[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":1946},["ShallowReactive",2],{"ser-vs-estar-en":3},{"id":4,"title":5,"body":6,"description":1913,"extension":1914,"meta":1915,"navigation":1941,"path":1942,"seo":1943,"stem":1944,"__hash__":1945},"content\u002Fser-vs-estar\u002Fen.md","Ser vs Estar: The Difference Explained (DOCTOR, PLACE + Quiz)",{"type":7,"value":8,"toc":1890},"minimark",[9,127,147,402,672,940,949,953,1264,1430,1725,1826,1858,1863],[10,11,12,13,12,46,12,63,12,66],"section",{},"\n  ",[14,15,16,17,21,22,25,26,29,30,38,39,45],"p",{},"\n    ",[18,19,20],"strong",{},"Ser vs estar"," is the first big choice every Spanish learner runs into: both verbs translate as \"to\n    be,\" but they answer different questions. ",[18,23,24],{},"Ser"," says what someone or something is: identity,\n    profession, characteristics, origin, time. ",[18,27,28],{},"Estar"," says how and where someone or something is right\n    now: a condition, a location, an action in progress. Compare ",[31,32,33,34,37],"em",{},"Ana ",[18,35,36],{},"es"," profesora."," (Ana is a\n    teacher.) with ",[31,40,33,41,44],{},[18,42,43],{},"está"," cansada."," (Ana is tired.) The first sentence tells you who Ana is;\n    the second tells you how she feels today, and tomorrow it may no longer be true.\n  ",[14,47,48,49,55,56,62],{},"\n    Many classes sum up the difference as \"ser is permanent, estar is temporary.\" It's a useful shortcut, but it has\n    exceptions that show up on every test: nothing is more permanent than death, yet Spanish says ",[31,50,51,54],{},[18,52,53],{},"Está","\n    muerto."," (He's dead.), and youth doesn't last, yet you say ",[31,57,58,61],{},[18,59,60],{},"Es"," joven."," (He's young.) So\n    instead of a rule of thumb, this page explains when to use ser and estar with precise rules: a ser vs estar chart,\n    the DOCTOR and PLACE acronyms, the traps with location and with adjectives that change meaning, a quiz, the\n    conjugation of both verbs and the most common mistakes.\n  ",[14,64,65],{},"On this page:",[67,68,16,69,16,78,16,85,16,92,16,99,16,106,16,113,16,120,12],"ul",{},[70,71,72,77],"li",{},[73,74,76],"a",{"href":75},"#diferencia","Ser vs estar chart",": the difference in one table;",[70,79,80,84],{},[73,81,83],{"href":82},"#ser","when to use ser",": the DOCTOR rule;",[70,86,87,91],{},[73,88,90],{"href":89},"#estar","when to use estar",": the PLACE rule;",[70,93,94,98],{},[73,95,97],{"href":96},"#ejercicio","ser vs estar quiz",": ser or estar?",[70,100,101,105],{},[73,102,104],{"href":103},"#adjetivos","adjectives that change meaning"," with ser and estar;",[70,107,108,112],{},[73,109,111],{"href":110},"#lugar","location",": estar, ser or hay;",[70,114,115,119],{},[73,116,118],{"href":117},"#conjugacion","ser and estar conjugation",": present, preterite and imperfect;",[70,121,122,126],{},[73,123,125],{"href":124},"#errores","common mistakes",".",[14,128,129,141,142],{},[73,130,140],{"href":131,"className":132},"\u002Fdashboard",[133,134,135,136,137,138,139],"btn","btn-primary","btn-lg","px-4","py-2","d-inline-block","mb-4","Practice ser and estar"," ",[73,143,146],{"href":96,"className":144},[133,145,135,136,137,138,139],"btn-outline-secondary","Jump to the quiz ↓",[10,148,12,149,12,154,12,177,12,388],{},[150,151,153],"h2",{"id":152},"diferencia","Ser vs estar chart: the difference in one table",[14,155,156,157,160,161,164,165,168,169,172,173,176],{},"\n    The fastest test is to ask a question about the sentence. If it answers ",[31,158,159],{},"¿Qué es?"," (What is it?), use\n    ",[18,162,163],{},"ser",". If it answers ",[31,166,167],{},"¿Cómo está?"," (How is it?) or ",[31,170,171],{},"¿Dónde está?"," (Where is it?), use\n    ",[18,174,175],{},"estar",". The chart below puts the same topic next to both verbs, so you can see exactly where the\n    line falls.\n  ",[178,179,16,180,12],"div",{},[181,182,183,184,183,200,16],"table",{},"\n      ",[185,186,187,188,183],"thead",{},"\n        ",[189,190,191,192,191,196,191,198,187],"tr",{},"\n          ",[193,194,195],"th",{},"Topic",[193,197,24],{},[193,199,28],{},[201,202,187,203,187,230,187,253,187,276,187,301,187,323,187,345,187,367,183],"tbody",{},[189,204,191,205,191,209,191,220,187],{},[206,207,208],"td",{},"People",[206,210,211,219],{},[31,212,33,213,215,216,218],{},[18,214,36],{}," profesora. ",[18,217,60],{}," muy simpática."," (Ana is a teacher. She's very nice.)",[206,221,222,229],{},[31,223,33,224,226,227,44],{},[18,225,43],{}," en clase. ",[18,228,53],{}," (Ana is in class. She's