Ser y estar for beginners: basic differences (video)

Ser and estar both translate as to be, and since most languages do not make this distinction, it is difficult for beginners. This lesson practises their basic uses.

Learn the basic differences between "ser" and "estar" in Spanish with this free Spanish lesson brought to you by Tilde Madrid Spanish school in Madrid.

Key points

Ser for identity, origin, profession and characteristics: Soy Pilar. Soy de Madrid. Es profesora. Es alta.
Estar for location: Madrid está en el centro de España.
Estar for states and moods: Estoy cansada. Está contento.
Some adjectives change their meaning: ser listo (to be clever) / estar listo (to be ready).

Frequent doubts

Why is it soy de Madrid but estoy en Madrid?

Ser + de gives your origin; estar + en says where you are now.

Ser or estar to say where a party is?

Events take ser: La fiesta es en mi casa. People and things take estar: Estoy en casa.

Es casado or está casado?

Estar casado is the most common form in Spain: Estoy casada. Ser casado is also heard, as a description of someone's marital status.

Part of Spanish Sessions, the YouTube channel of the teachers at Tilde Madrid — more than 3 million views.

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Ser y estar: basic differences

Key points

Frequent doubts

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