A1 · Verbs
Ser o estar
Two verbs where English has one, and the usual explanation — permanent against temporary — breaks down almost immediately. Está muerto is about as permanent as things get, and es joven is temporary by definition. The workable split is different: ser says what something is, estar says how or where it is.
When to use ser
- Identity and profession
- Origin and nationality
- Material and possession
- Time, dates and events
- Description that defines
When to use estar
- Location of a thing or person
- Mood and physical state
- Result of a change
- Actions in progress
- How something tastes or looks now
Ser: identity
- Who or what: Marta es profesora
- Origin: es de Lima
- Material: la mesa es de madera
- Time and dates: son las siete
- Possession: el perro es de mi primo
- Description that defines: la casa es pequeña
Estar: state and place
- Location: la abuela está en Comas
- Mood or condition: estoy cansado
- Result of a change: la ropa está mojada
- In progress: estoy esperando
- Opinion from tasting or seeing: la sopa está rica
Same adjective, two meanings
- Es aburrido.He is boring.
- Está aburrido.He is bored.
- Es listo.He is clever.
- Está listo.He is ready.
- La manzana es verde.The apple is a green variety.
- La manzana está verde.The apple is not ripe.
The better question
Instead of asking whether the quality lasts, ask what kind of information you are giving. Ser classifies: it puts the subject in a category. Estar locates or reports a condition: it says how the subject is doing right now, or where it is. Es nervioso means anxiety is part of who he is; está nervioso means he is nervous today.
- Es nervioso.He is an anxious person.
- Está nervioso.He is nervous right now.
- Es guapo.He is good-looking.
- Está guapo.He looks good today.
Location has one exception
Things and people are located with estar. Events are located with ser, because an event does not sit somewhere, it takes place. La fiesta es en mi casa, but la casa está en Comas.
- La reunión es en la oficina.The meeting is in the office.
- La oficina está en el centro.The office is in the centre.
Estar plus the gerund
Estar is also the verb that builds the progressive. Spanish uses it far less than English does, reserving it for what is happening at this exact moment rather than for arrangements.
- Estoy cocinando.I am cooking right now.
- Mañana ceno con ellos.I am having dinner with them tomorrow. · Spanish uses the present here
Adjectives that flip meaning
| Adjective | With ser | With estar |
|---|---|---|
| listo | clever | ready |
| aburrido | boring | bored |
| rico | wealthy | delicious |
| verde | green in colour | unripe |
| malo | bad, evil | ill |
| orgulloso | arrogant | proud of something |
| vivo | sharp, lively | alive |
Examples
- Marta es peruana.Marta is Peruvian.
- Marta está en el bosque.Marta is in the forest.
- La sopa es de pollo.The soup is chicken soup.
- La sopa está fría.The soup is cold.
Mistakes to avoid
Soy cansado.
Estoy cansado.
Tiredness is a state, not an identity.
La fiesta está en mi casa el sábado.
La fiesta es en mi casa el sábado.
Events take ser even though it feels like location.
Estoy peruano.
Soy peruano.
Origin is always ser.
Watch out
Some adjectives change meaning: es aburrido means he is boring, está aburrido means he is bored.
Try it
Mi abuela ___ en Comas.
La casa ___ pequeña, pero la mesa ___ grande.
A las siete todos ___ cansados.
La reunión ___ en la oficina.
Esta sopa ___ riquísima.
Mi hermano ___ muy listo, saca buenas notas.