ESTAR essentially has four uses : Position, mood, condition & ‘INGs’ Don’t be tempted to think of
ESTAR being ‘temporary’ – after all Madrid is in Spain, & we use ESTAR to say that - Madrid está en
España. There’s nothing temporary about it at all – that’s the position of the city - & more than likely
always will be!
With the present continuous we’re using ESTAR with the gerundio (the ING) to tell of a continuing action:
Estamos estudiando. We are studying.
To tell about the condition of something: La mesa está sucia. The table is dirty.
For a person’s mood: Mi hermana está aburrida. My sister is bored.
SER
SOY
I am
SOMOS
we are
ERES
you are
SOIS
ES
he/she/it
is
SON
you (all)
are
they are
SER has rather more uses : It is used to describe the character or inherent physical characteristics of
someone or something. So we use it when we are describing what someone or something looks like, is
made of, or someone’s personality, or where they are from, their nationality, their occupation. It is also
used to show possession, & the time of day, or the date. It will be used for religious or political affiliation,
& the relationship between people. Also where an event, such as a wedding, show or meeting, is taking
place.
Physical description: El chico es alto. The boy is tall.
What something is made of: La mesa es de madera The table is (made) of wood.
A person’s character or personality: Mi hermana es aburrida. My sister is boring.
Occupation: Es profesor. He’s a teacher.
Where someone is from & their nationality: Mi amigo es de Francia. Es francés. My friend is from
France. He’s French.
Possession: Son mis zapatos nuevos. They’re my new shoes.
Time of day & date: Son las seis de la tarde & es miércoles el once de marzo 2015. It’s 6pm & it’s
Wednesday 11th March 2015.
Religious & political affiliation: Son católicos. They’re catholic. Es socialista . He’s socialist.
Relationships: Son hermanos. They’re brothers.
The location of an event: La boda es en la iglesia. The wedding is in the church.
I’m often asked if it really matters if you get it wrong.
Sometimes it won’t matter too much, especially if you’re speaking to someone who is used to foreigners
speaking Spanish & is able to guess what you mean.