ser y estar

By Sarah Heaton

The verbs SER and ESTAR both mean TO BE They are both irregular irregular in their conjugation

and have different uses:

SER ESTAR soy estoy eres está es estás somos estamos sois estáis son estan

Ser is used....

1.With a characteristic objective – nosotros somos altos

2.With the preposition DE to show possession, origin, or to tell what something is made of – los gatos son de mi madre

3.To tell the time – son las cinco y media4.When talking about identity or occupation –

Soy Ana y soy abogada

Estar is used....

1.With a temporary adjective - Estoy triste2.With a location - Estoy en Barcelona3.To show the condition or state something or

someone is in – Los platos estaban sucios

Remember these are general rules and here Remember these are general rules and here are always exceptions.......are always exceptions.......

Ser is used with:rico pobre feliz degraciado

Marital Status – both ser and estar can be used – but ser is more commonly used in a formal context

Ser is used to tell where an event will take place – la fiesta es en el teatro

Estar is always used with muerto (dead) and vivo (alive)

I am happy? Soy feliz She is sad? Está triste They are lawyers? Son abogados We are in Ormskirk? Estan en Ormskirk