tired.)",[189,231,191,232,191,235,191,244,187],{},[206,233,234],{},"Place",[206,236,237,243],{},[31,238,239,240,242],{},"La fiesta ",[18,241,36],{}," en mi casa."," (The party is at my house.) - an event",[206,245,246,252],{},[31,247,248,249,251],{},"Mi casa ",[18,250,43],{}," en el centro."," (My house is downtown.) - a location",[189,254,191,255,191,258,191,267,187],{},[206,256,257],{},"Origin vs location",[206,259,260,266],{},[31,261,262,265],{},[18,263,264],{},"Somos"," de Lima."," (We're from Lima.)",[206,268,269,275],{},[31,270,271,274],{},[18,272,273],{},"Estamos"," en Lima."," (We're in Lima.)",[189,277,191,278,191,281,191,293,187],{},[206,279,280],{},"Time",[206,282,283,292],{},[31,284,285,288,289,291],{},[18,286,287],{},"Son"," las ocho. Hoy ",[18,290,36],{}," viernes."," (It's eight o'clock. Today is Friday.)",[206,294,295,300],{},[31,296,297,299],{},[18,298,273],{}," en verano."," (It's summer; literally, \"we're in summer.\")",[189,302,191,303,191,306,191,315,187],{},[206,304,305],{},"Food",[206,307,308,314],{},[31,309,310,311,313],{},"La paella ",[18,312,36],{}," un plato típico."," (Paella is a traditional dish.)",[206,316,317,322],{},[31,318,310,319,321],{},[18,320,43],{}," riquísima."," (The paella is delicious - said when you taste it.)",[189,324,191,325,191,328,191,337,187],{},[206,326,327],{},"Action",[206,329,330,336],{},[31,331,332,333,335],{},"Mi padre ",[18,334,36],{}," muy trabajador."," (My father is very hardworking.)",[206,338,339,344],{},[31,340,332,341,343],{},[18,342,43],{}," trabajando."," (My father is working.)",[189,346,191,347,191,350,191,359,187],{},[206,348,349],{},"Things",[206,351,352,358],{},[31,353,354,355,357],{},"La mesa ",[18,356,36],{}," de madera."," (The table is made of wood.)",[206,360,361,366],{},[31,362,354,363,365],{},[18,364,43],{}," sucia."," (The table is dirty.)",[189,368,191,369,191,372,191,381,187],{},[206,370,371],{},"Change of meaning",[206,373,374,380],{},[31,375,376,377,379],{},"Juan ",[18,378,36],{}," listo."," (Juan is smart.)",[206,382,383,387],{},[31,384,376,385,379],{},[18,386,43],{}," (Juan is ready.)",[14,389,390,391,394,395,397,398,401],{},"\n    \"Permanent vs temporary\" works for about 8 cases out of 10; where it fails, see ",[73,392,393],{"href":89},"muerto and\n    vivo",", ",[73,396,104],{"href":103}," and ",[73,399,400],{"href":110},"the location of events",".\n  ",[10,403,12,404,12,407,12,437,12,584,12,589,12,592],{},[150,405,406],{"id":163},"When to use ser: the DOCTOR rule",[14,408,409,410,413,414,417,418,421,422,425,426,429,430,432,433,436],{},"\n    Most high school and college Spanish courses in the US teach the uses of ser with the acronym\n    ",[18,411,412],{},"DOCTOR",": ",[18,415,416],{},"D","escription, ",[18,419,420],{},"O","ccupation, ",[18,423,424],{},"C","haracteristics,\n    ",[18,427,428],{},"T","ime, ",[18,431,420],{},"rigin and ",[18,434,435],{},"R","elationship. What the six have in common: they\n    describe what someone or something is, its identity and defining features, not a passing state. Being a doctor is\n    part of who a person is, and that's ser territory.\n  ",[67,438,16,439,16,456,16,480,16,507,16,539,16,561,12],{},[70,440,183,441,444,445,448,449,455],{},[18,442,443],{},"D - Description"," (",[31,446,447],{},"descripción","): physical appearance and personality.\n      ",[31,450,451,452,454],{},"Mi madre ",[18,453,36],{}," alta y muy paciente."," (My mother is tall and very patient.) These are traits\n      that define a person, not how she looks or feels today.\n    ",[70,457,183,458,444,461,464,465,471,472,475,476,479],{},[18,459,460],{},"O - Occupation",[31,462,463],{},"profesión","): jobs and professions. ",[31,466,467,468,470],{},"Mi hermano ",[18,469,36],{},"\n      enfermero."," (My brother is a nurse.) Notice that Spanish leaves out ",[31,473,474],{},"un\u002Funa"," before a profession on its\n      own: \"a nurse\" is just ",[31,477,478],{},"enfermero",".\n    ",[70,481,183,482,444,485,488,489,492,493,499,500,506],{},[18,483,484],{},"C - Characteristics",[31,486,487],{},"características","): properties of things and what they're made of\n      (",[31,490,491],{},"ser de"," + material). ",[31,494,495,496,498],{},"Este coche ",[18,497,36],{}," eléctrico."," (This car is electric.)\n      ",[31,501,502,503,505],{},"La camisa ",[18,504,36],{}," de algodón."," (The shirt is made of cotton.)\n    ",[70,508,183,509,444,512,515,516,521,522,528,529,532,533,538],{},[18,510,511],{},"T - Time",[31,513,514],{},"hora, día y fecha","): telling time, days and dates. ",[31,517,518,520],{},[18,519,287],{}," las\n      tres y media."," (It's three thirty.) ",[31,523,524,525,527],{},"Hoy ",[18,526,36],{}," 14 de octubre."," (Today is October 14.)