What's the difference between "Ser" and "Estar"?

Both verbs mean "to be" but the key difference is in the permanence of what they are describing. "Ser" is used when you're describing an essential characteristic of the person or thing, whereas you'd use "Estar" for a more temporary condition or state.

If you're asking the question "What is she like?" the answer is likely to use "ser" as a response. If the question is "How is she today?" then it would be "estar". For example: Es callada (she is a quiet person) vs Está callada hoy (she is quiet today).

Ser is also used for: Possession, (el libro es mío), Occupation (yo soy marinero), Origin (yo soy de Inglaterra), Relationships (Ella es mi madre), Time (son las cinco de la tarde) and Impersonal phrases (aprender Español es divertido).

As we've discussed Estar is used for temporary state but also for: Location or Position (Está en el baño) and Ongoing Actions in the progressive tense (Estoy lavando los platos).

There are a number of adjectives in Spanish that have a different meaning depending on whether you use Ser or Estar. For example "Estoy aburrido" (I'm bored) vs "Soy aburrido" (I'm boring), so it's a good thing to get right!

EH
Answered by Emily H. Spanish tutor

2392 Views

See similar Spanish GCSE tutors

Related Spanish GCSE answers

All answers ▸

How do I improve my target language without living in the country the target language is spoken in?


How do you know when do use the subjunctive?


What is the difference between the present perfect and the preterite tenses in Spanish?


Conjugate the verb COMER in 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:

© 2025 by IXL Learning