The difference between ser and estar

9 January, 2015 28 CommentsAll, Learning Spanish, Teaching material for Spanish language teachersBy admin

In this new year, there are new possibility to learn another language! For example, the difference between ser and estar!

If you have already studied some Spanish, you know that there are some chapters in the Spanish grammar that maybe do not exist, neither in English, nor in German nor in French etc…One is that there are two forms for “to be”: “ser” and “estar”. In most cases, it is very clear when to use what. But some cases might be a bit tricky! But don´t worry. OnSpain will guide you through the Spanish jungle!

The main rules are the following:

THE USE OF “SER”

“Ser” is used to describe the characteristics of a person or a thing.

El hombre es alto.

-to tell the time/date/price…

Hoy es lunes.

-to talk about ownership…

La casa es mía.

THE USE OF “ESTAR”

“Estar” is used for talking about a location.

Paris está en Francia.

-to explain a temporary state (that might change from one moment to the next)…

Estoy enfermo.

-to talk about activities that are happening right now. (estar+gerundium)

Estoy escribiendo.

Okay, these were the simple rules. Now it is getting a bit more difficult. There are some adjectivs that can either be used with “ser” or with “estar” and their confusion might sometimes lead to very different meanings! So be careful!!!

Imagine the following situation: You want to go to cinema with your girlfriend to see a movie in Spanish and you are already late. So what do you say?

1. ¿Eres lista? (wrong)
2. ¿Estás lista? (right)

There is a big difference! “Ser listo,-a” means “to be intelligent”! But “estar listo,-a” means “to be ready”!

When you have arrived at the cinema, your girlfriend decides to invite you. What do you say?

1. ¡Muchas gracias! ¡Estás muy buena! (wrong)
2. ¡Muchas gracias! ¡Eres muy buena! (right)

The first phrase makes allusion to a person’s body. “Estar bueno,-a” means “to be attractive”, to have a good and attracting appearance. The second phrase refers to the character of a person. “You are a nice person.”

While watching the movie, you see her yawning. You squeeze her a little.

1. ¡Eres aburrida! (wrong)
2. ¡Estás aburrida! (right)

The first phrase means: You are boring! The second: You are bored!

You see! You have to be very careful… So here are some other examples of that type:

Ser frío: to be cold Estar frío: to have a cold character

Ser malo: to be bad Estar malo: to be ill

Ser pesado: to be heavy Estar pesado: to be tiresome

Ser verde: to be green Estar verde: to be unripe (also for persons)

The Spanish language is full of such interesting chapters! So if you would like to study a bit more, follow our grammar blog our come directly to our language school and join a Spanish intensive course or our Workplacement Program for internship in Spanish companies! We are happy to welcoming you soon!

If you have any question please feel free to contact us.

OnSpain School, your door to learn Spanish!

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Difference between ser and estar

In this new year, there are new possibility to learn another language! For example, the difference between ser and estar!

The main rules are the following: