What is the difference between Ser and Estar and how should I use them?

'Ser' and 'Estar' both directly translate to the verb 'to be' in English. However, in Spanish they both have very different meanings. Before being able to conjugate them, we must understand what they mean. 'Ser' is used when referring to a more permanent state. Can be used when referring to someone’s permanent state e.g. characteristics. Or even something which is in a permanent state e.g. time. ‘Estar’ is used when referring to a temporary state someone or something is in. e.g. emotions. For example, if I was to say ‘Soy aburrido.’ This means I am a boring person, because I have used the permanent verb ‘Ser’. However, if I was to say ‘Estoy aburrido.’ This now means I am bored, as in the temporary emotional state of boredom because I have used the temporary verb ‘Estar’. Now that we’ve mastered these uses we can learn to conjugate them. Ser and Estar are both irregular verbs so these conjugations have to be learnt off by heart. Ser – yo soy, tú eres, él, ella es, nosotros somos, vosotros sois, ellos, ellas son Estar – yo estoy, tú estás, él, ella está, nosotros estamos, vosotros estáis, ellos, ellas están

Answered by Caitlin G. Spanish tutor

2125 Views

See similar Spanish GCSE tutors

Related Spanish GCSE answers

All answers ▸

How do you conjugate -ar verbs in the imperfect tense


How can you explain to me the Preterite tense?


How can I increase the sophistication of my written work in Spanish?


How do I form the preterite tense in Spanish?


We're here to help

contact us iconContact usWhatsapp logoMessage us on Whatsapptelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo
Cookie Preferences