Spanish has two common verbs for “to be”. The choice depends on what you are saying about someone or something.
The idea
Use ser for identity, occupation, origin and material: Ana es de México. Use estar for a state or location: el café está caliente. Both verbs change with the subject.
Examples
- Soy profesora.I am a teacher.
- Ana es de México.Ana is from Mexico.
- La mesa es de madera.The table is made of wood.
- Estoy cansada.I am tired.
- El café está caliente.The coffee is hot.
- Estamos en casa.We are at home.
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Watch out
Do not rely only on “permanent versus temporary”: location normally uses estar, even for a place that does not move.
Try it yourself
Ana ___ de México. (es / está)
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es
Origin calls for es, a form of ser.
El café ___ caliente ahora. (es / está)
Show answer or example answer
está
The temperature is a state, so choose está.
Nosotros ___ en casa. (somos / estamos)
Show answer or example answer
estamos
The subject is “we”; the location takes estamos.
Practice round
Answer questions, then rebuild Spanish sentences where available. We keep your score.
Ana ___ de México. (es / está)
El café ___ caliente ahora. (es / está)
Nosotros ___ en casa. (somos / estamos)
Tap the words in the right order.
Tap the words in the right order.
Tap the words in the right order.
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Describe who you are, how you feel and where you are using one sentence for each idea.