today is April 1st.
    Estamos en primavera.It’s spring.
    ¿A qué día estamos hoy?What day is today?
  • in connection with modal adverbs
    Example:
    Está bien irse de vacaciones una vez al año.It’s good to go on holiday once a year.
  • with preposition de + noun, to express moods or situations
    Example:
    Marco siempre está de buen humor.Marco is always in a good mood.
    Marisa está ahora de camarera en Ibiza.Marisa is working as a waitress in Ibiza.
    Mi hermana está de parto.My sister is in labour.
    Carla y Marina están de guardia este fin de semana.
  • information about price with the preposition a
    Example:
    —¿A cuánto están las manzanas?How much are the apples? – They are 2 euros a kilo.
    —Están a 2 euros el kilo.
  • to describe the way something has been produced
    Example:
    fabricado + en/con + material: estar fabricado en oro be made of/fabricated in gold
    hecho + de/con + material: estar hecho de papelbe made of paper
    bañado + en + material: estar bañado en platabe silver plated
  • in the present progressive tense with estar + gerundio
    Example:
    Estamos cenando en el jardín.We’re having dinner in the garden.

To Note

Some adjectives have a different meaning depending on whether they are used with ser or with estar.

Example:
Lara es muy rica.Lara is very rich.
La tortilla está muy rica.The omelette is delicious.

Adjectives with ser/estar

On the following pages, we’ve listed some important adjectives that are used with either ser or estar.