Expressing 'to be' (ser vs. estar)

01

Using 'Ser': Essential Qualities & Identity

Use ser to talk about what something or someone is. This includes characteristics that are seen as inherent, permanent, or part of an identity.

Descriptions and Characteristics

This refers to the fundamental nature of a person, place, or thing.

• Mi casa es grande y blanca.

  My house is big and white.

• Ella es muy inteligente y simpática.

  She is very intelligent and nice.

Occupations

A person's job or profession is described with ser, even if it's not permanent.

• Yo soy maestra.

  I am a teacher.

• Mis hermanos son ingenieros.

  My brothers are engineers.

Time, Dates, and Days

Use ser to tell time and talk about the calendar.

• Son las cinco de la tarde.

  It's five in the afternoon.

• Hoy es lunes, 15 de marzo.

  Today is Monday, March 15th.

Origin and Nationality

This describes where someone or something is from.

• Somos de Monterrey.

  We are from Monterrey.

• El café de Chiapas es delicioso.

  Coffee from Chiapas is delicious.

Relationships

Family connections, friendships, and other relationships use ser.

• Él es mi esposo.

  He is my husband.

• Laura y Sofía son mis mejores amigas.

  Laura and Sofía are my best friends.

02

Using 'Estar': States, Conditions & Location

Use estar to talk about how something or someone is at a particular moment. This includes temporary states, feelings, physical locations, and actions in progress.

Location

This refers to the physical position of a person or object.

• Estoy en la oficina.

  I am at the office.

• ¿Dónde están los niños? Están en el parque.

  Where are the children? They are at the park.

• Oaxaca está en el sur de México.

  Oaxaca is in the south of Mexico.

Emotions and Physical States

How a person feels emotionally or physically is a temporary condition.

• Hoy estoy muy cansado.

  Today I am very tired.

• ¿Por qué estás triste?

  Why are you sad?

• La sopa está fría.

  The soup is cold.

Actions in Progress (Present Progressive)

Estar is combined with a gerund (a verb ending in -ando or -iendo) to describe an action happening right now.

• Estoy leyendo un libro.

  I am reading a book.

• Estamos comiendo tacos al pastor.

  We are eating tacos al pastor.

03

An Exception: Location of Events

While estar is used for the location of people and objects, ser is used to state where an event takes place.

• La fiesta es en casa de Jorge.

  The party is at Jorge's house.

• El concierto fue en el Auditorio Nacional.

  The concert was at the National Auditorium.

Compare this to the location of a building: El Auditorio Nacional está en la Ciudad de México. (The National Auditorium is in Mexico City.)

04

When the Verb Changes the Meaning

With certain adjectives, the choice between ser and estar significantly changes the meaning of the sentence.

Boring vs. Bored

• Ser aburrido means to be a boring person or thing (a characteristic).
• Estar aburrido means to feel bored (a temporary emotion).

• Este documental es muy aburrido.

  This documentary is very boring.

• Estoy aburrido porque no tengo nada que hacer.

  I am bored because I have nothing to do.

Smart vs. Ready

• Ser listo/a means to be smart or clever (a quality).
• Estar listo/a means to be ready (a state).

• Mi sobrina es muy lista para su edad.

  My niece is very smart for her age.

• La cena ya está lista.

  Dinner is ready now.

Good vs. Tasty/Attractive

• Ser bueno/a means to be a good person or of good quality.
• Estar bueno/a can mean that food is tasty or, colloquially, that a person is attractive.

• Mi abuelo es un hombre muy bueno.

  My grandfather is a very good man.

• ¡Qué buenos están estos chilaquiles!

  These chilaquiles are so tasty!