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🇪🇸Spanish Ser vs Estar

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In Spanish, ser and estar both mean “to be,” but they are used in different ways. Ser is used for more permanent, lasting, or defining qualities, while estar is used for temporary states, conditions, or locations. Here’s how to know which one to use:

Ser

Ser describes what something is. For example:
  1. Identity: Who or what someone is (name, profession, nationality).
  2. Characteristics: Permanent or long-lasting traits (appearance, personality).
  3. Origin: Where someone or something is from.
  4. Time and Date: Days, dates, and hours.
  5. Possession: Who owns something.
  6. Events: Where and when events take place.

Examples

Spanish Example
Soy Ana.
English Example
Reason
Identity
(1 of 10)

Expressions

Spanish ExpressionSpanish Example
ser deMaría es de un valle tranquilo.
English TranslationEnglish Example
(1 of 9)

Estar

Estar describes how it is (at a given moment). For example:
  1. Location: Where someone or something is (except events).
  2. Temporary Conditions: How someone feels or temporary states.
  3. Ongoing Actions: Actions happening right now (present progressive).
  4. Results of Actions: Conditions resulting from actions (e.g., a door being closed).

Examples

Spanish Example
Soy Ana.
English Example
Reason
Identity
(1 of 10)

Expressions

Spanish ExpressionSpanish Example
ser deMaría es de un valle tranquilo.
English TranslationEnglish Example
(1 of 9)

Special Adjectives

Some adjectives change meaning depending on whether you use ser or estar.
Spanish Sentence serSpanish Sentence estar
Diego es divertido.Diego está divertido.
English Translation serEnglish Translation estar
(1 of 6)

Summary

Use ser for permanent, defining qualities, and estar for temporary states and locations.

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Last updated: Thu Jul 17, 2025