What's the difference between the verbs SER and ESTAR in Spanish?

Understanding thhe difference between ser and estar can be tricky as in English we do not make the distinctions between the two types of "to be", however, there are some simple ways to help you remember the difference: In general, SER is used to describe something permanent whereas ESTAR describes a temporary condition. For example, consider the difference between these two sentences: (1) She is my mother (2) My mother is in the kitchen In (1) the verb to be ("is") decribes a permanent relationship. In (2), it describes a temporary location. So, in Spanish we would say: (1) Es mi madre (2) Mi madre está en la cocina Understanding this basic difference will help you distinguish between SER and ESTAR in more tricky situations.

IK
Answered by Irini K. Spanish tutor

2754 Views

See similar Spanish GCSE tutors

Related Spanish GCSE answers

All answers ▸

How can I confidently pass my Spanish speaking test?


Conjugate the verb jugar (to play) in the present tense


How do I make sure I know all my vocab?


Escribe una carta a tu amigo/a sobre sus vacaciones el verano pasado.


We're here to help

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

© MyTutorWeb Ltd 2013–2025

Terms & Conditions|Privacy Policy
Cookie Preferences