Apuntes: ser vs. estar

ser - to be

soy

somos

eres

sois

es

son

estar - to be

estamos

estás

estais

está

están

estoy

estar - to be

ser - to be

D ate
O rigin
C haracteristic
T ime
O wnership
R elationship
N ationality
T ell where an event takes place

L ocation*

T emporary

H ealth

E motion

C ondition

Present Progressive

*EXCEPT in the case
of an event!

​vs.

ser - to be

Date
●

My book is on my desk.

Origin
●

The sky is cloudy.

Characteristic
●

I’m sick/well.

Time
●

I’m excited/sad/nervous.

Ownership
●

I’m tired/busy.

Relationship
●

She’s taking a quiz (right now).

Nationality
●

The wedding is (taking place)
in Costa Rica.

¡Ejemplos!

estar - to be

Location*

●

My book is on my desk.

Temporary

●

The sky is cloudy.

Health

●

I’m sick/well.

Emotion

●

I’m excited/sad/nervous.

Condition

●

I’m tired/busy.

●

She’s taking a quiz (right now).

*EXCEPT in the case of an
event!

●

(Like a wedding, concert, party.)

¡Ejemplos!