A1 SPANISH · FREE LESSON
Ser vs estar: explanation and exercises with answers
Spanish uses both ser and estar where English uses “to be”. Learn how their meanings differ with examples and six sentences to complete.
Go to exercises ↓When to use ser and estar
Ser
Use ser for identity, profession, origin and characteristics: who someone is or what something is. It is also used for the time and to say where or when an event takes place.
- Soy médica.
- Somos de México.
- La clase es a las nueve.
- La reunión es en la sala dos.
Estar
Use estar for the location of a person or thing, or to describe a state or the result of a change.
- Madrid está en España.
- Hoy estoy cansado.
- La puerta está abierta.
“Permanent = ser, temporary = estar” is not a reliable rule. Madrid está en España describes a stable location; la reunión es en la sala dos gives the location of an event. Focus on the meaning, not just the duration.
The present tense
| Person | Ser | Estar |
|---|---|---|
| yo | soy | estoy |
| tú | eres | estás |
| él / ella / usted | es | está |
| nosotros / nosotras | somos | estamos |
| vosotros / vosotras | sois | estáis |
| ellos / ellas / ustedes | son | están |
The same adjective can have a different meaning
Es aburrido describes someone or something boring. Está aburrido describes someone feeling bored. With other adjectives, context can change the nuance without necessarily changing the basic meaning.
Your turn: ser or estar?
Choose the appropriate form for each sentence, then check your answers. This sample practice does not change your account progress or scores.
Answers stay only on this page and disappear when you reload or change language.
Answers and explanations
Mi hermana es médica.
Use ser for a profession: es médica.
Hoy estoy muy cansado.
This describes today’s state: estoy cansado.
Madrid está en España.
Use estar for a city’s location: está en España.
La reunión es en la sala dos.
Use ser for where an event takes place: la reunión es en la sala dos.
La autora de este libro es mexicana.
Here ser indicates the author’s origin: es mexicana.
La sopa está fría; caliéntala, por favor.
Here estar describes the soup’s state: está fría.
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