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.

TS
Answered by Tobias S. Spanish tutor

1844 Views

See similar Spanish GCSE tutors

Related Spanish GCSE answers

All answers ▸

Escribe sobre tus últimas vacaciones. Debes incluir: dónde se alojabas, lo que hacías y lo qué más te gustaba .


Discussion of a general topic in Spanish


Has visto alguna película recientemente? la disfrutaste? Descríbela con referencia a los personajes y la trama.


When would you use perfect tense and when would you use the pluperfect?


We're here to help

contact us iconContact ustelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

MyTutor is part of the IXL family of brands:

© 2026 by IXL Learning