The Spanish verb estar has many idiomatic expressions associated with it. Idioms are phrases or sentences that do not translate directly from one language to another. A common example in English is ‘ it’s raining cats and dogs.’ Idioms developed over time in languages and sometimes the origin of them is known and other times it is unknown. They are a colourful part of any language and should be learned along with regular vocabulary and grammar to become a fluent speaker. Here are some of the more common idioms with estar:

estar de viaje                                                 to be travelling

estar de vacaciones                                   to be on vacation

estar de negocios                                        to be somewhere on business

estar de moda                                    to be in fashion/style

estar en forma                                   to be in shape

estar de acuerdo                                to be in agreement

estar de jefe                                                     to be the acting boss

estar en un lío                                                to be in a mess/trouble

estar de rodillas                                            to be kneeling

estar de pie                                                       to be standing

estar de buen/mal humor                     to be in a good/bad mood

Being mindful when using adjectives with estar to agree your adjective with your noun!

estar hecho/a polvo                                 to be worn out

estar hecho/a una sopa                             to be soaking wet

estar apurado/a                                              to be in a hurry

Spanish is unique in that it has two verbs which mean ‘to be’. One must memorize which one to use for each situation. The verb ser describes the essence of something.  Although everything changes with time, ser is used to describe qualities that do not normally change overnight. The verb estar is mainly concerned with location and temporary states of being.  It also functions as an auxiliary verb in Spanish.

Sometimes both verbs are correct, with a different meaning:

Estoy feliz. = I am happy (now).

Soy feliz.     = I am happy (generally).

Ser

1.  States nationality and origin

2.  Used for profession including students

3.  Describes personality

4.  Describes characteristic appearance

5.  Used for materials ‘made of’

6.  Used as an identifier

7.  Used to show relationships

8.  Used to identify possession

9.  Used with date and time

10.  Used to explain where events take place

11.  Used for generalizations

Estar

1.  Expresses temporary conditions and emotions

2.  Used for location

3.  Used for impressions, sensory reactions

4.  Used as an auxiliary verb with the gerund

5.  Used to express results of actions

 Other Ways to Express ‘to Be’

1. Tener is used in certain expressions ie. tengo hambre

2. Hay expresses ‘there is/are.’

3. Hacer is used to describe the weather.

Ser and Estar Practice

Paco and Rosa are friends who have run into each other on the street.  Please read the dialogue and give the reason for each use of ser and estar.

Paco: ¿Cómo estás (1)?

Rosa: Bien. ¿Qué haces hoy?

Paco: Tengo mi clase de inglés.

Rosa: ¿Cuándo?

Paco:  La clase es (2) a las tres.

Rosa: ¿De dónde es (3) tu profesor?

Paco:  De Inglaterra.

Rosa:  ¿Dónde es (4) la clase?

Paco:  Es en mi oficina.

Rosa:  ¿Estámos (5) cerca de tu oficina?

Paco:  No, pero tengo un auto hoy.

Rosa: ¿Es (6) nuevo?

Paco:  Sí. Es nuevo, negro y caro.

Rosa: ¿Es (7) tu auto?

Paco:  No, es de mi esposa. Mi auto está (8) roto (broken). Mi mecánico está (9) reparando el auto ahora.

Rosa: ¡Qué horrible! Los mecánicos son (10) todos muy caros.