Español en serio
Ser vs Estar in Spanish: Adjectives That Change Meaning
Dieser Beitrag erklärt ein wichtiges Thema der spanischen Grammatik (Text auf Englisch).
Ser y estar. One of the nightmares of Spanish
One of the complications of these two verbs is that both can be used with an adjective, but with different meanings. For example:
This occurs with several adjectives. The topic is explained in this blog:
https://spanishforlondon.com/2025/01/01/13-adjectives-that-change-meanings-with-ser-or-estar/
Now, if I say “ella es orgullosa”, that person may be arrogant for her whole life or only for a period of time. In other words, this situation may be permanent or not permanent. This dispels the myth —very widespread— that in Spanish we use the verb “ser” for permanent situations and the verb “estar” for non-permanent situations. Although this explanation is often repeated, it is not correct and does not reflect how these verbs actually work. In fact, our example from the episode clearly demonstrates this: “está muerto”. Death is permanent, but we say this with the verb “estar”.
We could give many more examples that show that these verbs can be used for permanent or non-permanent situations, and that this is not at all relevant for understanding the difference in their use. Examples:
🟡 Ser– permanent situation: Ella es mi madre.
🟡 Ser– non-permanent situation: Ella es mi amiga. (but then we fall out and she is no longer)
🟡 Estar– permanent situation: Londres está en Inglaterra.
🟡 Estar– non-permanent situation: Mi amiga está en Londres. (but next week she goes to Madrid)
If you are learning Spanish and find explanations like this helpful, I offer personalised online Spanish lessons for students and adults worldwide, including GCSE and A-Level preparation.
Lessons are available in English or German, and I offer a free initial consultation. You can contact me at laura@spanishforlondon.com.
Example from the episode
Remember that you can read the novel that complements this blog, which I am writing alongside these grammar posts, where you can see examples in context of what we are explaining:
Episodio: – Es un bebé – Está muerto
Read the full episode here →
Episode 23
Book your first free demo lesson, with no obligation on your behalf, at laura.@spanishforlondon.com.
Bachelor’s degree in Literature (University of Buenos Aires). Spanish and Literature teacher. Researcher and author of Los premios Nobel de literatura. Una lectura crítica (University of Seville). More than 30 years’ experience teaching Spanish to international students.
One-to-one lessons via Zoom.
Abschluss in Literaturwissenschaft (Universität Buenos Aires). Lehrerin für Spanisch und Literatur. Forscherin und Autorin des Buches Los premios Nobel de literatura. Una lectura crítica (Universität Sevilla). Über 30 Jahre Erfahrung im Unterricht von Spanisch als Fremdsprache.
Einzelunterricht über Zoom.
