Ser or Estar?
Practice one of the most important distinctions in Spanish. Sort common uses, review conjugations, complete sentences, and choose between ser and estar in context.
Rule cards, table gaps, sentence prompts, and answer positions change between games, so each new practice session feels different.
Ser vs. Estar
Both ser and estar mean “to be” in Spanish, but they express different kinds of information. Use this guide to review their meanings and present-tense forms.
- Identity and profession — Él es profesor.
- Origin and nationality — Soy de Perú.
- General characteristics — La casa es grande.
- Time and date — Son las tres.
- Relationships and materials — Es mi hermana. Es de madera.
- Location — El libro está en la mesa.
- Feelings and emotions — Estamos felices.
- Health and conditions — Ella está cansada.
- Position or posture — Está sentado.
- Actions in progress — Estoy leyendo.
Choosing between these verbs depends on the meaning of the sentence, not simply on whether something is permanent or temporary.
SER & ESTAR — Present Tense
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| Pronoun | SER | ESTAR |
|---|---|---|
| yo | soy | estoy |
| tú | eres | estás |
| él / ella / usted | es | está |
| nosotros / nosotras | somos | estamos |
| vosotros / vosotras | sois | estáis |
| ellos / ellas / ustedes | son | están |
First, decide what the sentence describes: identity or defining information, or location and state. Then use the present-tense table above to choose the correct form.
Sort common uses of ser and estar, complete present-tense conjugation tables, and choose the correct verb in everyday Spanish sentences. Each round gives you instant feedback to help you learn.