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How to Say "is" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “is” is “es” — use 'es' to describe what something or someone inherently is, including identity, profession, origin, or permanent characteristics..

English → Spanish

es

/ess//es/

VerbA1General
Use 'es' to describe what something or someone inherently is, including identity, profession, origin, or permanent characteristics.
A large, glowing equals sign connecting a simple icon of a person on the left to a simple icon of a doctor on the right, showing that one thing 'is' another.

Examples

Mi hermana es abogada.

My sister is a lawyer.

El cielo es azul.

The sky is blue.

Este chocolate es de México.

This chocolate is from Mexico.

The 'Permanent' Verb: Ser vs. Estar

'Es' comes from the verb 'ser', which you use for things that are more permanent or part of something's identity, like your job, nationality, or personality. Think of it as the 'DNA' verb.

When to use 'Es'

Use 'es' to describe what something IS (identity, characteristics), where it's FROM (origin), what it's MADE OF, who OWNS it, and for telling TIME and DATE.

Mixing up 'es' and 'está'

Mistake: “El café es frío.”

Correction: El café está frío. Use 'está' for temporary conditions like temperature. 'Es frío' would mean coffee is an inherently cold substance, which isn't true.

Forgetting 'de' for Origin

Mistake: “Él es España.”

Correction: Él es de España. When saying where someone is from, you need to add 'de' (from) after 'es'.

está

VerbA1General
Use 'está' to describe temporary states, conditions, feelings, or the location of people and things.

Examples

El baño está a la derecha.

The bathroom is on the right.

tiene

/tyeh-neh//ˈtjene/

VerbA1General
Use 'tiene' when expressing age or physical sensations/needs like hunger, thirst, cold, or sleepiness, which are often translated with 'is' in English.
A smiling child standing next to a birthday cake with five lit candles on it, illustrating how 'tiene' is used to talk about age.

Examples

El niño tiene hambre.

The boy is hungry.

Mi hermano tiene veinte años.

My brother is twenty years old.

¿Cuántos años tiene el presidente?

How old is the president?

Mi gata tiene solo un año.

My cat is only one year old.

Use 'Tener' for Age, Not 'Ser'

This is a big difference from English! To say how old someone is, always use a form of 'tener' (to have), never 'ser' or 'estar' (to be).

Expressing Sensations with 'Tener'

Just like with age, Spanish uses 'tener' (to have) + a noun to describe many common feelings. For example, you 'have hunger' ('tener hambre') instead of 'are hungry'.

Using 'es' for age

Mistake: “Mi hermana es 15 años.”

Correction: Say 'Mi hermana tiene 15 años.' Remember: In Spanish, you *have* your years.

Using 'está' for feelings

Mistake: “El niño está hambre.”

Correction: Say 'El niño tiene hambre.' While 'estar' is used for many feelings (like 'está triste'), these specific physical sensations use 'tener'.

está

VerbA2General
Use 'está' followed by a gerund (-ando/-iendo) to form the present progressive tense, indicating an action currently in progress.

Examples

Él está leyendo un libro.

He is reading a book.

esté

VerbA2General
Use 'esté' (subjunctive mood) in dependent clauses expressing wishes, doubts, or hypothetical situations, often after verbs like 'espero que' (I hope that).

Examples

Espero que usted esté bien.

I hope that you are well.

representa

/rre-pre-SÉN-ta//re.pɾeˈsen.ta/

VerbB2Formal
Use 'representa' in more formal contexts to indicate that something constitutes or amounts to a certain part or value.
A perfectly balanced, simple scale. On the left side are three identical colorful apples, and on the right side are three identical colorful oranges, showing equivalence.

Examples

Este gasto representa el 40% del presupuesto anual.

This expense constitutes 40% of the annual budget.

La falta de comunicación representa un serio obstáculo.

The lack of communication represents a serious obstacle.

Formal Equivalent of 'Ser'

In formal writing, 'representa' is often used instead of 'es' (is) when talking about abstract concepts, statistics, or challenges to sound more authoritative and precise.

Es vs. Está for permanent vs. temporary

The most common pitfall is confusing 'es' and 'está'. Remember: 'es' is for inherent qualities or identity (what something *is*), while 'está' is for location or temporary conditions (how something *is* right now or where it is).

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