Ser vs. Estar: How to Use “To Be” in Spanish
Ser and estar both mean “to be,” but they are used in different situations. Lucía walks through the contrast in this video lesson with examples you can apply to your own sentences.
Watch the lesson
Try it yourself
Make five pairs of sentences using ser and estar. Say each aloud, then explain why you chose that verb before checking the example in the video.
Watch the original lesson on YouTube.
Edited lesson transcript and examples
Read the complete substantive lesson in its original order, including the DOCTOR and PLACE methods and all ten original quiz questions. The English explanation was recovered from the original video audio, and every Spanish model and quiz prompt was checked against the source frames and full speech transcription. Punctuation and transcription errors are repaired for reading; contextual English translations and labelled learner notes are additions. The instructor’s coaching, humor, Study Guide reminder and next-video recommendation are retained. This is an edited source-based transcript, not a pronunciation assessment. Music is omitted.
The timestamp chapters link to the original video. Their start times are approximate.
- 0:00 — A method for ser and estar
- 0:46 — The starting shortcut
- 1:22 — The present tense of ser
- 1:42 — DOCTOR: descriptions
- 2:08 — DOCTOR: occupations
- 2:40 — DOCTOR: characteristics
- 3:01 — DOCTOR: times
- 3:53 — DOCTOR: origins
- 4:21 — DOCTOR: relations
- 4:42 — The free Study Guide
- 4:57 — The present tense of estar
- 5:21 — PLACE: position
- 5:45 — PLACE: location and events
- 6:22 — PLACE: action
- 6:47 — PLACE: condition
- 7:14 — PLACE: emotion
- 7:39 — Words that change meaning: aburrido
- 8:16 — Frío, rico and listo
- 9:32 — The original ten-question quiz
- 12:08 — Keep practising
0:00 — A method for ser and estar
Today I am going to solve one of your biggest problems in Spanish. You are going to understand when we use ser and when we use estar, finally. Ser and estar are both Spanish verbs that mean “to be” in English, but they are used very differently in Spanish. This is the most common mistake I hear from learners. Oh, no. But today this is going to end. I will teach you a fantastic way to memorize when to use ser and estar for good. Once you learn it, you won’t forget it. Are you ready for the super master class? Keep watching till the end, because I have a quiz for you to check that you now understand ser and estar.
0:46 — The starting shortcut
To start, there’s one basic and simple trick. Ser is used for permanent states, and estar is used for temporary states.
Learner note — A starting shortcut, not a duration rule: Keep this as the instructor’s initial memory aid, then use the examples and DOCTOR/PLACE categories. The verb choice is not determined by how long a situation actually lasts. Ser can classify or describe a characteristic; estar can present a state or result. For example, a lasting state can still use estar. The same adjective can allow either verb with a different interpretation. Source: RAE: estar, Instituto Cervantes: ser and estar.
Yo soy española.
Example translation: I am Spanish.
That’s something permanent.
Soy de España.
Example translation: I am from Spain.
I can’t change my origins.
Yo estoy en España.
Example translation: I am in Spain.
I am here right now, but tomorrow I can be somewhere else. Let’s go a bit deeper to understand the rules well and become a Spanish master. Everybody will fall in love with you.
1:22 — The present tense of ser
El verbo ser. Ser is an irregular verb. In the present tense, it’s conjugated like this:
Yo soy. / Tú eres. / Él, ella es. / Nosotros, nosotras somos. / Vosotros, vosotras sois. / Ellos, ellas son.
Example translation: I am. / You are. / He or she is. / We are. / You all are (vosotros). / They are.
1:42 — DOCTOR: descriptions
To know when to use ser, we can follow the acronym DOCTOR. Each letter stands for a situation where you’d use ser. D: descriptions. Permanent or essential qualities of a person or object.
Yo soy Lucía.
Example translation: I am Lucía.
Tú eres guapo.
Example translation: You are handsome.
Ana es alta.
Example translation: Ana is tall.
El coche es negro.
Example translation: The car is black.
2:08 — DOCTOR: occupations
O: occupations. To tell what somebody does for a job or as a hobby.
Soy profesora.
Example translation: I am a teacher.
Note that we don’t say “I am a teacher”: soy una profesora. No, no, no, no, no. We say soy profesora, no un or una.
Learner note — The article with a profession: For a neutral statement of an unmodified profession, the lesson’s soy profesora is the usual model. This is not a ban on una with profession nouns in every context: soy una profesora muy paciente, “I am a very patient teacher,” is grammatical. The crossed-out wording illustrates the simple profession statement being practised. Source: Instituto Cervantes: profession attributes, RAE: evaluative profession attributes, section 37.5f.
Pablo es pianista.
Example translation: Pablo is a pianist.
María es camarera en un restaurante.
Example translation: María is a waitress in a restaurant.
Somos estudiantes.
