The two Spanish verbs that mean “to be” are ser and estar. While some grammar books oversimplify the difference between ser vs. estar as just “permanent vs. temporary,” we’ve included lots of tips and tricks to help you clearly choose between them. You can grasp the difference more naturally when you learn the uses of ser and estar using a variety of authentic examples.
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Do ser and estar mean the same thing?
In English, both ser and estar are common Spanish verbs that translate to “to be,” but they can’t be used interchangeably in Spanish.
Even in situations where both verbs are technically correct in a sentence, the meaning or nuance of the sentence changes depending on which verb you choose. It can even change the meaning of some adjectives.
To learn the forms of ser vs. estar conjugation, learn ser conjugation and estar conjugation in common tenses. Here is a quick chart showing the present tense differences in conjugation, but you’ll want to refer to the other articles for deeper explanations on conjugating these two essential verbs.
| Spanish Subject Pronoun | Ser (Present Conjugation) | Estar (Present Conjugation) | English Meaning |
| yo | soy | estoy | I am |
| tú | eres | estás | you are (singular informal) |
| él/ella/usted | es | está | he/she isyou are |
| nosotros | somos | estamos | we are |
| vosotros | sois | estáis | you are (plural informal, Spain) |
| ellos/ellas/ustedes | son | están | they areyou are (plural) |
What is the difference between ser and estar?
Some learners like the simple rule of “permanent vs temporary,” but this can prove more confusing than helpful, since the reality is that there can be pages of explanations of the differences.
Here are a few key differences between ser and estar:
Ser
- talks about what something is
- is used with characteristics that define the person or thing
Estar
- talks about how something is
- is used with conditions that change without altering what is essential about the person or thing
For instance, imagine un paraguas (an umbrella). You could describe it using a variety of common Spanish adjectives, but each adjective is assigned into one of the categories of either ser or estar.
If you’re describing a particular umbrella, the characteristics of color, size, quality, and beauty would use ser. These more-or-less permanent characteristics all help you to visualize the umbrella.
- El paraguas es rojo, grande, bueno, y bonito = The umbrella is red, large, good quality, and cute.
At any given moment, the same big red umbrella could be open or closed, wet or dry, dirty or clean. Each of those conditions are not permanent, so you’ll use estar.
- El paraguas está abierto, mojado, y sucio. = The umbrella is open, wet, and dirty.
- Ahora el paraguas está cerrado, seco, y limpio. = Now the umbrella is closed, dry, and clean.
There are many more contexts in which you’ll need to choose between ser vs. estar. The authentic examples in this guide and in Rosetta Stone’s Dynamic Immersion method can help you understand when to use each one.
6 ways to know when to use ser
The verb ser is the correct choice in these contexts. The acronym “DOCTOR” works as a mnemonic device to help you remember when ser is the right verb.
- D: Definition
- O: Origin
- C: Characteristic
- T: Time and Date
- O: Occupation
- R: Relationship
1. Definition and identification
Ser is the correct verb for defining objects or finding out what they are called.
- ¿Qué es esto? = What is this?
- Es un periódico. = It is a newspaper.
- Es una manzana. = It is an apple.
- Ella es una huésped. = She is a guest.
- Estos animales son muy grandes. = These animals are very big.
You might even use ser to define itself.
- Ser es un verbo. = “Ser” is a verb.
- Ser y estar son verbos.= “Ser” and “estar” are verbs.
2. Origin
To tell where someone or something is from, use ser de.
- ¿De dónde es usted? = Where are you from? (formal)
- ¿De dónde eres tú? = Where are you from? (informal)
- Soy de Brasil. = I am from Brazil.
- Ella es de los Estados Unidos. = She is from the United States.
3. Characteristic
Use ser to describe essential characteristics of a noun, such as a color, size, weight, beauty, material, or shape. For people, use ser to describe their general physical appearance or personality.
- La leche es blanca. = Milk is white.
- La flor es pequeña. = The flower is small.
- Soy alto.= I am tall.
