What is the difference between 'Ser' and 'Estar'

"Ser" and "Estar" both translate into 'to be' however they are used in different situations.Generally, the difference can be understood as Nature (Ser) vs State (Estar). Ser is used in order to describe what someone or something is at its very nature. Meanwhile Estar is used in order to describe what the state of someone or something is in a certain moment.However, separate to this general distinction it is important to remember Ser is always used for Time and Date.As the general difference can be hard to remember, there are two acronyms to make this easier to understand.For Ser, the acronym 'DOCTOR' can be used: Date, Occupation, Characteristic, Time, Origin, Relationship.And for Estar, the acronym 'PLACE' can be used: Position, Location, Action, Condition, Emotion.

Answered by Tobias S. Spanish tutor

1389 Views

See similar Spanish GCSE tutors

Related Spanish GCSE answers

All answers ▸

What is the difference between star and sea? When is star used?


Qué hiciste el año pasado durante las vacaciones?


What does: "No me gusta el cerdo, pero sí la ternera" mean?


¿Cual es tu rutina diaria? What is your daily routine?


We're here to help

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

© MyTutorWeb Ltd 2013–2025

Terms & Conditions|Privacy Policy
Cookie Preferences