Example translation: We are students.
2:40 — DOCTOR: characteristics
C: characteristics. Ser is used for descriptions, and this includes the characteristics of someone’s personality.
Mario es listo.
Example translation: Mario is smart.
Eres una persona feliz.
Example translation: You are a happy person.
Tus padres son muy amables.
Example translation: Your parents are very kind.
3:01 — DOCTOR: times
T: times. When you’re talking about times—the time, days, months—use ser.
Ya son las tres.
Example translation: It is already three o’clock.
Hoy es sábado.
Example translation: Today is Saturday.
¡Es mi cumpleaños!
Example translation: It’s my birthday!
Es marzo.
Example translation: It is March.
But be careful, because you can also use estar for days, weeks, et cetera.
Estamos a lunes.
Example translation: It is Monday.
Estamos en la segunda semana de abril.
Example translation: We are in the second week of April.
Estamos en agosto.
Example translation: It is August.
Estamos en el año 2024.
Example translation: We are in the year 2024.
Learner note — The year is an original example: 2024 belongs to the example in the recorded lesson; it is not a statement of the current year. The estamos a/en date constructions are legitimate alternatives, as the video explains. Source: RAE: estar, dates.
3:53 — DOCTOR: origins
O: origins. We use ser to talk about the origin of something or someone. This includes what something is made of.
Natalia es de Francia.
Example translation: Natalia is from France.
Ella es francesa.
Example translation: She is French.
La puerta es de madera.
Example translation: The door is made of wood.
Este móvil es chino.
Example translation: This mobile phone is Chinese.
4:21 — DOCTOR: relations
R: relations. When you’re describing how people are related to each other, use ser.
Elena es la novia de Enrique.
Example translation: Elena is Enrique’s girlfriend.
Yo soy tu amiga.
Example translation: I am your friend.
Lola es mi abuela.
Example translation: Lola is my grandmother.
¿Es esa tu hermana?
Example translation: Is that your sister?
4:42 — The free Study Guide
If you don’t understand these sentences well, I think it’s time for you to download the free Study Guide, which will guide you step by step while you learn Spanish on your own. You have the link in the description.
4:57 — The present tense of estar
El verbo estar. Estar is also an irregular verb. In the present tense, it’s conjugated like this:
Yo estoy. / Tú estás. / Él, ella está. / Nosotros, nosotras estamos. / Vosotros, vosotras estáis. / Ellos, ellas están.
Example translation: I am. / You are. / He or she is. / We are. / You all are (vosotros). / They are.
A useful way to remember when to use estar is the acronym PLACE.
5:21 — PLACE: position
P: position.
Estoy delante del bar.
Example translation: I am in front of the bar.
Estamos tumbados en el parque.
Example translation: We are lying down in the park.
Mis padres están cerca.
Example translation: My parents are nearby.
El hotel está al lado del mercado.
Example translation: The hotel is next to the market.
5:45 — PLACE: location and events
L: location. Estar is used to talk about the place that someone or something is in.
¿Estás ahí?
Example translation: Are you there?
Estamos en mi casa.
Example translation: We are at my house.
Pedro está en el baño.
Example translation: Pedro is in the bathroom.
Carmen está en Alemania de vacaciones.
Example translation: Carmen is on holiday in Germany.
There is an exception to this one. When you’re saying where an event is being held, you use ser.
El concierto es en Sevilla.
Example translation: The concert is in Seville.
La fiesta es en casa de Alberto.
Example translation: The party is at Alberto’s house.
Learner note — Location versus an event venue: The location examples describe where people are. The concert and party examples identify where events take place, so ser is correct. The duration of their locations does not explain this contrast. Source: Instituto Cervantes: locations of events.
6:22 — PLACE: action
A for action. Estar is used in the gerund form when somebody is doing something in the past, present or future.
Learner note — How the progressive is formed: The construction is a conjugated form of estar plus the gerund of the main verb. In está bailando, está is the finite verb and bailando is the gerund. The phrase “estar is used in the gerund form” should not be read as a direction to use estando alone. Source: RAE: estar with a gerund.
Carolina está bailando.
Example translation: Carolina is dancing.
Ana y yo estamos buscando piso.
Example translation: Ana and I are looking for a flat.
Carlos estaba corriendo.
Example translation: Carlos was running.
Hey, if you like the video, please give it a thumbs up.
¡Gracias!
Example translation: Thank you!
6:47 — PLACE: condition
C: condition. When talking about a physical or emotional condition that is changeable, we use estar.
Estamos muy cansados.
Example translation: We are very tired.
Alejandra está enamorada de Belén.
Example translation: Alejandra is in love with Belén.
¿Estáis listos?
Example translation: Are you all ready?
Mi abuela estaba mareada.
Example translation: My grandmother was dizzy.
7:14 — PLACE: emotion
E: emotion. Use estar for emotional states.
