Ser vs Estar

Both verbs mean TO BE but which one you use depends on what idea you want to express.

SER – To be

Soy Somos

Eres Sois

Es SonSER is an irregular verb. You can remember the forms of SER by remembering

the acronym:

SEESSSEESS

1) Physical description

I am tall and blonde.

2) Personality

He is social and daring.

3) Profession

We are teachers.

4) Nationality

They are Russian.

5) Origin

The girls are from Spain.

6) Possession

The book is the school’s.

7) Telling time

It is 1:00.The party is on Friday.

8) Composition

The shirt is made of cotton.

9) Religion

She is Christian.

ESTAR – To be

Estoy Estamos

Estás Estáis

Está EstánESTAR is an irregular verb. Note the use of the accents.

You can remember the uses of ESTAR by remembering the rhyme:How you feel and where you are always use the verb ESTAR.

1) Emotion

You are sick.We are tired.

2) Location

He is at the movies.

3) Condition

You are doing the dishes.She is practicing the piano.They are playing outside.I am using the computer.

This is the –ING form of the verb. It is used to express what is happening RIGHT NOW. We will discuss this

more in a later chapter.

To help you remember the uses, there’s a fun song you can sing:

ESTAR’S usesLOCATIONEMOTIONCONDITIONEstar is usedFor these threeIn a sentence

SER is used forPOSSESSIONPROFESSIONDESCRIPTIONTIME andNATIONALITYCOMPOSITION

To the tune of:

“London Bridge”