Everyday sentences
Choosing ser or estar
Ser and estar
Choose between identity/classification and a state or location.
Endings refresher
Ser and estar: present
Choose the appropriate verb, then the form for the person.
| Person | Ser | Estar |
|---|---|---|
| yo | soy | estoy |
| tú | eres | estás |
| él / ella / usted | es | está |
| nosotros / nosotras | somos | estamos |
| vosotros / vosotras | sois | estáis |
| ellos / ellas / ustedes | son | están |
yo soy; yo estoy
- Both verbs have irregular present forms. This chart refreshes formation; the lesson explains which verb fits.
- These charts use tú. Vosotros / vosotras is mainly used in Spain; ustedes uses the final row. Vos forms vary by region.
The pattern
- Ser: soy, eres, es, somos, sois, son.
- Estar: estoy, estás, está, estamos, estáis, están.
La sopa está fría.
The soup is cold.
Why it works: Estar describes the soup’s current condition: it is cold.
Notice the difference
La sopa es fría.
It is a cold soup (a type served cold).
Why it works: Ser classifies the dish rather than describing its condition right now.
One thing to watch for
Permanent versus temporary is unreliable. Use estar for a person’s location (Estoy en casa), but ser for where an event takes place (La fiesta es en casa).