Ser vs Estar Both verbs mean TO BE but which one you use depends on what idea you want to express.

SER – To be SoySomos EresSois EsSon SER is an irregular verb. You can remember the forms of SER by remembering the acronym: SEESS

1) Physical description I am tall and blonde.

2) Personality He is social and daring.

3) Profession We are teachers.

4) Nationality They are Russian.

5) Origin The girls are from Spain.

6) Possession The book is the school’s.

7) Telling time It is 1:00. The party is on Friday.

8) Composition The shirt is made of cotton.

9) Religion She is Christian.

ESTAR – To be EstoyEstamos EstásEstáis EstáEstán ESTAR is an irregular verb. Note the use of the accents. You can remember the uses of ESTAR by remembering the rhyme: How you feel and where you are always use the verb ESTAR.

1) Emotion You are sick. We are tired.

2) Location He is at the movies.

3) Condition You are doing the dishes. She is practicing the piano. They are playing outside. I am using the computer.

This is the –ING form of the verb. It is used to express what is happening RIGHT NOW. We will discuss this more in a later chapter.

To help you remember the uses, there’s a fun song you can sing: ESTAR’S uses LOCATION EMOTION CONDITION Estar is used For these three In a sentence SER is used for POSSESSION PROFESSION DESCRIPTION TIME and NATIONALITY COMPOSITION To the tune of: “London Bridge”