\n      Use the plural ",[31,530,531],{},"son"," for every hour except one o'clock: ",[31,534,535,537],{},[18,536,60],{}," la una."," (It's one\n      o'clock.)\n    ",[70,540,183,541,444,544,547,548,550,551,556,557,560],{},[18,542,543],{},"O - Origin",[31,545,546],{},"origen","): where someone or something is from, with ",[31,549,491],{},".\n      ",[31,552,553,555],{},[18,554,264],{}," de México."," (We're from Mexico.) Where you are now is a different question, and it\n      takes estar: ",[31,558,559],{},"Estamos en Lima."," (We're in Lima.)\n    ",[70,562,183,563,444,566,569,570,576,577,583],{},[18,564,565],{},"R - Relationship",[31,567,568],{},"relaciones","): family, friends and people at work. ",[31,571,572,573,575],{},"Carlos\n      ",[18,574,36],{}," mi primo."," (Carlos is my cousin.) ",[31,578,579,580,582],{},"Ella ",[18,581,36],{}," mi jefa."," (She's my\n      boss.)\n    ",[585,586,588],"h3",{"id":587},"other-uses-of-ser","Other uses of ser",[14,590,591],{},"DOCTOR doesn't cover everything. Four more uses of ser come up all the time:",[67,593,16,594,16,617,16,635,16,655,12],{},[70,595,183,596,599,600,606,607,613,614,479],{},[18,597,598],{},"Events",", to say where and when something takes place: ",[31,601,602,603,605],{},"La reunión ",[18,604,36],{}," en la\n      sala 3."," (The meeting is in room 3.) ",[31,608,609,610,612],{},"El concierto ",[18,611,36],{}," a las nueve."," (The concert is\n      at nine.) This is the big exception to \"location takes estar\"; see ",[73,615,616],{"href":110},"estar, ser or hay",[70,618,183,619,413,622,628,629,634],{},[18,620,621],{},"Prices, as a total",[31,623,624,625,627],{},"¿Cuánto ",[18,626,36],{},"?"," - ",[31,630,631,633],{},[18,632,287],{}," veinte\n      euros."," (How much is it? - It's twenty euros.) You'll hear this at the register when the cashier rings you up.\n    ",[70,636,183,637,444,640,642,643,648,649,654],{},[18,638,639],{},"Impersonal expressions",[31,641,36],{}," + adjective + infinitive): ",[31,644,645,647],{},[18,646,60],{}," importante\n      dormir bien."," (It's important to get a good night's sleep.) ",[31,650,651,653],{},[18,652,60],{}," mejor esperar."," (It's\n      better to wait.)\n    ",[70,656,183,657,660,661,668,669,479],{},[18,658,659],{},"The passive voice"," (ser + past participle): ",[31,662,663,664,667],{},"El puente ",[18,665,666],{},"fue"," construido en\n      1890."," (The bridge was built in 1890.) Here ser is in the preterite, and the participle agrees with the\n      subject: ",[31,670,671],{},"el puente → construido",[10,673,12,674,12,677,12,702,12,819,12,823,12,922],{},[150,675,676],{"id":175},"When to use estar: the PLACE rule",[14,678,679,680,413,683,686,687,690,691,694,695,697,698,701],{},"\n    For estar, US teachers use the acronym ",[18,681,682],{},"PLACE",[18,684,685],{},"P","osition, ",[18,688,689],{},"L","ocation,\n    ",[18,692,693],{},"A","ction, ",[18,696,424],{},"ondition and ",[18,699,700],{},"E","motion. All five describe how or where\n    someone or something is at a given moment. Many classes add a rhyme: \"For how you feel and where you are, always\n    use the verb estar.\" It's a handy reminder, as long as you remember that the location of events is an exception.\n  ",[67,703,16,704,16,732,16,754,16,774,16,797,12],{},[70,705,183,706,444,709,712,713,719,720,727,728,731],{},[18,707,708],{},"P - Position",[31,710,711],{},"posición","): physical posture. ",[31,714,715,718],{},[18,716,717],{},"Estoy"," sentado.","\n      (I'm sitting.) ",[31,721,722,723,726],{},"Los niños ",[18,724,725],{},"están"," de pie."," (The children are standing.) English uses the -ing\n      form here, but Spanish describes the resulting position: ",[31,729,730],{},"sentado"," literally means \"seated.\"\n    ",[70,733,183,734,444,737,740,741,746,747,753],{},[18,735,736],{},"L - Location",[31,738,739],{},"ubicación","): where a person or thing is. ",[31,742,743,744,251],{},"El museo\n      ",[18,745,43],{}," (The museum is downtown.) ",[31,748,749,750,752],{},"¿Dónde ",[18,751,725],{}," mis\n      llaves?"," (Where are my keys?)\n    ",[70,755,183,756,444,759,762,763,767,768,773],{},[18,757,758],{},"A - Action",[31,760,761],{},"acción en curso","): an action in progress, with estar + gerund\n      (",[73,764,766],{"href":765},"\u002Fen\u002Fgerundio-spanish-gerund","gerundio","). ",[31,769,770,772],{},[18,771,273],{}," cenando."," (We're having\n      dinner.) This is the Spanish present progressive, the closest equivalent of English \"be + -ing.