Spanish · Everyday Verbs
"to be" in Spanish: ser
ser
Note: temporary states and location: estar
To be in Spanish uses ser and estar. Ser covers identity and lasting traits: soy estudiante. Estar covers location and temporary states: estoy cansado.
How to pronounce ser: audio and sound guideIntroducing yourself
Soy Ana, y ser estudiante es mi trabajo ahora.Speak with an AI partner · 7 days free
How to pronounce ser
Say it
sehr / ehs-TAHR
/ˈseɾ/
Ser is sehr. Soy sounds like soy. Estar is ehs-TAHR. Estoy is ehs-TOY.
"to be" in Spanish: quick reference
| Spanish | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| ser | to be (identity, lasting traits) Jobs, nationality, who someone is. | Jobs, nationality, who someone is. |
| estar | to be (state, location) Feelings, place, temporary conditions. | Feelings, place, temporary conditions. |
| soy / eres / es | I am / you are / he-she is Core present forms of ser. | Core present forms of ser. |
| estoy / estás / está | I am / you are / he-she is Core present forms of estar. | Core present forms of estar. |
| somos / son | we are / they are Plural ser forms; Latin America uses ustedes son. | Plural ser forms; Latin America uses ustedes son. |
How to use ser in real life
- 1Introducing yourself
Soy Ana, y ser estudiante es mi trabajo ahora.
I am Ana, and being a student is my job now.
Soy and ser mark identity.
- 2Saying how you feel
Hoy estoy feliz, pero ser paciente ayuda.
Today I am happy, but being patient helps.
Estoy is temporary; ser names the trait.
- 3Talking about origin
Somos de México. Ser mexicano me gusta.
We are from Mexico. I like being Mexican.
Somos and ser cover origin and identity.
Mistakes English speakers make with ser
Incorrect: Ser cansado ahora.
Correct: Estar cansado. / Estoy cansado.
Passing feelings use estar, not ser.
Incorrect: Estar profesor.
Correct: Ser profesor. / Soy profesor.
Jobs and identity use ser.
Good to know
Good to knowSpanish learners meet ser and estar early. Latin American Spanish uses ustedes for plural you with son and están. Practice soy next to estoy every day.
Try it in a ChatPal conversation
Meeting a classmate on the first day
ChatPal
Hola. Yo soy Lucía. ¿Tú eres nuevo aquí?
Hi. I am Lucía. Are you new here?
You
Sí. Soy Sam, de Toronto.
Yes. I am Sam, from Toronto.
ChatPal
Mucho gusto. ¿Estás perdido en el edificio?
Nice to meet you. Are you lost in the building?
You
Un poco. Quiero ser puntual en la primera clase.
A little. I want to be on time for the first class.
This is a sample. In ChatPal you have this conversation out loud and get feedback on what you say.
Practice this conversation in ChatPal"to be" in other languages
FAQ
Common questions about "to be" in Spanish
When do I use ser?
For who someone is, jobs, and lasting traits: Ella es médica.
When do I use estar?
Estar covers place and mood; ser covers identity.
How do I say you are in Latin America?
Tú eres / estás with friends. Ustedes son / están for a group.
How do I pronounce soy and estoy?
Soy rhymes with boy. Estoy is ehs-TOY, stress on toy.
Use these words in a conversation
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Keep reading
- 8 Sentences with Ser in Spanish: Examples and GrammarExplore 8 sentences with ser in spanish covering identity, origin, time, and materials, with translations, grammar tips, and mistakes to avoid.
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