Spanish 1 / Unit 6: Estar, Tener and Ir
6.3 Ser vs. Estar
Notes
Both mean "to be," but they are not interchangeable.
| Ser | Estar |
|---|---|
| Description and personality | Location of people and things |
| Occupation | Feelings and emotions |
| Origin and nationality | Temporary conditions |
| Time and dates | How someone is (¿Cómo estás?) |
| Relationships | Ongoing actions (está lloviendo) |
- Exception: the location of an event uses ser: El concierto es en el parque.
- Example: Mi hermana es simpática, pero hoy está enojada.
Practice
Complete: "Mi abuelo ___ médico y ahora ___ en el hospital."
Occupation uses ser; location uses estar.
Complete: "La fiesta ___ en la casa de Carmen."
The location of an event uses ser.
Which sentence describes personality?
Personality traits use ser.
Ready for more? Take the Unit 6 test.