Spanish uses ser and estar for different kinds of meanings, so choosing the right one changes whether you describe an essential quality or a temporary condition.
Ser
Use ser to talk about identity, origin, time, material, possession, and characteristics that define something more permanently or fundamentally.
Examples
Expressions
Yo(ser) estudiante de medicina.
I am a medical student.
| Spanish Expression | English Equivalent | |
|---|---|---|
| 🕒 Es tarde. | It’s late. | |
| 🌅 Es de mañana. | It’s morning. | |
| 🎉 Es fiesta. | It’s a party. | |
| 🚨 Es urgente. | It’s urgent. |
Estar
Use estar to describe temporary states, locations, feelings, and conditions that can change, as well as for certain kinds of results and ongoing actions with the gerund.
Examples
Expressions
| Spanish Expression | English Equivalent | |
|---|---|---|
| 🤒 Está enfermo. | He is sick. | |
| 😴 Está cansada. | She is tired. | |
| 🔒 Está cerrado. | It is closed. | |
| 📍 Está lejos. | It is far. |
Special Adjectives
Some adjectives change meaning depending on whether you use ser or estar, so swapping the verb can change the sentence from describing a trait to describing a condition.
Last updated: Fri Oct 24, 2025