Estamos muy emocionados los dos.
Example translation: We are both very excited.
Tus amigos están preocupados por ti.
Example translation: Your friends are worried about you.
Victoria está feliz porque está con su hermana.
Example translation: Victoria is happy because she is with her sister.
Begoña está triste porque ha suspendido el examen.
Example translation: Begoña is sad because she has failed the exam.
7:39 — Words that change meaning: aburrido
One last and very important thing about ser and estar. There are words that change meaning when used with ser or estar. Ser aburrido and estar aburrido don’t mean the same. Ser aburrido means to be boring.
Samuel es aburrido.
Example translation: Samuel is boring.
You hate to be with Samuel because he’s so boring. Estar aburrido means to be bored.
Estoy aburrida porque no tengo nada que hacer.
Example translation: I am bored because I have nothing to do.
Estar aburrido: to be bored at a specific moment. Ser aburrido: to be boring permanently.
Learner note — A characteristic is not necessarily forever: Samuel es aburrido presents “boring” as a characteristic or assessment. It does not mean that Samuel is incapable of ever changing. Estoy aburrida describes the speaker’s bored state. Keep the useful difference in meaning without treating “permanently” as a literal lifetime rule. Source: RAE: the ser/estar contrast.
8:16 — Frío, rico and listo
Ser frío: to be cold as a personality trait. Estar frío: to be cold as for the temperature.
Mi tío es muy frío.
Example translation: My uncle is a very cold person.
La sopa está fría.
Example translation: The soup is cold.
“I am cold” would be:
Tengo frío.
Example translation: I feel cold.
Ser rico: to be rich. Estar rico: to be yummy.
Marina es rica.
Example translation: Marina is rich.
La tarta está rica.
Example translation: The cake is delicious.
Ser listo: to be smart. Estar listo: to be ready.
Mi hermana es muy lista.
Example translation: My sister is very smart.
Ya estoy lista.
Example translation: I am ready now.
You have a complete guide in a blog post on mydailyspanish.com. You also have the link in the description.
9:32 — The original ten-question quiz
Now it’s time for the challenge: the ser o estar quiz. Ten questions, just one correct answer for each. Will you pass this test? Fill each blank using one of the two original options. Open the answer after you try. The English translations and short explanations below are reader additions; all questions and intended answers come from the original video.
1. 9:39
Mi madre ___ en el supermercado.
Example translation: My mother is at the supermarket.
Options: es / está
Show the answer
está — Location: she is at the supermarket.
Mi madre está en el supermercado.
2. 9:54
Yo ___ española.
Example translation: I am Spanish.
Options: soy / estoy
Show the answer
soy — Nationality: the speaker identifies herself as Spanish.
Yo soy española.
3. 10:09
Él ___ mi tío.
Example translation: He is my uncle.
Options: es / está
Show the answer
es — Relationship: he is the speaker’s uncle.
Él es mi tío.
4. 10:24
María ___ enferma.
Example translation: María is ill.
Options: es / está
Show the answer
está — The intended meaning is María’s current illness.
María está enferma.
¡Pobrecita!
Example translation: Poor thing!
The instructor’s sympathetic comment after this answer.
5. 10:40
Tú ___ aprendiendo español.
Example translation: You are learning Spanish.
Options: eres / estás
Show the answer
estás — A conjugated form of estar combines with the gerund aprendiendo.
Tú estás aprendiendo español.
6. 10:55
Mañana ___ domingo.
Example translation: Tomorrow is Sunday.
Options: es / está
Show the answer
es — The sentence identifies the day of the week.
Mañana es domingo.
7. 11:10
___ a tu lado.
Example translation: I am by your side.
Options: soy / estoy
Show the answer
estoy — Position: the intended subject is yo.
Estoy a tu lado.
8. 11:25
El gato de mi primo ___ blanco.
Example translation: My cousin’s cat is white.
Options: es / está
Show the answer
es — The intended meaning describes the cat’s coat color.
El gato de mi primo es blanco.
9. 11:40
Mis padres ___ inteligentes.
Example translation: My parents are intelligent.
Options: son / están
Show the answer
son — The intended meaning describes their intelligence.
Mis padres son inteligentes.
10. 11:55
Carla ___ triste porque ha perdido el tren.
Example translation: Carla is sad because she has missed the train.
Options: es / está
Show the answer
está — The intended meaning is Carla’s emotional state after missing the train.
Carla está triste porque ha perdido el tren.
12:08 — Keep practising
How many did you get right? If you didn’t get them all correct, don’t worry, because practice makes perfect, and listening to a lot of Spanish will help you so, so, so much. That’s why I am going on a walk with you, speaking only Spanish. I am a bit hungry, so I am going to eat some ice cream. You can join me right here in this video blog in which I speak Spanish slowly with Spanish subtitles. You also have English subtitles if you need them. See you there.
