es
“es” means “is” in Spanish (describing what something is).
isAlso: it is
📝 In Action
Mi hermana es abogada.
A1My sister is a lawyer.
El cielo es azul.
A1The sky is blue.
Este chocolate es de México.
A1This chocolate is from Mexico.
Es la una y media.
A1It's one thirty.
El perro es de Juan.
A2The dog is Juan's.
El concierto es en el parque.
A2The concert is in the park.
Indicative
Present
Imperfect
Preterite
Subjunctive
Present Subjunctive
Imperfect Subjunctive
✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: es
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence correctly uses 'es'?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family
📚 Etymology
Comes from the Latin word 'est', which is the third-person singular form of 'esse', meaning 'to be'. It's one of the oldest and most fundamental words in the language.
First recorded: Before the 12th century
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between 'es' and 'está'?
'Es' (from the verb 'ser') is for more permanent things, like someone's personality, job, or where they are from. Think of it as describing the 'essence' of something. 'Está' (from the verb 'estar') is for temporary things, like feelings, location, or conditions. Think of it as describing the 'state' of something right now.
Why do you say 'la fiesta es en mi casa' instead of 'está en mi casa'?
This is a special rule that can be tricky. When you're talking about the location of an *event* (like a party, meeting, or concert), you use 'ser' ('es'). When you're talking about the location of a person or a physical object, you use 'estar' ('está').
Can I just say 'is' instead of 'it is' for 'es'?
Yes, absolutely. In Spanish, the subject (like 'he', 'she', or 'it') is often left out if it's clear from the context. So, 'Es importante' can mean 'It is important', and the 'it' is understood.