The rule, in plain English
Both verbs mean to be, so choose by meaning. Use ser to say what someone or something is: Soy profesora; Es lunes; Ana es de Chile. Use estar to say where someone or something is, or how it is now: Estoy en casa; El café está frío. One useful exception is an event: La fiesta es en mi casa, but Mi casa está en Madrid.
Why it's hard for English speakers
The shortcut permanent versus temporary causes mistakes. A city has a lasting location, but Madrid está en España still uses estar. Ask what is it? for ser, and where or how is it? for estar, then learn the smaller exceptions from the examples.
Worked examples
Start with these worked examples, then reveal more when you are ready.
- Soy estudiante.I am a student.Identity, origin and relationship: Use ser to identify or classify someone; professions normally have no article.
- Tú eres de Irlanda.You are from Ireland.Identity, origin and relationship: Origin uses ser + de.
- Él es médico.He is a doctor.Identity, origin and relationship: A profession or role uses ser, normally without un or una.
- Ella es mi hermana.She is my sister.Identity, origin and relationship: Relationships and identity use ser.
- Usted es la nueva directora.You are the new head teacher.Identity, origin and relationship: Ser identifies the person's role; usted takes the third-person form es.
- Ustedes son de Chile.You all are from Chile.Identity, origin and relationship: Son is the ustedes form of ser, and de introduces origin.
- La casa es antigua.The house is old.Description, date and time: Ser describes what the house is like, even though its condition can change over time.
- Nosotros somos muy pacientes.We are very patient.Description, date and time: A characteristic uses ser; somos agrees with nosotros.
- Vosotras sois muy organizadas.You all are very organised.Description, date and time: Sois is the vosotros/vosotras form of ser, and organizadas agrees with a female group.
- Hoy es lunes.Today is Monday.Description, date and time: Dates and days use ser.
- Son las tres y media.It is half past three.Description, date and time: Clock time uses ser; son is used for hours other than one o'clock.
- El examen es difícil.The exam is difficult.Description, date and time: Ser classifies the exam by a characteristic.
Present tense of ser and estar
| Subject | ser | estar |
|---|---|---|
| Yo | soy | estoy |
| Tú | eres | estás |
| Él/Ella | es | está |
| Usted | es | está |
| Nosotros/as | somos | estamos |
| Vosotros/as | sois | estáis |
| Ellos/Ellas | son | están |
| Ustedes | son | están |
Choose by meaning, not permanence
| Meaning | Use | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Identity / classification | ser | Es mi hermana. |
| Origin | ser | Somos de Perú. |
| Profession | ser | Soy médica. |
| Time / date | ser | Hoy es martes. |
| Defining description | ser | La casa es grande. |
| Event location | ser | La reunión es en el hotel. |
| Physical location | estar | El hotel está en el centro. |
| Feeling / condition | estar | Estoy nervioso. |
| Resultant state | estar | La puerta está cerrada. |
| Action in progress | estar | Están cenando. |
Adjectives whose meaning changes
| Adjective | ser + adjective | estar + adjective |
|---|---|---|
| aburrido/a | to be boring | to be bored |
| listo/a | to be clever | to be ready |
| rico/a | to be rich | to taste delicious |
| malo/a | to be bad | to be ill / spoiled |
| verde | to be green in colour | to be unripe |
| seguro/a | to be safe | to be sure |
Common mistakes
- Soy cansadoEstoy cansadoTiredness is a physical state, so use estar.
- Está profesoraEs profesoraA profession uses ser and normally has no article.
- Madrid es en EspañaMadrid está en EspañaThe physical location of a place uses estar.
- La reunión está en la sala dosLa reunión es en la sala dosThe location of an event uses ser.
Practice
Yo ___ de Inglaterra.
El café ___ caliente.
I am tired = ___ cansado.
Ella ___ médica.
Nosotros ___ en el parque.
La reunión ___ en la sala dos.
Madrid ___ en España.
Hoy ___ lunes.