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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

Click a line to hear it, or loop it to shadow it.
  1. 0:07
  2. 0:19
  3. 0:38
  4. 0:51
  5. 1:07
  6. 1:21
  7. 1:34
  8. 1:47
  9. 2:01
  10. 2:15
  11. 2:31
  12. 2:43

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

  1. Before each example plays, pick the word that fits and say your answer out loud.
  2. Read the difference card, then repeat every example in the Te toca · Your turn pause.
  3. 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.

  1. Ella ＿＿ mi jefa.

    es / está · Saying who someone is

    Show the answer

    Ella es mi jefa.

    She is my boss.

  2. 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.

  3. La sopa ＿＿ caliente.

    es / está · Soup just came off the stove

    Show the answer

    La sopa está caliente.

    The soup is hot.

  4. 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.

  5. La panadería ＿＿ aquí.

    es / está · Giving the location of a shop

    Show the answer

    La panadería está aquí.

    The bakery is here.

  6. El pan ＿＿ muy bueno.

    es / está · General quality of the bread

    Show the answer

    El pan es muy bueno.

    The bread is very good.

  7. Pablo ＿＿ enfermo hoy.

    es / está · A temporary health state

    Show the answer

    Pablo está enfermo hoy.

    Pablo is ill today.

  8. Pablo ＿＿ muy simpático.

    es / está · His lasting personality

    Show the answer

    Pablo es muy simpático.

    Pablo is very friendly.

  9. 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.

  10. Lucía ＿＿ contenta esta noche.

    es / está · Her mood this evening

    Show the answer

    Lucía está contenta esta noche.

    Lucía is happy tonight.

  11. Mi casa ＿＿ blanca.

    es / está · Describing the colour of a house

    Show the answer

    Mi casa es blanca.

    My house is white.

  12. La puerta ＿＿ abierta.

    es / está · A door's current condition

    Show the answer

    La puerta está abierta.

    The door is open.

Key words

SpanishEnglishLevel
serto be (what it is)
estarto be (where, how)
enfermoill

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