Contrasting Ser vs. Estar
Learn Spanish: Comparing The Spanish Verbs Ser and Estar
You previously learned about the Spanish verbs Ser and Estar, both which mean to be. In this learn Spanish grammar lesson, we compare both Spanish verbs, Ser and Estar to further distinguish when to use each one.
Here is a recap contrasting the differences.
SER |
ESTAR |
ORIGIN/NATIONALITY |
LOCATION |
| To say where the subject is from.
¿ De dónde eres, Daniel?
(Where are you from, Daniel?)
Soy de Chile. Soy chileno.
(I’m from Chile. I am chilean.)
|
To say where the subject is.
¿ Dónde estás Daniel?
(Where are you, Daniel?)
Estoy en Argentina.
(I’m in Argentina.)
|
IDENTITY AND DESCRIPTION OF PEOPLE & THINGS |
|
Usted es profesor y ella es arquitecta.
(You are a professor and she is an architect.)
Yo soy cátolico.
(I am catholic.)
Mi libro es grande.
(
My book is big.) |
|
PERSONALITY & PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS |
TEMPORARY CONDITIONS |
| Ser is used to describe the inner qualities and physical characteristics of the subject.
¿Cómo eres?
(What are you like?)
Soy alta, tranquila, simpática y atlética.
(
I am tall, calm, nice and athletic.) |
Estar is used to describe the condition of a person or a thing, how the subject feels, looks or appears at a given time.
¿Cómo estás hoy?
(
How are you (feeling) today?)
Estoy nerviosa y cansada.
(
I am nervous and tired.)
|
Ser and Estar when used with some adjectives experience a change in meaning
While Ser is used to describe the inner characteristic of the subject, Estar expresses the temporary condition of the subject in a given moment.
| SER + |
Estar + |
| aburrido/a = to be boring |
aburrido/a= to be bored |
| buena/o = to be good |
buena/o = to look or taste good. |
| guapo/a = to be pretty/handsome |
guapo/a = to look pretty/handsome at a given time. |
La película es aburrida.
The movie is boring.
Los muchachos están aburridos ahora.
The boys are bored now.
La leche es buena para Ud.
Milk is good for you.
La leche está muy buena hoy.
The milk tastes very good today.
Mi padre es muy guapo.
My father is very handsome.
Mi madre está muy guapa hoy
My mother looks very pretty today.
|
