Ser vs. estar - Rules and English Examples

Ser and Estar both mean

• to have

• to be

• to eat

• to walk

Estar is used to

• to indicate location

• describe feelings

• describe both physical and emotional conditions

• All of the above

Ser is used to (select all that apply)

• indicate origin

• describe personal traits and physical characteristics

• indicate professions

• express possession

• give the time and the date

He is happy.

• estar

• ser

Ana is pretty.

• ser

• estar

I am happy

• ser

• estar

We are bored.

• ser

• estar

Are you tall?

• ser

• estar

They are nice

• ser

• estar

Enrique Iglesias is good looking.

• ser

• estar