\"\n    ",[70,775,183,776,444,779,782,783,789,790,796],{},[18,777,778],{},"C - Condition",[31,780,781],{},"estado físico o temporal","): physical and temporary states.\n      ",[31,784,785,786,788],{},"La sopa ",[18,787,43],{}," fría."," (The soup is cold.) ",[31,791,792,793,795],{},"Mi hijo ",[18,794,43],{},"\n      enfermo."," (My son is sick.)\n    ",[70,798,183,799,444,802,805,806,811,812,818],{},[18,800,801],{},"E - Emotion",[31,803,804],{},"emociones","): feelings and moods. ",[31,807,808,810],{},[18,809,717],{}," contenta.","\n      (I'm happy, said by a woman.) ",[31,813,814,817],{},[18,815,816],{},"Están"," nerviosos antes del examen."," (They're nervous before\n      the exam.)\n    ",[585,820,822],{"id":821},"other-uses-of-estar","Other uses of estar",[67,824,16,825,16,850,16,870,16,889,12],{},[70,826,183,827,830,831,835,836,842,843,849],{},[18,828,829],{},"The result of a change"," (estar + past participle, see\n      ",[73,832,834],{"href":833},"\u002Fen\u002Fparticipio-past-participle","participio","): ",[31,837,838,839,841],{},"La tienda ",[18,840,43],{}," cerrada."," (The\n      store is closed.) ",[31,844,845,846,848],{},"La ventana ",[18,847,43],{}," abierta."," (The window is open.) Someone closed the store\n      and opened the window; estar describes the state that resulted. The passive with ser, by contrast, describes the\n      action itself.\n    ",[70,851,183,852,855,856,862,863,869],{},[18,853,854],{},"Muerto and vivo"," always take estar, even though death is permanent: Spanish treats it as the\n      result of a change. ",[31,857,858,859,861],{},"La planta ",[18,860,43],{}," muerta."," (The plant is dead.) ",[31,864,865,866,868],{},"El pez\n      ",[18,867,43],{}," vivo."," (The fish is alive.)\n    ",[70,871,183,872,875,876,881,882,888],{},[18,873,874],{},"Bien and mal"," only go with estar: ",[31,877,878,880],{},[18,879,717],{}," bien."," (I'm fine.)\n      ",[31,883,884,885,887],{},"Esto ",[18,886,43],{}," mal."," (This is wrong.)\n    ",[70,890,183,891,413,894,897,898,901,902,905,906,909,910,915,916,921],{},[18,892,893],{},"Set expressions",[31,895,896],{},"estar de acuerdo"," (to agree), ",[31,899,900],{},"estar de vacaciones"," (to be on\n      vacation), ",[31,903,904],{},"estar de buen humor"," (to be in a good mood), ",[31,907,908],{},"estar a punto de"," (to be about to).\n      ",[31,911,912,914],{},[18,913,717],{}," de acuerdo contigo."," (I agree with you.) ",[31,917,918,920],{},[18,919,816],{}," de vacaciones\n      en Italia."," (They're on vacation in Italy.)\n    ",[14,923,16,924,927,928,933,934,939],{},[18,925,926],{},"Estar de"," + a profession means a temporary job: ",[31,929,930,932],{},[18,931,53],{}," de camarero este\n    verano."," (He's working as a waiter this summer.) But ",[31,935,936,938],{},[18,937,60],{}," camarero."," (He's a waiter.)\n    is his profession.\n  ",[10,941,12,942,12,946],{},[150,943,945],{"id":944},"ejercicio","Ser vs estar quiz: ser or estar?",[14,947,948],{},"\n    Time to put the rules to work. The quiz gives you 10 everyday sentences with a blank: choose the right form of ser\n    or estar, and after each answer you'll see the rule behind it. Every new round picks sentences you haven't seen yet,\n    so you can keep practicing until the choice feels automatic.\n  ",[950,951],"tense-quiz",{"set":952},"ser-estar",[10,954,12,955,12,959,12,962,12,966,12,1199,12,1203,12,1206],{},[150,956,958],{"id":957},"adjetivos","Adjectives that change meaning with ser and estar",[14,960,961],{},"\n    Most adjectives keep their meaning with either verb: ser gives the general trait, estar the current state. A small\n    group, though, changes meaning completely, and English needs two different words to translate each one. These\n    adjectives are a favorite on quizzes and tests, so learn them in pairs.\n  ",[585,963,965],{"id":964},"adjectives-that-change-meaning","Adjectives that change meaning",[178,967,16,968,12],{},[181,969,183,970,183,983,16],{},[185,971,187,972,183],{},[189,973,191,974,191,977,191,980,187],{},[193,975,976],{},"Adjective",[193,978,979],{},"With ser",[193,981,982],{},"With estar",[201,984,187,985,187,1009,187,1035,187,1059,187,1084,187,1106,187,1130,187,1153,187,1176,183],{},[189,986,191,987,191,990,191,1000,187],{},[206,988,989],{},"aburrido",[206,991,992,993,999],{},"boring: ",[31,994,995,996,998],{},"La clase ",[18,997,36],{}," aburrida."," (The class is boring.)",[206,1001,1002,1003,1008],{},"bored: ",[31,1004,1005,1007],{},[18,1006,717],{}," aburrido."," (I'm bored.)",[189,1010,191,1011,191,1014,191,1024,187],{},[206,1012,1013],{},"listo",[206,1015,1016,1017,1023],{},"smart: ",[31,1018,1019,1020,1022],{},"Tu hija ",[18,1021,36],{}," muy lista."," (Your daughter is very smart.)",[206,1025,1026,1027,1034],{},"ready: ",[31,1028,1029,1030,1033],{},"¿",[18,1031,1032],{},"Estás"," listo?"," (Are you ready?)",[189,1036,191,1037,191,1040,191,1050,187],{},[206,1038,1039],{},"malo",[206,1041,1042,1043,1049],{},"bad: ",[31,1044,1045,1046,1048],{},"Ese jefe ",[18,1047,36],{}," malo."," (That boss is bad.)",[206,1051,1052,1053,1058],{},"spoiled \u002F sick: ",[31,1054,1055,1056,1048],{},"Este yogur ",[18,1057,43],{}," (This yogurt has gone bad.)",[189,1060,191,1061,191,1064,191,1074,187],{},[206,1062,1063],{},"bueno",[206,1065,1066,1067,1073],{},"good: ",[31,1068,1069,1070,1072],{},"El libro ",[18,1071,36],{}," bueno."," (The book is good.)",[206,1075,1076,1077,1083],{},"tasty: ",[31,1078,1079,1080,1082],{},"El pastel ",[18,1081,43],{}," muy bueno."," (The cake tastes really good.)",[189,1085,191,1086,191,1089,191,1099,187],{},[206,1087,1088],{},"rico",[206,1090,1091,1092,1098],{},"rich: ",[31,1093,1094,1095,1097],{},"Su familia ",[18,1096,36],{}," rica."," (Her family is rich.)",[206,1100,1076,1101,1105],{},[31,1102,785,1103,1097],{},[18,1104,43],{}," (The soup is delicious.)",[189,1107,191,1108,191,1111,191,1121,187],{},[206,1109,1110],{},"verde",[206,1112,1113,1114,1120],{},"green (color): ",[31,1115,1116,1117,1119],{},"La manzana ",[18,1118,36],{}," verde."," (The apple is green.)",[206,1122,1123,1124,1129],{},"unripe: ",[31,1125,1126,1127,1119],{},"El plátano ",[18,1128,43],{}," (The banana isn't ripe yet.)",[189,1131,191,1132,191,1135,191,1144,187],{},[206,1133,1134],{},"vivo",[206,1136,1137,1138,1143],{},"lively, quick-witted: ",[31,1139,1140,1142],{},[18,1141,60],{}," un niño muy vivo."," (He's a very sharp kid.)",[206,1145,1146,1147,1152],{},"alive (not dead): ",[31,1148,1149,1150,868],{},"El pez ",[18,1151,43],{}," (The fish is alive.)",[189,1154,191,1155,191,1158,191,1167,187],{},[206,1156,1157],{},"orgulloso",[206,1159,1160,1161,1166],{},"arrogant: ",[31,1162,1163,1165],{},[18,1164,60],{}," muy orgulloso."," (He's very arrogant.)",[206,1168,1169,1170,1175],{},"proud of: ",[31,1171,1172,1174],{},[18,1173,53],{}," orgullosa de su hija."," (She's proud of her daughter.)",[189,1177,191,1178,191,1181,191,1191,187],{},[206,1179,1180],{},"seguro",[206,1182,1183,1184,1190],{},"safe: ",[31,1185,1186,1187,1189],{},"El barrio ",[18,1188,36],{}," seguro."," (The neighborhood is safe.)",[206,1192,1193,1194,1198],{},"sure: ",[31,1195,1196,1189],{},[18,1197,717],{}," (I'm sure.)",[585,1200,1202],{"id":1201},"same-meaning-different-nuance","Same meaning, different nuance",[14,1204,1205],{},"\n    With many other adjectives the meaning stays the same and only the point of view changes: ser describes what\n    someone is like in general, estar how they look or feel now, often compared with how they usually are.\n  ",[67,1207,16,1208,16,1221,16,1234,16,1247,12],{},[70,1209,1210,1215,1216,1220],{},[31,1211,1212,1214],{},[18,1213,60],{}," guapa."," (She's beautiful, always.) \u002F ",[31,1217,1218,1214],{},[18,1219,53],{}," (She looks beautiful today, in that dress.)",[70,1222,1223,1228,1229,1233],{},[31,1224,1225,1227],{},[18,1226,60],{}," delgado."," (He's slim; that's his build.) \u002F ",[31,1230,1231,1227],{},[18,1232,53],{}," (He looks thin; he's lost weight.)",[70,1235,1236,1241,1242,1246],{},[31,1237,1238,1240],{},[18,1239,60],{}," nervioso."," (He's a nervous person by nature.) \u002F ",[31,1243,1244,1240],{},[18,1245,53],{}," (He's nervous right now.)",[70,1248,1249,1254,1255,1259,1260,1263],{},[31,1250,1251,1253],{},[18,1252,60],{}," casado."," \u002F ",[31,1256,1257,1253],{},[18,1258,53],{}," (He's married.) For marital status both are correct. In Spain ",[31,1261,1262],{},"está casado"," is more common; in Latin America you'll hear both.",[10,1265,12,1266,12,1270,12,1284,12,1372,12,1375,12,1406],{},[150,1267,1269],{"id":1268},"lugar","Location: estar, ser or hay",[14,1271,1272,1273,1278,1279,1283],{},"\n    Location is where the permanent\u002Ftemporary rule fails most often. A museum isn't going anywhere, yet you say\n    ",[31,1274,1275,1276,251],{},"El museo ",[18,1277,43],{}," (The museum is downtown.), while a party lasts a few hours, yet\n    you say ",[31,1280,239,1281,242],{},[18,1282,36],{}," (The party is at my house.) What matters isn't how long\n    something lasts, but what you're locating: a specific person or thing, the existence of something, or an event.