A1 Spanish Word Pair
Ser vs Estar: Two Ways to Say To Be
ser vs estar
4:23 min video · 12 sentences · 3 key words
Transcript with English
- Ella es mi jefa.She is my boss.
- Mi jefa está en la oficina.My boss is in the office.
- La sopa está caliente.The soup is hot.
- El gazpacho es una sopa fría.Gazpacho is a cold soup.
- La panadería está aquí.The bakery is here.
- El pan es muy bueno.The bread is very good.
- Pablo está enfermo hoy.Pablo is ill today.
- Pablo es muy simpático.Pablo is very friendly.
- La cena es a las nueve.The dinner is at nine.
- Lucía está contenta esta noche.Lucía is happy tonight.
- Mi casa es blanca.My house is white.
- La puerta está abierta.The door is open.
About this lesson
Six everyday situations show when to use ser for identity and lasting traits, and estar for location and temporary states.
How to practise
- Before each example plays, pick the word that fits and say your answer out loud.
- Read the difference card, then repeat every example in the Te toca · Your turn pause.
- At the end, check the common mistake so you never make it again.
The difference: ser vs estar
- ser to be (what it is). Identity, traits, time, origin
- estar to be (where, how). Location and temporary states
Common mistake: Mi hermano es en casa. ✗ · Mi hermano está en casa. ✓ (Location always takes estar, not ser.)
Which one fits?
Say the missing word out loud first, then open the answer.
Ella ＿＿ mi jefa.
es / está · Saying who someone is
Show the answer
Ella es mi jefa.
She is my boss.
Mi jefa ＿＿ en la oficina.
es / está · Where someone is right now
Show the answer
Mi jefa está en la oficina.
My boss is in the office.
La sopa ＿＿ caliente.
es / está · Soup just came off the stove
Show the answer
La sopa está caliente.
The soup is hot.
El gazpacho ＿＿ una sopa fría.
es / está · A dish that is always served cold
Show the answer
El gazpacho es una sopa fría.
Gazpacho is a cold soup.
La panadería ＿＿ aquí.
es / está · Giving the location of a shop
Show the answer
La panadería está aquí.
The bakery is here.
El pan ＿＿ muy bueno.
es / está · General quality of the bread
Show the answer
El pan es muy bueno.
The bread is very good.
Pablo ＿＿ enfermo hoy.
es / está · A temporary health state
Show the answer
Pablo está enfermo hoy.
Pablo is ill today.
Pablo ＿＿ muy simpático.
es / está · His lasting personality
Show the answer
Pablo es muy simpático.
Pablo is very friendly.
La cena ＿＿ a las nueve.
es / está · Time of a planned event
Show the answer
La cena es a las nueve.
The dinner is at nine.
Lucía ＿＿ contenta esta noche.
es / está · Her mood this evening
Show the answer
Lucía está contenta esta noche.
Lucía is happy tonight.
Mi casa ＿＿ blanca.
es / está · Describing the colour of a house
Show the answer
Mi casa es blanca.
My house is white.
La puerta ＿＿ abierta.
es / está · A door's current condition
Show the answer
La puerta está abierta.
The door is open.
Key words
| Spanish | English | Level |
|---|---|---|
| ser | to be (what it is) | |
| estar | to be (where, how) | |
| enfermo | ill |
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