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Spanish grammar

ser or estar

A0 · Starter Verbs and time Questions 10

The rule

The one question that decides it: am I saying WHAT this is, or WHERE / HOW it is right now? Name, origin, job, nationality and a lasting quality take ser. Place, health, mood and anything that could be different tomorrow take estar. Marriage is the odd one: Spanish says estoy casado.

Pattern

ser = quién / qué · estar = dónde / cómo ahora

Examples

  1. Soy enfermera, pero hoy estoy en casa.

    I am a nurse, but today I am at home.

  2. La sopa es buena, pero está fría.

    The soup is good, but it is cold.

  3. Estoy casado y tengo dos hijos.

    I am married and I have two children.

Keep in mind

  • es bueno / está bueno

    es bueno = it is a good thing; está bueno = it tastes good right now.

Practice questions

Try each one yourself first, then open “Show answer” for the solution and the reason.

  1. 1Choose the correct sentence.

    Which form is right?

    Mi padre _____ de Colombia.

    1. es
    2. está
    3. estás
    4. son
    Show answer

    Answer: A es

    Origin: ser.

  2. 2Choose the correct sentence.

    Which form is right?

    El médico _____ en la consulta.

    1. están
    2. está
    3. es
    4. son
    Show answer

    Answer: B está

    Place: estar.

  3. 3Choose the correct sentence.

    Which form is right?

    Mi hijo _____ enfermo.

    1. eres
    2. es
    3. está
    4. son
    Show answer

    Answer: C está

    Health: estar.

  4. 4Choose the correct sentence.

    Which form is right?

    Esta casa _____ muy grande.

    1. es
    2. somos
    3. está
    4. estás
    Show answer

    Answer: A es

    A lasting quality of a thing: ser.

  5. 5Choose the correct sentence.

    Which form is right?

    La tienda _____ cerrada hoy.

    1. están
    2. son
    3. es
    4. está
    Show answer

    Answer: D está

    Open or closed changes by the hour: estar.

  6. 6Choose the correct sentence.

    Which form is right?

    Nosotros _____ marroquíes.

    1. son
    2. somos
    3. estamos
    4. están
    Show answer

    Answer: B somos

    Nationality: ser.

  7. 7This sentence is wrong. Choose the fix.

    Soy en casa.

    1. Es en casa.
    2. Estoy en casa.
    3. Estoy de casa.
    4. Soy a casa.
    Show answer

    Answer: B Estoy en casa.

    Where you are: estar.

  8. 8This sentence is wrong. Choose the fix.

    Estoy enfermera.

    1. Estoy una enfermera.
    2. Está enfermera.
    3. Soy una enfermera.
    4. Soy enfermera.
    Show answer

    Answer: D Soy enfermera.

    A job: ser, and no article.

  9. 9Choose the correct sentence.

    ser or estar?

    Mi hermano _____ médico.

    1. está
    2. están
    3. son
    4. es
    Show answer

    Answer: D es

    A job is what someone IS: ser.

  10. 10Choose the correct sentence.

    ser or estar?

    Mi hermano _____ enfermo.

    1. están
    2. es
    3. son
    4. está
    Show answer

    Answer: D está

    Being ill is a state you are in: estar.

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