Ser and Estar Flashcards
When is Ser used?
To talk about permanent or lasting attributes
D escriptions O ccupations C haracteristics T ime O rigins R elationships
Why is ser used for descriptions?
Descriptions are the essential qualities that define a person or thing and probably won’t change anytime soon
- Names
- Physical descriptions
- Nationalities
- Religions
I am Raul
Yo soy Raúl
I am tall, dark-skinned and thin
Yo soy alta, morena y delgada
Bob is English
Bob es inglés
Andres is Catholic
Andrés es católico
Why is ser used for occupations?
An occupation is what someone does for a living or as a hobby, so if you’re talking about how someone makes money or fills their time, you’ll use ser
I am a Spanish teacher
Soy profesora de español (SER)
They are students
Ellos son estudiantes (SER)
My father was a gardener
Mi padre era jardinero (SER)
Juanita is a dancer
Juanita es bailarina (SER)
Amalia is intelligent, daring and friendly
Amalia es inteligente, atrevida y amable (SER)
Today is Wednesday
Hoy es miércoles (SER)
Yesterday was my birthday
Ayer fue mi cumpleaños (SER)
Ahora es la una
Right now it is one o’clock (SER)
Son las cinco veinticinco
It’s five twenty-five (SER)
Cecilia is from Spain
Cecilia es de España (SER)
This chocolate is from Mexico
Este chocolate es de Mexico (SER)
The chairs are made out of wood
Las sillas son de madera (SER)
My ring is made of gold
Mi anillo es de oro (SER)
Lynne is my mother
Lynne es mi madre (SER)
Marcos is my ex-boyfriend
Marcos es mi exnovio (SER)
Juana is my boss
Juana es mi jefe (SER)
When is estar used?
Estar is used to indicate temporary states and locations
My grandmother is seated
Mi abuela está sentada (ESTAR)
I was lying down when you called me
Estaba acostada cuando me llamaste (ESTAR)
The bathroom is to the right of the living room
El baño está a la derecha de la sala (ESTAR)
We are are at the café right now and we will be at the cinema in 20 minutes
Estamos en el café ahora y estaremos en el cine en 20 minutos (ESTAR)
My grandfather is out of it
Mi abuelo está en la luna (ESTAR)
Is Ser or Estar used to describe the location of an event or party?
Ser
The party is at my house
La fiesta es en mi casa (SER)
I am washing the dirty dishes
Estoy lavando los platos sucios (ESTAR)
We are reading the newspapers
Estamos leyendo los periódicos (ESTAR)
Mi bisabuelo está muerto
My great-grandfather is dead
Is Ser or Estar used to talk about being dead?
Death in Spanish is seen as an ongoing action, not a permanent state, so star is used to talk about being dead
I am so tired this morning
Estoy tan cansada esta mañana
My children are sick today
Mis niños están enfermos hoy
My father is a little crazy
Mi padre está un poco loco
I am sad
Estoy triste
She is happy because she got some flowers from her boyfriend
Ella está contenta porque recibió unas flores de su novio
Ser aburrido
To be boring
Estar aburrido
To be bored
To be good
Ser bueno
To be tasty / attractive
Estar bueno
To be a tiring person
Ser cansado
Estar cansado
To be tired
Ser grave
To be serious
Estar grave
To be seriously ill
To be clever
Ser listo
To be ready
Estar listo
To be bad
Ser malo
Estar malo
To be ill
To be conceited / vain
Ser orgulloso
Estar orgulloso
To be proud
Ser moreno
To be dark-skinned
To be tanned
Estar moreno
To be pale-skinned
Ser pálido
To be pale
Estar pálido
Ser pesado
To be heavy / to be boring
To be annoying
Estar pesado
To be rich
Ser rico
To be tasty
Estar rico
Ser seguro
To be safe
To be certain
Estar seguro
Ser verde
To be green
To be unripe
Estar verde
Ser viejo
To be old
To look old
Estar viejo
To be sharp
Ser vivo
To be alive
Estar vivo
How tiring you are! Stop talking about yourself already
¡Qué cansado eres! Ya deja hablar de ti mismo
If you’re tired, you can lay down on the sofa
Si estás cansado, te puedes acostar en el sofá
