Difference Between `ser` And `estar`

Many Spanish students get confused about when to use 'ser' or 'estar' which both mean 'to be.' This article will help explain the differences!

SER

Ser is one of the most frequently used verbs in Spanish, and also an irregular one. The present tense conjugation is:

Yo soy Tú eres él/ella/usted es Nostros/nostras somos Vostros/vostras sois Ellos/ellas/ustedes son

We use ser when referring to a permanent state. Below is a list of descri ptions that are expected to be permanent:

Nationalities Certain charactheristics e.g. height, weight, age Profession Descri ption of the date/time/place of an event

ESTAR

When you are talking about a state that is not permanent, you use the verb estar:

Yo estoy Tú estás él/ella/usted está Nostros/nostras estamos Vostros/vostras estáis Ellos/ellas/ustedes están

Below is a list of descri ptions that are not expected to be permanent:

Physical conditions e.g. clean/dirty/full/empty Mental or emotional feelings e.g. sad/happy/angry/tired

But watch out, there are exceptions to estar! DO NOT use estar to describe feeling hungry, thirsty, hot, or cold, however. Instead, you will use the verb tener (to have)

Test Yourself! - Fill in the blanks with the right conjugation of either ser or estar:

_____ mujer (I am a woman)

____ muy bella (You are very beautiful)

____ muy alegre (I am very happy)

____ de aquí (We are from here)

Cómo ____? (How are you?)

Carmen ____ enferma (Carmen is sick)

____ las ocho y media (It is eight thirty)