Ser or estar? The first rule
Both mean “to be”. Ser says what something is; estar says where it is and how it is right now.
PART01
Theory
Ask yourself: is this what it is, or where / how it is now?
Side by side
| Who | ser | estar |
|---|---|---|
| yo | soy | estoy |
| tú | eres | estás |
| él / ella / usted | es | está |
| nosotros/as | somos | estamos |
| vosotros/as | sois | estáis |
| ellos / ellas / ustedes | son | están |
The first rule
| Verb | Use | Example |
|---|---|---|
| ser | Identity | Soy Lucía. |
| Origin | Soy de Valencia. | |
| Job | Es profesora. | |
| Personality, looks | Es alto y simpático. | |
| estar | Location | Estoy en Valencia. |
| Feelings | Estoy contenta. | |
| Condition now | La sopa está fría. |
Memory trick: DOCTOR → ser
Description
Occupation
Characteristic
Time
Origin
Relationship
Es mi hermana. = She’s my sister.
Son las tres. = It’s three o’clock.
Memory trick: PLACE → estar
Position
Location
Action
Condition
Emotion
Está en casa. = He / She is at home.
Está triste. = He / She is sad.
Time and dates → ser
Hoy es lunes. = Today is Monday.
Son las tres. = It’s three o’clock.
Same word, new meaning
Es aburrido = he’s boring
Está aburrido = he’s bored
Es listo = he’s clever
Está listo = he’s ready
Trap: events use ser
Places use estar, but where an event happens uses ser:
La fiesta es en mi casa. = The party is at my house.
bien / mal → estar
Estoy bien. = I’m well.
Never soy bien.