1. To be, or not to be?
Let’s start out with one of the most important verbs in Spanish: ser, which means “to be.”

2. To be, or not to be…
Look at the English forms of this verb: I am, you are, he is, she is, we are, they are
This verb doesn’t follow an expected pattern; in other words, it’s irregular.

3. Ser, o no ser… The Spanish verb ser is also irregular. ser = to be
yo soy = I am
tú eres = you are
él es = he is
ella es = she is
usted es = you are
nosotros somos = we are
ellos son = they are
ustedes son = you (all) are

4. Atención!
Unlike English, Spanish sentences do not always require a subject.
Why not? The Spanish verb always gives us enough information about the subject, so we know who we are talking about.

5. An example, please! Soy de Chicago.
Soy is paired up with yo, so we know that the speaker is talking about him/herself.

6. And in English?
English verbs by themselves don’t carry enough information to tell us who the speaker is talking about: “Work in Chicago” is pretty ambiguous!

7. Trust me on this one!
All Spanish verbs change, but fortunately there are predictable patterns. The verb ser just happens to be the most irregular verb in the language. That’s a tough way to start!

8. So let’s practice!
Your mission, should you decide to accept it, is to complete the following sentences with the correct for of the verb ser.

9. La forma correcta de “ser”
Yo ______ estudiante.

10. The envelope, please…
Yo soy estudiante.

11. May I have another, please?
Tú _____ estudiante.

12. The envelope, please!
Tú eres estudiante.

13. I’m still hungry!
Mi mamá _____ de México, mi papá ____ de Nicaragua, y yo _____ de Chicago. Nosotros _______ americanos.

14. Is that your final answer?
Mi mamá es de México, mi papá es de Nicaragua, y yo soy de Chicago. Nosotros somos americanos.

15. To wrap it up… Here are those forms again: yo soy tú eres él es
ella es
usted es
nosotros somos
ellos son
ustedes son

16. Next stop, -AR verbs
You’re now ready to tackle the next group, #3 –AR verbs.
Don’t worry, they’re easier than the verb ser.