When do you use "ser" and when do you use "estar"

So "ser" and "estar" both mean "to be".Ser should be used when you're talking about an intrinsic quality of something eg. a description, the time, a characteristic of something - Miguel es muy divertido, Ya es las dos de la tarde etc.Estar should be used when you're talking about a mood or something non-permanent eg. location, feelings and moods, and when using the gerund - estoy al lado del parque, estoy enfermo, estoy disfrutando etc.

VG
Answered by Vishal G. Spanish tutor

1728 Views

See similar Spanish GCSE tutors

Related Spanish GCSE answers

All answers ▸

Translate the following into Spanish: "Last week I played football with my friends at the park because it was really sunny. I love to play football!"


Describe qué hiciste el verano pasado


Would you be able to help me understand the differences between 'Ser' and 'Estar'?


How do you form the imperfect tense?


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:

© 2025 by IXL Learning