- Esto es de plástico. = This is made of plastic.
4. Time and Date
To discuss the day of the week, the date, telling time in Spanish, or other calendar items, use ser.
- Hoy es mi cumpleaños. = Today is my birthday.
- ¿Hoy es el cinco de junio? = Today is June 5th?
- Son las ocho y media. = It is 8:30.
5. Occupation
The verb ser is used to discuss occupations.
- Yo soy gerente de una oficina. = I am a manager in an office.
- Ellos son alumnos. = They are students.
- Nosotras somos meseras. = We are waitresses.
6. Relationship and Belonging
To discuss relationships and belonging, ser is the correct verb. If you’re using possessive pronouns such as mío (mine) or tuyo (yours) or possessive adjectives such as mi (my) or nuestro (our), you’ll likely choose ser.
- Este perro es mío. = This dog is mine.
- Ella es mi madre. = She is my mother.
- Él es mi sobrino. = He is my nephew.
- ¿Cuáles son tus colores favoritos? = What are your favorite colors?
- Mi abuelo es nuestro vecino. Él vive en nuestro mismo piso. = My grandfather is our neighbor. He lives on our floor.
Also note that to reference possession, there is no “apostrophe s” in Spanish. Instead, use de (of) to indicate that someone belongs to someone.
- Es la pierna de un niño. = This is a boy’s leg.
5 ways to know when to use estar
There are some easy contexts to memorize when deciding between estar vs. ser. To master using estar, use the mnemonic device “PLACE.”
- P: Position
- L: Location
- A: Action in progress
- C: Condition
- E: Emotion
1. Position
To indicate the relative position of an object or person, use estar. This is true even if the position is permanent, such as with buildings in a city. It’s helpful to learn estar alongside Spanish adverbs of place.
- El banco está al lado de la biblioteca. = The bank is beside the library.
- El banco está a la derecha. = The bank is on the right.
- La servilleta está sobre la mesa. = The napkin is on the table.
- El lavaplatos está debajo de la encimera.= The dishwasher is under the counter.
2. Location
Use estar to indicate someone or something’s location.
- Estoy en el trabajo. = I am at work.
- Usted está aquí. = You are here.
- Nuestros invitados están a la puerta. = Our guests are at the door.
- Creo que no estamos en el edificio correcto. = I think we are not in the correct building.
Exception: Use ser for the location of planned events.
- El concierto es en el parque a las siete. = The concert is in the park at seven o’clock.
- La boda es en Francia. = The wedding is in France.
3. Action in progress
The progressive tenses are Spanish verb tenses that focus on an action that is occurring in that moment. For example, in the present progressive, use estar as the auxiliary verb to talk about what is happening or what someone is doing. The main verb usually ends in “-ing” in the English translation.
- ¿Qué estás cocinando? = What are you cooking?
- Estoy limpiando el lavabo. = I am cleaning the sink.
- La alumna está ordenando la biblioteca. = The student is organizing the library.
- ¿Qué estáis estudiando hoy? = What are you studying today?
4. Condition
Changeable conditions generally use estar. For example, dishes can be sucios (dirty) or limpios (clean). Stores can be abiertas (open) or cerradas (closed).
- El vaso está lleno. = The glass is full.
- Disculpe, estamos perdidos. ¿Dónde está el templo? = Excuse me, we are lost. Where is the temple?
- La ropa del jugador de béisbol está sucia. = The baseball player’s clothing is dirty.
- La joyería está abierta. = The jewelry store is open.
Note that muerto (dead) is considered a condition and falls into the estar category, even though it’s “permanent.” If someone or something is muerto, they were once vivo (alive).
5. Emotion
Feelings and emotions, except for the ones that use tener (to have) in Spanish, will generally be paired with estar. Think of feelings and emotions as temporary conditions.
- Buenos días. ¿Cómo está usted? = Good morning. How are you?
- Mi hija está feliz porque le gusta jugar con sus primos. = My daughter is happy because she likes to play with her cousins.
