When should I use ser and estar in Spanish?

Ser is used for concrete facts and descriptions of things that are not likely to change.
E.g. He is tall - Es alto. This uses ser as being tall is not something that changes and is usually a concrete fact about a person
He is from London - Es de Londres. The nationality or birthplace of someone is considered to be a fact that does not change, therefore ser is the correct verb in this example
Estar is used for moods, locations and things that can and are likely to change
E.g. She is tired - Está cansada . Estar is used here as the person is only tired at the time the person is saying, this is her mood and is something that is likely to change
My phone is in my bedroom - Mi móvil está en mi cuarto. This is giving the location of something, so we have to use estar

Answered by Elliot W. Spanish tutor

1394 Views

See similar Spanish GCSE tutors

Related Spanish GCSE answers

All answers ▸

What is the difference between 'SER' and 'ESTAR'


Fuiste a una fiesta de San Valentín, el 14 de febrero. Tu amigo uruguayo, Mateo, te ha preguntado sobre la fiesta. Escríbele un email. Menciona: • qué hiciste en la fiesta • tus ideas sobre tu novio perfecto / tu novia perfecta • tu opinión sobre el matri


How do you form the imperfect tense in Spanish?


How do you conjugate the verbs Ser and Estar and when do you use them?


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