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The Spanish language has two verbs for the term "to be": ser and estar. These two very important Spanish verbs have very specific uses and they cannot be used in place of one another.
Ser: common forms
yo soy
I am
tú eres
you are
usted es
you are
él es
he is
ella es
she is |
nosotros(as) somos
we are
vosotros(as) sois
you are
ustedes son
you are
ellos son
they are
ellas son
they are (all females) |
Ser is used to:
- describe relatively permanent basic traits and characteristics
- tell who or what the subject is
- indicate:
- physical traits
- nationality or origin
- profession
- basic personality traits
- possession
- time and date
Examples:
Soy americano.
I am an American.
Juan es abogado.
Juan is a lawyer.
Julia es joven.
Julia is young.
El reloj es de Alberto.
The watch belongs to Alberto.
Son las tres.
It's three o'clock.
¿De dónde es usted?
Where are you from?
Soy de México.
I'm from Mexico.
Estar: common forms
yo estoy
I am
tú estás
you are
usted está
you are
él está
he is
ella está
she is |
nosotros(as) estamos
we are
vosotros(as) estáis
you are
ustedes están
you are
ellos están
they are
ellas están
they are (all females) |
Estar is used to describe:
- temporary states or conditions and those that are subject to change
- location
- how the subject is or feels
- physical condition
- feelings and emotions
Examples:
El no está bien.
He is not well.
Estoy triste hoy.
I am sad today.
Nosotros estamos en casa.
We're at home.
Carlos está en el hospital.
Carlos is in the hospital.
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