SER vs ESTAR The verb SER is used to show a permanent characteristic of a person or thing. The boy is tall El chico es alto The house is green La casa es verde
The verb ESTAR is used to show a temporary condition or to show location. The boy is ill El chico está enfermo The book is on the desk El libro está en el escritorio
To remember the uses of SER remember the word C note [$100 bill] Characteristics El chico es alto Nationality Ana es chilena Origin Elena es de Perú Time Son las dos y media Equal to Mi hermana es médica
To remember the use of ESTAR, think of the phrase “True Love Forever. Temporary condition Ana está lista [ready] Location Los carros están en el garaje Feelings [physical or emotional] Enrique está triste. [sad]
SER and ESTAR cannot be interchanged SER and ESTAR cannot be interchanged. If the wrong verb is used, the meaning of the sentence will be changed. Ana está lista Ana is ready Ana es lista Ana is clever La manzana es verde The apple is green [its natural color] La manzana está verde The apple is green [not ripe]
Héctor está triste. Héctor is sad. Héctor es triste. Héctor is depressed. “Luís, tú estás loco” “Luís, you’re crazy” (you don’t know what you’re talking about) “Ana, Luís es loco!” “Ana, Luis is crazy”! (he needs to be institutionalized)