A.

Principal uses of SER and ESTAR

In general, the uses of SER and ESTAR are clearly defined, and you must use either one or the other.
The following are the most common of these uses.
SER is used to established identity or equivalence between two elements of a sentence (noun,
pronouns, or phrases).
Juan es mdico
l es mi amigo
Dos y dos son cuatro
Soy mexicana
El reloj es de oro

Juan = mdico
l = amigo
Dos y dos = cuatro
Yo = mexicana
El reloj = oro

SER is also used to indicate:

Origin (with de)

o Esta bufanda (scarf) es de Guatemala.
o Ramiro es de Per.

Time
o Son las seis de la tarde.
o La clase es a las 8:15 de la maana.
Dates
o Maana es el 12 de octubre.
o Hoy es lunes.

Possession (with de)

o Los libros son de los estudiantes.
o El carro rojo es de Marta.

The time or location of an event

o El concierto es a las ocho.
o Dnde es el concierto? Es en el gimnasio.
Finally SER is used to form constructions with the passive voice (which is not used as
frequently in Spanish as in English).
El libro fue escrito por un autor conocido. (The book was written by a well-known author).
ESTAR is used:

To indicate the location of an object.*

o La librera est en Syre.
o Dnde est la biblioteca?

To form the progressive tenses (el presente progresivo)

B.

o Pedro est hablando.

o Los estudiantes estn escuchando.
SER (norm) versus ESTAR (change) with adjectives

In the preceding cases, you must use either SER or ESTAR. Most adjectives, however, can be used
with both verbs, and you must choose between the two.
SER defines the norm with adjectives, whereas ESTAR indicates a state or condition that is a
change from the norm.
NORM: SER
El len es feroz.
The lion is ferocious

CHANGE: ESTAR
Ahora est manso.
It is tame (behaving tamely)
now.

El agua de Maine es fra.

The water in Maine is cold.

Hoy el agua est caliente.

Today the water feels warm.

NOTES
SER indicates the lions characteristic
temperament (being ferocious).
ESTAR indicates an atypical state or
behavior (tameness).
SER indicates the expected quality
(coldness).
ESTAR indicates a quality that the
speaker did not expect (warmth).

Similarly, SER establishes what is considered objective reality (the norm), and ESTAR
communicates a judgment or subjective perception on the part of the speaker. Whereas Spanish
distinguishes between objective reality and subjective perception by the use of SER or ESTAR,
English often emphasizes the subjectivity of the speakers observations with verbs such as to seem,
to taste, to feel, and to look.
OBJECTIVE REALITY: SER

La nia es bonita.
The child is pretty.

SUBJECTIVE JUDGMENT: ESTAR

La nia est bonita hoy.

The child looks pretty today.

Los postres son muy ricos. Este postre est muy rico.
Desserts are delicious.
This dessert tastes delicious.

NOTES

SER indicates that everyone considers

her attractive.
ESTAR reveals that the speaker
perceives her as more attractive than
usual today.
SER indicates that desserts in general
are delicious.
ESTAR expresses the speakers
opinion of this particular dessert.

SER establishes an inherent characteristic of someone or something, whereas ESTAR describes a

condition or state. English often uses entirely different words to express this contrast.
Note that the distinction between SER and ESTAR is not a distinction between temporary and
permanent characteristics. For example, the characteristic joven is transitory, yet it normally occurs
with SER; and the words est enfermo describe even someone with a long-term or incurable illness.
CHARACTERISTIC: SER

CONDITION: ESTAR

Ins es alegre.
Ines is a happy person.

Ins est alegre.

Ines feels glad.

Ellos son aburridos.

They are boring.

Ellos estn aburridos.

They are bored.

NOTES

SER indicates that Ines happiness is

characteristic of her personality.
ESTAR indicates that Ines present state of
cheerfulness is the result of some event or
circumstance.
SER indicates that they are boring by nature.
ESTAR describes their current condition.