What is the difference between the verbs saber and estar?

Ser is used for: -descriptions: Yo soy Maria, I am Maria -occupations: Mi padre es abogado, My dad is a lawyer -characteristics: El es inteligente, He is intelligent -time: Hoy es martes, Today is Tuesday -origin: Soy española, I am Spanish -relationships: Ella es mi madre, She is my mum Estar is used for: -position: Tu estás sentado, You are sitting down. -location: El baño está a la derecha, The toilet is to the right -actions: Estoy leyendo un libro, I am reading a book. -conditions: Hoy estoy cansada, I am tired today -emotions: Estoy triste, I am sad

For emotions for example, you could use both ser and estar and it would be gramatically correct but the meaning would change, for example: estar aburrido: to be bored, ser aburrido: to be boring

MR
Answered by Maria R. Spanish tutor

1971 Views

See similar Spanish GCSE tutors

Related Spanish GCSE answers

All answers ▸

What's the difference between ser and estar?


When should you use the preterite tense and when should you use the imperfect tense in Spanish


What are your top exam tips for the longer writing question?


How can I boost my essay mark?


We're here to help

contact us iconContact ustelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

MyTutor is part of the IXL family of brands:

© 2026 by IXL Learning