Present Tense: Ser vs. Estar

In Spanish, both 'ser' and 'estar' mean 'to be', but they are used in different contexts. Getting them right is key to sounding natural and understanding descriptions correctly.

The Main Rule: DOCTOR vs. PLACE

A great way to remember when to use each verb is with two acronyms: DOCTOR for ser and PLACE for estar.

Use Ser for Permanent Things (DOCTOR)

Think of ser for things that are more permanent or part of an essential identity.

• Description: Describing essential qualities. Ella es alta. (She is tall.)
• Occupation: Jobs or professions. Yo soy profesor. (I am a teacher.)
• Characteristic: Personality traits. Tú eres amable. (You are kind.)
• Time & Date: Telling time and dates. Hoy es martes. (Today is Tuesday.)
• Origin: Where someone is from. Nosotros somos de México. (We are from Mexico.)
• Relationship: Family ties or friendships. Él es mi hermano. (He is my brother.)

Use Estar for Temporary Things (PLACE)

Think of estar for temporary states and locations.

• Position: The physical position of something or someone. El libro está sobre la mesa. (The book is on the table.)
• Location: Where something or someone is located. Yo estoy en casa. (I am at home.)
• Action: Used with another verb to describe an ongoing action (present progressive). Ella está comiendo. (She is eating.)
• Condition: Physical or mental conditions that can change. Nosotros estamos cansados. (We are tired.)
• Emotion: How someone feels at a particular moment. Tú estás feliz. (You are happy.)

Heads Up: A Note for Your Reading

As you read more, you might notice some adjectives can be used with both ser and estar, and the meaning changes. For example, ser aburrido means 'to be boring', while estar aburrido means 'to be bored'. Don't worry about mastering this now! Just be aware that it exists. Focus on the main DOCTOR and PLACE rules for now.