Spanish Grammar - "To Be" (Ser y Estar)
Spanish grammar lesson 2: "to be" (ser y estar)
"Ser" and "estar" are both the English verb "to be." In Spanish they are two different verbs, each one with a very specific use.
Yo (I) |
soy (am) |
Tú (you) |
eres (are) |
Él / Usted (he / you-formal) |
es (is / are) |
Nosotros (we) |
somos (are) |
Vosotros (you-plural-Spain) |
sois (are) |
Ellos / Ustedes (they / you-plural-Latin Am) |
son (are) |
"Ser" is used to describe how someone or something is, who or what they are in essence. It is used to indicate an attribute, nature, origen, or physical description of the subject, or ownership of an object. "Ser" would be used to talk about intensity of symptoms. It is also used to indicate time.
Exercise: Read, listen to, and repeat aloud the following examples. In each case, can you identify why the verb "ser" is used?
Hola, soy el doctor Pérez.
(Hi, I am Dr. Perez.)
Soy de Los Angeles.
(I am from Los Angeles.)
Este estetoscopio es de mi colega.
(This is my colleague's stethescope.)
Son las diez de la mañana.
(It is ten o'clock in the morning.)
Generalmente, ella es muy buena con los niños.
(Generally, she is very good with the children.)
¿Es intenso el dolor?
(Is the pain intense?)
Es un tumor grande e inoperable.
(It is a large inoperable tumor.)
Esos doctores son muy amables.
(Those doctors are very friendly.)
Yo (I) |
estoy (am) |
Tú (you) |
estás (are) |
Él / Usted (he / you-formal) |
está (is / are) |
Nosotros (we) |
estamos (are) |
Vosotros (you-plural-Spain) |
estáis (are) |
Ellos / Ustedes (they / you-plural-Latin Am)
|
están (are) |
We use "estar" when we want to specify physical location, a temporary state of being, or for talking about actions happening in this moment. It indicates the present condition or situation. "Estar" can also used to indicate a current price at the market.
Exercise: Read, listen to, and repeat aloud the following examples. In each case, can you identify why the verb "estar" is used?
La doctora está en la farmacia, pero regresa pronto.
(The doctor is in the pharmacy, but she returns soon.)
Las jeringas están en la gaveta de la derecha.
(The syringes are in the drawer on the right.)
Ella está triste porque murió su mascota.
(She is sad because her pet died.)
El bebé está aumentando de peso porque ahora come mejor.
(The baby is gaining weight because now he eats better.)
El paciente está llegando en esa ambulancia.
(The patient is arriving in that ambulance.)
Estás respirando muy rápido. Cálmate.
(You are breathing very fast. Calm down.)
El equipo está listo.
(The team is ready.)
La leche está a dos dólares.
(The milk is at two dollars.)
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