Ser vs. Estar: clear rules with examples
If you’re starting Spanish, nailing “ser vs. estar” early will make everything easier. Below you’ll find simple Spanish grammar rules in English and examples in Spanish (with a short English gloss). Save the “Quick reference” at the end.
If you already know Spanish, you will enjoy much more our Spanish blog.
Basic Rules:
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Ser → identity/classification, inherent traits, professions, time/day, event place/time.
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La conferencia es en Madrid. (The conference is in Madrid — event place/time.)
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Estar → physical location of people/things, temporary conditions/emotions, resulting states (often with participles).
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La puerta está cerrada. (The door is closed — result state.)
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Rules explained:
1) Use ser for identity, origin, profession, inherent traits
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Mi hermana es ingeniera. (She’s an engineer — profession/class.)
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El curso es interesante. (The course is interesting — inherent trait.)
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Soy de Delhi. (I’m from Delhi — origin.)
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Ellos son argentinos. (They’re Argentine — nationality.)
Why: Ser classifies what someone/something is (category or defining feature).
2) Use estar for states/conditions and physical location
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Hoy estoy cansado. (I’m tired today — condition.)
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El profesor está en clase. (The teacher is in the classroom — location.)
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La ventana está abierta. (The window is open — result state.)
Why: Estar tells how/where something is right now (state or position in space).
3) Events use ser; places/people use estar
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La boda es en octubre. (The wedding is in October — event time.)
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La reunión es en la sala 3. (The meeting is in room 3 — event place.)
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La sala 3 está en el primer piso. (Room 3 is on the first floor — physical location.)
Tip: If it’s the event itself, use ser. If it’s the place or person, use estar.
4) Adjectives that change meaning with ser vs. estar
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María es lista (= clever) vs. María está lista (= ready).
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La peli es aburrida (= boring) vs. Estoy aburrido (= bored).
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El plátano está verde (= unripe) vs. El color es verde (= green, as a trait).
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Esta comida está muy buena (= tastes great) vs. Este restaurante es muy bueno (= is very good, in general).
Why: With ser, the adjective is a trait/valuation; with estar, it’s a state/result.
Practice: choose ser or estar (answers below)
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Mi jefe ___ amable hoy.
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Mi jefe ___ amable.
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La clase ___ en la sala 2.
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La sala 2 ___ al final del pasillo.
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Yo ___ de India.
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El libro ___ en la mesa.
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La puerta ___ cerrada.
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La conferencia ___ en Madrid.
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El estudiante ___ enfermo hoy.
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Mi vecina ___ argentina.
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La sopa ___ fría.
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El coche ___ nuevo.
Answer key: 1) está (state) · 2) es (trait) · 3) es (event place) · 4) está (physical location) · 5) soy (origin) · 6) está (location) · 7) está (state) · 8) es (event place) · 9) está (condition) · 10) es (nationality) · 11) está (state) · 12) es (inherent property).
Quick reference table (save this)
| Adjetivo | With ser (trait/class) | With estar (state/result) |
|---|---|---|
| listo | clever | ready |
| aburrido | boring | bored |
| bueno | good (quality/character) | tasty/fit/attractive (context) |
| seguro | safe/reliable | sure/certain |
| verde | green (color) | unripe |
Myth-busting of ser and estar
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“Estar = temporary, ser = permanent” → Útil pero incompleto. Aprende mejor: classification vs. state + events (ser) vs. locations of people/things (estar). Por ejemplo: “estar muerto” is permanente but it is not “ser” but “estar”, because it is a state.
If you only remember 3 things…
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Ser = what something is (class/identity/trait).
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Estar = how/where it is (state/location).
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Events → ser; people/objects in places → estar.
Check more info here:
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RAE dictionary — “ser” →
https://dle.rae.es/ser. -
RAE dictionary — “estar”→
https://dle.rae.es/estar.
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