What is the difference between 'es' and 'está?'

This is a very common mistake made by Spanish learners. Identifying the times to use these different verbs is essential for a high grade and for accuracy in both written and spoken language. The mistake is made because both of these words translate in English to 'it is,' and there is only one way of saying 'it is' in English. However, in Spanish, these 2 words are used in different situations, which I will now briefly outline.
'Es' is used when describing something permanent, such as a physical or personality characteristic. E.g. That man is very tall = Ese hombre es muy alto 'Está,' however, is used to describe a temporary state. This could be a location or an emotional state.E.g. She is very sad today = Hoy, está muy triste

RH
Answered by Rebecca H. Spanish tutor

11489 Views

See similar Spanish GCSE tutors

Related Spanish GCSE answers

All answers ▸

The Imperfect Tense – When do I use it?


How to use articles in spanish?


How do I form the imperfect tense in Spanish?


The future tense is an extremely useful tool to explain what you WILL DO in the future; do you know the 6 endings we add to the end of an infinitive to form the future 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:

© 2026 by IXL Learning