\n    Spanish uses a different verb for each:\n  ",[178,1285,16,1286,12],{},[181,1287,183,1288,183,1301,16],{},[185,1289,187,1290,183],{},[189,1291,191,1292,191,1295,191,1298,187],{},[193,1293,1294],{},"Verb",[193,1296,1297],{},"When",[193,1299,1300],{},"Example",[201,1302,187,1303,187,1328,187,1350,183],{},[189,1304,191,1305,191,1309,191,1319,187],{},[206,1306,1307],{},[18,1308,175],{},[206,1310,1311,1312,394,1315,1318],{},"Where a specific person or thing is (with ",[31,1313,1314],{},"el\u002Fla",[31,1316,1317],{},"mi"," or a name)",[206,1320,1321,1327],{},[31,1322,1323,1324,1326],{},"El banco ",[18,1325,43],{}," en la esquina."," (The bank is on the corner.)",[189,1329,191,1330,191,1335,191,1341,187],{},[206,1331,1332],{},[18,1333,1334],{},"hay",[206,1336,1337,1338,1340],{},"Whether something exists, when you mention it for the first time (with ",[31,1339,474],{},", a number or no article)",[206,1342,1343,1349],{},[31,1344,1345,1348],{},[18,1346,1347],{},"Hay"," un banco en la esquina."," (There's a bank on the corner.)",[189,1351,191,1352,191,1356,191,1363,187],{},[206,1353,1354],{},[18,1355,163],{},[206,1357,1358,1359,1362],{},"Where or when an event takes place (",[31,1360,1361],{},"fiesta, reunión, concierto, boda, clase",": a party, meeting, concert, wedding, class)",[206,1364,1365,1371],{},[31,1366,1367,1368,1370],{},"La boda ",[18,1369,36],{}," en la playa."," (The wedding is on the beach.)",[14,1373,1374],{},"Compare the pairs:",[67,1376,16,1377,16,1391,12],{},[70,1378,1379,1384,1385,1390],{},[31,1380,749,1381,1383],{},[18,1382,43],{}," el hotel?"," (Where is the hotel?) \u002F ",[31,1386,749,1387,1389],{},[18,1388,36],{}," la boda?"," (Where is the wedding?)",[70,1392,1393,1398,1399,1405],{},[31,1394,1395,1397],{},[18,1396,1347],{}," una farmacia cerca."," (There's a pharmacy nearby.) \u002F ",[31,1400,1401,1402,1404],{},"La farmacia ",[18,1403,43],{}," cerca."," (The pharmacy is nearby.)",[14,1407,1408,1409,1412,1413,1416,1417,1419,1420,1422,1423,1425,1426,1429],{},"\n    A quick test: if you can replace the verb with ",[31,1410,1411],{},"tener lugar"," or ",[31,1414,1415],{},"celebrarse"," (to take place, to be\n    held), use ser. English makes the same split: \"there is a bank\" (",[31,1418,1334],{},") vs \"the bank is\" (",[31,1421,43],{},"). Just don't confuse\n    ",[31,1424,1334],{},", a form of haber, with ",[31,1427,1428],{},"ahí"," (there).\n  ",[10,1431,12,1432,12,1436,12,1461,12,1465,12,1544,12,1548,12,1665],{},[150,1433,1435],{"id":1434},"conjugacion","Ser and estar conjugation",[14,1437,1438,1439,1443,1444,1447,1448,1451,1452,397,1456,1460],{},"\n    Both verbs are irregular and among the most common verbs in Spanish, so it pays to know their forms by heart.\n    Below are the ",[73,1440,1442],{"href":1441},"\u002Fen\u002Fpresente-present","present tense"," and the two simple past tenses, the preterite\n    (",[31,1445,1446],{},"indefinido",") and the imperfect (",[31,1449,1450],{},"imperfecto","). The charts for every tense and mood are on the\n    ",[73,1453,1455],{"href":1454},"\u002Fen\u002Fser-conjugation","ser conjugation",[73,1457,1459],{"href":1458},"\u002Fen\u002Festar-conjugation","estar conjugation"," pages.\n  ",[585,1462,1464],{"id":1463},"present-tense-presente","Present tense (presente)",[178,1466,16,1467,12],{},[181,1468,183,1469,183,1480,16],{},[185,1470,187,1471,183],{},[189,1472,191,1473,191,1476,191,1478,187],{},[193,1474,1475],{},"Person",[193,1477,163],{},[193,1479,175],{},[201,1481,187,1482,187,1493,187,1504,187,1513,187,1524,187,1535,183],{},[189,1483,1484,1487,1490],{},[206,1485,1486],{},"yo (I)",[206,1488,1489],{},"soy",[206,1491,1492],{},"estoy",[189,1494,1495,1498,1501],{},[206,1496,1497],{},"tú (you)",[206,1499,1500],{},"eres",[206,1502,1503],{},"estás",[189,1505,1506,1509,1511],{},[206,1507,1508],{},"él \u002F ella \u002F usted (he, she, you formal)",[206,1510,36],{},[206,1512,43],{},[189,1514,1515,1518,1521],{},[206,1516,1517],{},"nosotros \u002F nosotras (we)",[206,1519,1520],{},"somos",[206,1522,1523],{},"estamos",[189,1525,1526,1529,1532],{},[206,1527,1528],{},"vosotros \u002F vosotras (you all, Spain)",[206,1530,1531],{},"sois",[206,1533,1534],{},"estáis",[189,1536,1537,1540,1542],{},[206,1538,1539],{},"ellos \u002F ellas \u002F ustedes (they, you all)",[206,1541,531],{},[206,1543,725],{},[585,1545,1547],{"id":1546},"past-tenses-preterite-and-imperfect","Past tenses: preterite and imperfect",[178,1549,16,1550,12],{},[181,1551,183,1552,183,1570,16],{},[185,1553,187,1554,183],{},[189,1555,191,1556,191,1558,191,1561,191,1564,191,1567,187],{},[193,1557,1475],{},[193,1559,1560],{},"ser (preterite)",[193,1562,1563],{},"estar (preterite)",[193,1565,1566],{},"ser (imperfect)",[193,1568,1569],{},"estar (imperfect)",[201,1571,187,1572,187,1588,187,1604,187,1617,187,1633,187,1649,183],{},[189,1573,1574,1576,1579,1582,1585],{},[206,1575,1486],{},[206,1577,1578],{},"fui",[206,1580,1581],{},"estuve",[206,1583,1584],{},"era",[206,1586,1587],{},"estaba",[189,1589,1590,1592,1595,1598,1601],{},[206,1591,1497],{},[206,1593,1594],{},"fuiste",[206,1596,1597],{},"estuviste",[206,1599,1600],{},"eras",[206,1602,1603],{},"estabas",[189,1605,1606,1608,1610,1613,1615],{},[206,1607,1508],{},[206,1609,666],{},[206,1611,1612],{},"estuvo",[206,1614,1584],{},[206,1616,1587],{},[189,1618,1619,1621,1624,1627,1630],{},[206,1620,1517],{},[206,1622,1623],{},"fuimos",[206,1625,1626],{},"estuvimos",[206,1628,1629],{},"éramos",[206,1631,1632],{},"estábamos",[189,1634,1635,1637,1640,1643,1646],{},[206,1636,1528],{},[206,1638,1639],{},"fuisteis",[206,1641,1642],{},"estuvisteis",[206,1644,1645],{},"erais",[206,1647,1648],{},"estabais",[189,1650,1651,1653,1656,1659,1662],{},[206,1652,1539],{},[206,1654,1655],{},"fueron",[206,1657,1658],{},"estuvieron",[206,1660,1661],{},"eran",[206,1663,1664],{},"estaban",[14,1666,1667,1668,397,1671,1673,1674,1677,1678,397,1681,1683,1684,1686,1687,1689,1690,1692,1693,1698,1699,1704,1705,397,1708,1711,1712,397,1715,1718,1719,397,1722,401],{},"\n    Watch the accents. ",[31,1669,1670],{},"Estás, está, estáis",[31,1672,725],{}," carry a written accent; without it,\n    ",[31,1675,1676],{},"esta"," means \"this\" (feminine). ",[31,1679,1680],{},"Fui",[31,1682,666],{}," have no accent, and neither does\n    ",[31,1685,1581],{},"; ",[31,1688,1629],{}," has one, ",[31,1691,1645],{}," doesn't. The preterite of ser is identical to the preterite\n    of ir (to go), so context tells you which verb you're looking at: ",[31,1694,1695,1697],{},[18,1696,1680],{}," al cine."," (I went to\n    the movies.) \u002F ",[31,1700,1701,1703],{},[18,1702,1680],{}," profesor."," (I was a teacher.) The other forms worth knowing: the past\n    participles are ",[31,1706,1707],{},"sido",[31,1709,1710],{},"estado",", the gerunds ",[31,1713,1714],{},"siendo",[31,1716,1717],{},"estando",", and the\n    present subjunctive forms are ",[31,1720,1721],{},"sea",[31,1723,1724],{},"esté",[10,1726,12,1727,12,1731,12,1734],{},[150,1728,1730],{"id":1729},"errores","Common mistakes with ser and estar",[14,1732,1733],{},"\n    These seven mistakes account for most of the ser and estar errors English speakers make. An asterisk (*) marks the\n    incorrect version.\n  ",[1735,1736,16,1737,16,1749,16,1759,16,1769,16,1779,16,1794,16,1811,12],"ol",{},[70,1738,1739,1742,1743,1748],{},[31,1740,1741],{},"*Soy cansado."," → ",[31,1744,1745,1747],{},[18,1746,717],{}," cansado."," (I'm tired.) Being tired is a condition, the C in PLACE, so it takes estar.",[70,1750,1751,1742,1754,1758],{},[31,1752,1753],{},"*La fiesta está en mi casa.",[31,1755,239,1756,242],{},[18,1757,36],{}," (The party is at my house.) A party is an event, and the location of an event takes ser.",[70,1760,1761,1742,1764,1768],{},[31,1762,1763],{},"*El museo es en el centro.",[31,1765,1275,1766,251],{},[18,1767,43],{}," (The museum is downtown.) A museum is a building, not an event: where a thing is takes estar.",[70,1770,1771,1742,1774,1778],{},[31,1772,1773],{},"*La planta es muerta.",[31,1775,858,1776,861],{},[18,1777,43],{}," (The plant is dead.) Muerto always takes estar, even though death is permanent.",[70,1780,1781,1742,1784,1789,1790,1793],{},[31,1782,1783],{},"*Estoy profesora.",[31,1785,1786,37],{},[18,1787,1788],{},"Soy"," (I'm a teacher.) A profession takes ser. ",[31,1791,1792],{},"Estoy de profesora"," is only for a temporary job, \"I'm working as a teacher for now.\"",[70,1795,1796,1742,1799,1803,1804,397,1807,1810],{},[31,1797,1798],{},"*Es bien.",[31,1800,1801,880],{},[18,1802,53],{}," (It's fine.) \"It's good\" sounds like a description, but ",[31,1805,1806],{},"bien",[31,1808,1809],{},"mal"," are adverbs, and they only go with estar.",[70,1812,1813,1742,1816,1821,1822,1825],{},[31,1814,1815],{},"*Hoy está lunes.",[31,1817,524,1818,1820],{},[18,1819,36],{}," lunes."," (Today is Monday.) Days and dates take ser, the T in DOCTOR. You can also say ",[31,1823,1824],{},"Estamos a lunes."," (literally, \"we're at Monday\").",[10,1827,12,1828],{},[14,1829,1830,1831,1834,1835,397,1837,1839,1840,394,1842,1412,1844,1846,1847,394,1850,1853,1854,1857],{},"\n    How to remember ser vs estar: for every sentence, ask whether it says what something is (ser) or how and where it\n    is right now (estar). Use DOCTOR and PLACE to double-check, and learn the traps separately, because no rule of thumb\n    catches them: events take ser, ",[31,1832,1833],{},"muerto"," takes estar, ",[31,1836,1806],{},[31,1838,1809],{}," only take estar, and\n    adjectives like ",[31,1841,1013],{},[31,1843,1088],{},[31,1845,989],{}," change meaning with the verb. Practice them as\n    contrasting pairs and say them out loud: ",[31,1848,1849],{},"es listo \u002F está listo",[31,1851,1852],{},"la fiesta es \u002F la casa está",",\n    ",[31,1855,1856],{},"hay un banco \u002F el banco está",". Once the pairs sound natural, the choice stops being a calculation and\n    becomes a reflex.