- La mujer está triste porque se va.= The woman is sad because she is leaving.
- Estoy confundido porque no puedo entender estas señales. = I’m confused because I can’t understand these signs.
When does using ser vs. estar change the meaning of a sentence?
It’s true, sometimes both ser and estar can be correct in a sentence, but it can change the meaning.
The use of ser indicates an essential or defining quality or characteristic.
- La profe es aburrida. = The teacher is boring.
The use of estar expresses a state or condition.
- La profe está aburrida. = The teacher is bored.
You can even combine them together like this:
- La profe es aburrida, entonces estoy aburrida. = The teacher is boring, so I am bored.
Sometimes the difference between ser and estar can be more nuanced. Consider these ser and estar examples.
- Ser: El perro es feliz. = The dog is happy. (He’s a happy dog.)
- Estar: El perro está feliz. = The dog is feeling happy. (He’s having a great day.)
In the first example, the use of es (is), a form of ser, indicates that the dog can generally be described as happy. The dog has a happy personality. Happiness is a defining quality of this dog.
In the second sentence, the use of está (is), a form of estar, expresses happiness in the moment, probably for a particular reason. The dog is feeling particularly happy. Perhaps its beloved owner has returned and it’s time for a walk. The focus is on a particular moment of happiness.
Adjectives that change meaning with ser vs. estar
Some other adjectives that change meaning depending which verb you choose, one of the interesting parts of this Spanish grammar rule. Use this helpful ser vs. estar chart when you’re forming descriptive sentences.
| Spanish Adjective | Meaning When Used With Ser | Meaning When Used With Estar |
| abierto/abierta | having an open mind or being outgoing | to be open (opposite of shut) |
| bueno/buena | of good quality or nature | tasty (food) or attractive |
| listo/lista | clever/intelligent | ready/prepared |
| malo/mala | evil/of bad quality or nature | ill/sick |
| orgulloso/orgullosa | prideful | proud (of an accomplishment) |
| rico/rica | rich (having a lot of money) | delicious (food) |
| seguro/segura | safe/secure | sure/certain |
| verde | green in color | unripe |
| vivo/viva | lively/vibrant | alive |
Frequently asked questions about using ser vs. estar
Even with the tips and tricks described in this guide, you’re likely to have questions and concerns as you master these confusing grammar rules. Rosetta Stone is here to help, through authentic Spanish examples and even live lessons or expert tutoring. Keep noticing the patterns and you’ll sort out the difference between ser vs. estar in time.
Do you use ser or estar to say “I am a student?”
While being a student is likely a temporary condition, it’s currently the person’s occupation, so use ser.
- Soy estudiante. = I am a student.
Is age ser or estar?
Actually, neither in standard Spanish. Instead, use the verb tener (to have) # años (years).
- Tengo 21 años. = I am 21. (Literally, “I have 21 years.”)
- ¿Cuántos años tienes? = How old are you? (Literally “How many years do you have?”)
Is it ser or estar to say “lazy?”
Well, it may depend on your meaning. If you use ser, you’re saying that someone is generally lazy.
- El perro es perezoso. = The dog is lazy.
If you use estar, you are referring to a temporary feeling of laziness.
- Hoy estoy perezoso. No me apetece hacer nada. = Today I’m feeling lazy. I don’t feel like doing anything.
Do you use ser or estar with guapo?
Both can be correct depending on your meaning.
- Eres muy guapo. = You are very good-looking. (In general, the person is attractive).
- ¡Estás muy guapo! = You look so good! (The person looks particularly attractive right now.)
This is the case with many adjectives.
- Es muy flaca. = She is very skinny. (Objectively, all of the time).
- Está muy flaca. = She looks skinnier than normal. (You’re pointing out a change.)
How do you conjugate ser vs. estar?
Ser is irregular, so it doesn’t follow the patterns of regular -ER verbs in Spanish. Estar is also irregular in many tenses, not always following regular – AR verbs in Spanish. Learning ser and estar conjugations in various tenses is a big part of learning Spanish.
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