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sean

seh-ahnˈse.an

be

Also: are
VerbA2irregular er
Three diverse children standing together, smiling joyfully, illuminated by a large, bright, floating golden star, symbolizing a wish or hope.
infinitiveser
gerundsiendo
past Participlesido

📝 In Action

Espero que sean felices en su nueva casa.

A2

I hope they are happy in their new house.

No creo que los resultados sean tan malos.

B1

I don't think the results are that bad.

Para mí, es importante que ustedes sean honestos.

B1

For me, it's important that you all are honest.

Busco amigos que sean leales y divertidos.

B2

I'm looking for friends who are loyal and fun.

Word Connections

Antonyms

  • estén (be (temporary state/location))

Common Collocations

  • sean quienes sean – whoever they may be
  • cualesquiera que sean – whatever they may be

be

VerbB1irregular erformal
SpainLatin America
A formal, friendly figure standing at the entrance of a building, holding a door wide open and gesturing warmly to welcome a group of three arriving guests.
infinitiveser
gerundsiendo
past Participlesido

📝 In Action

Por favor, sean puntuales para la reunión.

B1

Please, be punctual for the meeting.

Sean bienvenidos a nuestra ciudad.

A2

Welcome to our city. (Literally: Be welcomed...)

No sean pesimistas, todo saldrá bien.

B1

Don't be pessimistic, everything will turn out fine.

Word Connections

Common Collocations

  • sean bienvenidos – welcome (to a group)
  • sean amables – be kind

Indicative

Present

yosoy
túeres
él/ella/ustedes
nosotrossomos
vosotrossois
ellos/ellas/ustedesson

Imperfect

yoera
túeras
él/ella/ustedera
nosotroséramos
vosotroserais
ellos/ellas/ustedeseran

Preterite

yofui
túfuiste
él/ella/ustedfue
nosotrosfuimos
vosotrosfuisteis
ellos/ellas/ustedesfueron

Subjunctive

Present Subjunctive

yosea
túseas
él/ella/ustedsea
nosotrosseamos
vosotrosseáis
ellos/ellas/ustedessean

Imperfect Subjunctive

yofuera
túfueras
él/ella/ustedfuera
nosotrosfuéramos
vosotrosfuerais
ellos/ellas/ustedesfueran
View All Tenses & Moods →

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "sean" in Spanish:

are→be→

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: sean

Question 1 of 2

Which sentence correctly uses 'sean'?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼

Comes from the Latin verb 'sedēre', which meant 'to sit' or 'to be seated'. Over time, its forms merged with the Latin verb for 'to be' ('esse') to create the modern Spanish verb 'ser'. 'Sean' is the direct descendant of the Latin subjunctive form 'sedeant'.

First recorded: Forms of 'ser' appear in the earliest written Spanish texts, around the 10th century.

Cognates (Related words)

Portuguese: sejamCatalan: siguinItalian: siano

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Frequently Asked Questions

What's the difference between 'sean' and 'estén'?

Great question! Both can mean 'be', but they come from different verbs. 'Sean' comes from 'ser' and is used for permanent characteristics or identity (like 'I hope they are good people'). 'Estén' comes from 'estar' and is for temporary states or locations (like 'I hope they are at home').

Is 'sean' only for 'they'?

No, it's a bit tricky! 'Sean' is used for 'ellos/ellas' (they) AND for 'ustedes' (you all, formal or general). So 'Espero que sean felices' could mean 'I hope they are happy' or 'I hope you all are happy'. You can tell from the context of the conversation.