\n  ",[14,1859,1860],{},[73,1861,140],{"href":131,"className":1862},[133,134,135,136,137,138,139],[10,1864,12,1865],{},[14,1866,1867,1868,1853,1870,1853,1872,1853,1876,1853,1880,1884,1885,1889],{},"\n    Related: ",[73,1869,1455],{"href":1454},[73,1871,1459],{"href":1458},[73,1873,1875],{"href":1874},"\u002Fen\u002Fpreterite-vs-imperfect","Preterite vs Imperfect (with a quiz)",[73,1877,1879],{"href":1878},"\u002Fen\u002Fspanish-subjunctive","Spanish subjunctive",[73,1881,1883],{"href":1882},"\u002Fen\u002Fmost-common-spanish-verbs","100 most common Spanish verbs"," and the full\n    ",[73,1886,1888],{"href":1887},"\u002Fen\u002Fgrammar","Spanish grammar"," index.\n  ",{"title":1891,"searchDepth":1892,"depth":1892,"links":1893},"",2,[1894,1895,1899,1902,1903,1907,1908,1912],{"id":152,"depth":1892,"text":153},{"id":163,"depth":1892,"text":406,"children":1896},[1897],{"id":587,"depth":1898,"text":588},3,{"id":175,"depth":1892,"text":676,"children":1900},[1901],{"id":821,"depth":1898,"text":822},{"id":944,"depth":1892,"text":945},{"id":957,"depth":1892,"text":958,"children":1904},[1905,1906],{"id":964,"depth":1898,"text":965},{"id":1201,"depth":1898,"text":1202},{"id":1268,"depth":1892,"text":1269},{"id":1434,"depth":1892,"text":1435,"children":1909},[1910,1911],{"id":1463,"depth":1898,"text":1464},{"id":1546,"depth":1898,"text":1547},{"id":1729,"depth":1892,"text":1730},"Ser vs estar explained: when to use each verb, a ser vs estar chart, the DOCTOR and PLACE rules, adjectives that change meaning, conjugation and a quiz.","md",{"keywords":1916,"faq":1922},[1917,1918,1919,97,1920,1921],"ser vs estar","ser estar","ser vs estar chart","ser vs estar doctor place","when to use ser and estar",[1923,1926,1929,1932,1935,1938],{"q":1924,"a":1925},"What is the difference between ser and estar?","Both verbs mean to be. Ser tells you what someone or something is: identity, profession, characteristics, origin, time and dates. Estar tells you how or where someone or something is right now: a condition, an emotion, a location or an action in progress, as in Ana es profesora (Ana is a teacher) vs Ana está cansada (Ana is tired).",{"q":1927,"a":1928},"How do I know whether to use ser or estar?","Ask whether the sentence says what something is (ser) or how and where it is (estar). Then check the DOCTOR list for ser (description, occupation, characteristics, time, origin, relationship) and the PLACE list for estar (position, location, action, condition, emotion), and learn the traps separately: events, muerto, bien and mal, and adjectives that change meaning.",{"q":1930,"a":1931},"Why is it está muerto and not es muerto?","Death is permanent, but Spanish treats being dead as the result of a change, and the result of a change takes estar. Muerto and vivo always go with estar: La planta está muerta (The plant is dead), El pez está vivo (The fish is alive).",{"q":1933,"a":1934},"Is it es casado or está casado?","Both are correct for marital status: es casado and está casado both mean he is married. In Spain está casado is more common; in Latin America you will hear both.",{"q":1936,"a":1937},"Do you use ser or estar for location?","Use estar for where a person or thing is: El museo está en el centro (The museum is downtown). Use ser for where an event takes place: La boda es en la playa (The wedding is on the beach). To say that something exists or to mention it for the first time, use hay: Hay un banco en la esquina (There is a bank on the corner).",{"q":1939,"a":1940},"Which adjectives change meaning with ser and estar?","The main ones are aburrido, listo, malo, bueno, rico, verde, vivo, orgulloso and seguro. For example, es listo means he is smart and está listo means he is ready; es aburrido means boring and está aburrido means bored; es rico means rich and está rico means tasty.",true,"\u002Fser-vs-estar\u002Fen",{"title":5,"description":1913},"ser-vs-estar\u002Fen","2x7tPyXM8QsVvCIXPrYTEFVX-wUWKZYaq6GuX6R7yS8",1791981050976]