What is the difference bewteen ser and estar in Spanish?
In this article on frequently asked questions about Spanish Grammar we will answer this question clearly and concisely.
At CELA Spanish School we explain the topic to our students in this way:
Verb ser = characteristics
Verb estar = state or condition and location
(Read this article in Spanish)
Let’s look at this in detail:
The verbs ser and estar have only one translation in most languages. This means that the difference between the two verbs in those languages does not exist.
Usage of ser:
In Spanish we use the verb ser to talk about the characteristics of the subject of the sentence. The subject of the sentence is the person or thing that does the action:
For example:
Pedro es español. (This is a characteristic of Pedro.)
Characteristics can be permanent, that is, they do not change:
Pedro es viejo.
But they can also change:
Pedro es joven.
This is a mistake of many grammars. Characteristics can be both; permanent and transitory.
Other examples of characteristics:
Caracas es la capital de Venezuela.
Mi madre es muy buena cocinera.
Los alumnos son estudiosos.
Mis vecinos son muy amables.
These are all characteristics, and many may vary. Caracas will probably always be the capital of Venezuela, but my mother will not always cook well, my students will not always be studious, nor will my neighbors always be kind.
But estudioso, amable and buena cocinera are characteristics of these people. It is part of their character and their way of being. Obviously, they can change.
Usage of estar:
The verb estar is used to talk about the location of something or someone:
El restaurante está en la esquina.
Los niños están en la escuela.
Caracas está en Venezuela.
It is also used to talk about the state or condition a person or thing is in.
Luis está contento.
María está enferma.
La mesa está rota.
El perro está asustado.
We explain to our students that the states or conditions are determined by something that happened to the person, animal or thing, and the state is the result.
For example:
Luis está contento. (He probably got a rise.)
María está enferma. (She got wet in the rain.)
La mesa está rota. (Someone broke it.)
El perro está asustado. (Something frightened him.)
State or conditions can also be permanent or transitory.
El perro está muerto. (permanent)
La fruta está podrida. (permanent)
María está enferma. (transitory)
Luis está contento. (transitory)
However, you can perfectly well say: Luis siempre está contento and María siempre está enferma because the difference between ser and estar has nothing to do with time.
This is a mistake in the explanations of many books and many teachers.
The real difference between ser and estar:
The differences between the two verbs are: ser for characteristics and estar for states, condition or location.
Sometimes there are 2 options with the same adjective because that adjective can indicate a characteristic and also a state or condition :
For example:
La puerta está abierta. (It is a state, someone has opened it).
Los venezolanos son muy abiertos. (Characteristic, that’s the character of Venezuelans)
Luis está feliz. (He’s in a good mood, something good happened to him)
Luis es feliz. (It’s his attitude, it’s a characteristic, it’s part of his character)
María está lista. (She is ready to go out or she has finished a job and that is the consequence)
María es lista. (She is an intelligent person, it is a characteristic)
La bicicleta es nueva. (Characteristic, we have just bought it).
La bicicleta está nueva. (Condition, it may be old, but it is well maintained)
Los estudiantes están nerviosos por el examen. (State or condition)
El perro es muy nervioso. (Characteristic, so is the dog’s character).
El perro está nervioso. (State or condition)
Exception: we have to draw attention to an exception in the use of ser. And it is the following:
When we talk about an event like party, registrations, elections, vacations, wedding etc. Everything we say about them goes with the verb ser, even the day and time:
La boda es en la catedral.
Las inscripciones son en julio.
Las vacaciones son en Francia.
La fiesta es de traje de gala.
Practice:
Let’s do some exercises:
According to what we have explained, insert the verb ser or estar in the present indicative mood. If you don’t understand the vocabulary, I recommend that you consult the translator. Do not look for isolated words, include more context, such as a sentence.
The solutions are after the exercise:
Example:
La tienda está cerrada. (State or condition, someone closed it)
- Pedro y Jaime _______ profesores.
- Mis amigos _____ en España de vacaciones.
- El coche ______ roto.
- Los zapatos ______ sucios.
- Las elecciones ______ en julio.
- Los turistas ______ alemanes.
- Javier ______ enfermo.
- El café ______ muy caliente.
- El café _____ amargo.
- Mi hijo _____ muy trabajador.
- Mi perro _____ un pastor alemán.
- El concierto ____ en el estadio.
- El supermercado ______ cerrado.
- El autobús ______ lleno.
- El autobús______ roto.
Solutions:
- Pedro y Jaime son profesores. (Characteristic)
- Mis amigos están en España de vacaciones. (Location)
- El coche está roto. (State or condition)
- Los zapatos están sucios. (State or condition)
- Las elecciones son en julio. (Characteristic of an event)
- Los turistas son alemanes.(Characteristic)
- Javier está enfermo. (State or condition)
- El café está muy caliente. (State or condition)
- El café es amargo. (Characteristic)
- Mi hijo es muy trabajador. (Characteristic)
- Mi perro es un pastor alemán. (Characteristic)
- El concierto es en el estadio. (Characteristic of an event)
- El supermercado está cerrado. (State or condition)
- El autobús está lleno. (State or condition)
- El autobús está roto. (State or condition)
Remember:
The difference between ser and estar has nothing to do with time. It is the difference between 2 concepts: characteristic and state or condition. Also, we use estar to talk about location.
Now that you know the difference, won’t you make mistakes? You probably will, because you have to get used to understanding the difference, but at least you know the origin of the problem and little by little you will be able to solve it.
Want to know more?
About the author: Sabine Loffler has a degree in Literature from UCV in Venezuela, a PhD in Hispanic Philology from UNED in Spain, a Specialist in Distance and Adult Education from UNED, has been teaching Spanish since 1992, is the founder of CELA Spanish School and is a teacher trainer.
Here you will find the link to the Video Lesson about ser and estar in our Youtube Channel: Differences between ser and estar
You don´t remember the basic grammar terms and want to review them? In this link you have an article on the subject: Spanish basic grammar terms
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