1. Saber/Conocer Ser/Estar & Meaning Changes

2. saber – to know
sabemos sé
sabéis
sabes
sabe
saben

3. Saber vs. Conocer facts information saber + infinitive
Saber – to know
Saber is used to know:
facts
information
saber + infinitive
to know how to do something
Yo sé esquiar. I know how to ski.

4. conocer – to know
conozco
conocemos
conocéis
conoces
conoce
conocen

5. to be familiar with a place/something
Saber vs. Conocer
Conocer – to know
Conocer is used to know:
people (personal “a”)
places
to be familiar with a place/something
have been there

6. ser – to be
soy
somos
eres
sois es
son

7. Ser – to be (more permanent)
Ser vs. Estar
Ser – to be (more permanent)
Ser is used for:
telling time, day, dates
identification
professions
relationship

8. Ser vs. Estar possession/ownership adjectives / description
origin
ser de / ¿De dónde…?
possession/ownership
adjectives / description
nationality
*location of an event

9. estar – to be
estoy
estamos
estás
estáis
está
están

10. Estar – to be (easily changeable)
Ser vs. Estar
Estar – to be (easily changeable)
Estar is used for:
feelings
location (¿Dónde…)
a condition or state of being that is easily changeable

11. Ser/Estar Meaning Changes
Using ser or estar with an adjective may change it’s meaning.
You can give a different “twist” to the meaning of the adjective.

12. Ser vs. Estar Meaning Changes SER Julio es guapo.
Julio is a good looking person.
description
characteristic
*normal meaning
ESTAR
Julio está guapo.
Julio looks handsome.
at this moment
“looks”
changeable

13. Ser vs. Estar Meaning Changes SER Mi abuelo es joven. description
My grandpa is young.
description
in reality
*normal meaning
ESTAR
Mi abuelo está joven.
My grandpa looks young.
his appearance
“looks”

14. Ser vs. Estar Meaning Changes SER Ella es nerviosa. She is nervous.
characteristic
she is a nervous person
ESTAR
Ella está nerviosa.
She is/seems nervous.
at this moment
feeling
*normal meaning

15. Ser vs. Estar Meaning Changes SER Las fresas son rojas. description
The strawberries are red.
description
*normal meaning
ESTAR
Las fresas están verdes.
The s.berries are green (unripe).
changeable condition

16. Ser vs. Estar Meaning Changes SER Ella es lista. description
Ser listo: She is smart/clever.
description
permanent quality
listo, a, os, as
ESTAR
Ella está lista.
estar listo: She is ready/prepared.
condition, at this time
listo, a, os, as