Expressing 'to be' (ser vs. estar)

01

Using 'Ser' for Essential Qualities

Ser is used to describe the essence of a person or thing. It refers to permanent or long-lasting attributes that define what something is.

Identity and Profession

Use ser to say who someone is, their nationality, or their job.

• Jo sóc l'Anna.

  I am Anna.

• Els meus veïns són francesos.

  My neighbors are French.

• El meu germà és arquitecte.

  My brother is an architect.

Inherent Characteristics

This includes personality traits, physical descriptions that are generally stable, and the material something is made of.

• La Maria és molt simpàtica.

  Maria is very nice.

• Aquesta cadira és de plàstic.

  This chair is made of plastic.

• Els seus ulls són verds.

  His eyes are green.

Time, Dates, and Events

Ser is used to tell time, state the day or date, and describe where an event takes place.

• Són les deu del matí.

  It's ten in the morning.

• Avui és divendres.

  Today is Friday.

• El concert és al Palau Sant Jordi.

  The concert is at Palau Sant Jordi.

Relationships and Possession

It also defines relationships between people and indicates ownership.

• Ell és el meu marit.

  He is my husband.

• Aquestes claus són meves.

  These keys are mine.

02

Using 'Estar' for States and Conditions

Estar is used to describe temporary conditions, locations, and ongoing actions. It refers to how something is at a particular moment.

Location

Use estar to specify the physical location of a person or object.

• Estem a la platja.

  We are at the beach.

• El llibre està sobre la taula.

  The book is on the table.

• On esteu?

  Where are you (all)?

Temporary States and Emotions

This includes feelings, moods, health, and physical conditions that can change.

• Avui estic molt cansat.

  Today I am very tired.

• Com estàs? Estic bé, gràcies.

  How are you? I'm well, thanks.

• La porta està oberta.

  The door is open.

Forming the Progressive Tense

Estar is combined with a gerund (the -ant, -ent, -int form of a verb) to describe an action in progress, similar to -ing in English.

• Estic llegint un llibre.

  I am reading a book.

• Què esteu fent?

  What are you (all) doing?

• Està plovent molt fort.

  It is raining very hard.

03

When the Choice of Verb Changes the Meaning

With certain adjectives, using ser or estar completely changes the meaning of the sentence. Ser describes a permanent trait, while estar describes a temporary condition.

Ser avorrit vs. Estar avorrit

• Aquest documental és molt avorrit.

  This documentary is very boring. (It is inherently uninteresting.)

• Estic avorrit perquè no tinc res a fer.

  I am bored because I have nothing to do. (I am feeling bored right now.)

Ser guapo/a vs. Estar guapo/a

• En Pau és un home molt guapo.

  Pau is a very handsome man. (He is generally good-looking.)

• Avui estàs molt guapa amb aquest vestit!

  You look very beautiful today in that dress! (You look particularly good right now.)

Ser llest/a vs. Estar llest/a

• La meva filla és molt llesta, aprèn de seguida.

  My daughter is very smart, she learns quickly. (She is intelligent.)

• El sopar ja està llest.

  The dinner is ready now. (It is prepared.)

Ser bo/bona vs. Estar bo/bona

• Fer esport és bo per a la salut.

  Doing sports is good for your health. (It is a good thing in general.)

• Aquesta paella està boníssima!

  This paella is delicious! (It tastes good.)

04

Special Cases

Some common states use estar even if they seem long-lasting.

Marital Status: Considered a changeable civil state.

• Estic casat i tinc dos fills.

  I am married and have two children.

• Ella està soltera.

  She is single.

Life and Death: Being dead is a final state, but it is described with estar.

• La meva planta està morta.

  My plant is dead.

• El gat sembla adormit, però no, està viu.

  The cat seems asleep, but no, it is alive.