When I first started learning Spanish, I thought saying “are” would be easy.
In English, it’s just one word — you are, they are, we are.
But then came Spanish… and I quickly learned there were two different words for “are.”
One sunny afternoon in Madrid, I said to a friend, “Tú estás profesora” — thinking I’d said, “You are a teacher.” She smiled kindly and replied,
“Actually, it’s tú eres profesora.”
That’s when I discovered that in Spanish, “are” isn’t just a translation — it’s a choice between two ideas:
- Who you are (permanently)
- and how you are (temporarily).
This distinction reveals something deeply cultural: Spanish doesn’t just describe what something is — it describes what it means to be.
🇪🇸 What “Are” Means in Spanish
In Spanish, the English verb “to be” has two equivalents:
- Ser – used for identity, characteristics, time, origin, or permanent states.
- Estar – used for temporary states, emotions, or locations.
Both mean “are,” depending on the context.
Let’s break it down 👇
📘 The Two Spanish Verbs for “Are”
| Verb | Used For | Examples | English Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ser | Permanent traits, identity, origin, time, profession | Tú eres amable. / Ellos son de México. | You are kind. / They are from Mexico. |
| Estar | Temporary states, emotions, or location | Tú estás feliz. / Ellos están en casa. | You are happy. / They are at home. |
👉 Key takeaway:
If something defines what or who you are → use ser.
If something describes how or where you are → use estar.
🔤 Conjugation Chart: How to Say “Are” in Spanish
| English Pronoun | SER (To Be – Permanent) | ESTAR (To Be – Temporary) |
|---|---|---|
| I am | soy | estoy |
| You are (informal) | eres | estás |
| He/She is | es | está |
| We are | somos | estamos |
| You are (plural Spain) | sois | estáis |
| They/You are (plural) | son | están |
💬 Examples of “Are” in Real Sentences
Using Ser (Permanent)
- Tú eres mi amigo. → You are my friend.
- Ellos son estudiantes. → They are students.
- Nosotros somos de Argentina. → We are from Argentina.
- ¿Quiénes son ellos? → Who are they?
Using Estar (Temporary)
- Tú estás cansado. → You are tired.
- Ellos están en casa. → They are at home.
- Nosotros estamos contentos. → We are happy.
- ¿Cómo estás? → How are you?
💡 Cultural Insight: “Ser” and “Estar” Reflect How Spanish Speakers See the World
Spanish doesn’t just say what you are — it says what kind of being you are in that moment.
That’s why the language distinguishes between permanent identity (ser) and temporary state (estar).
For example:
- Saying “Eres guapo” (You are handsome) implies a lasting quality.
- Saying “Estás guapo” (You look handsome) means it’s just today — maybe because of your outfit or mood!
This duality reflects a rich cultural philosophy: being is fluid, emotional, and human.
🔍 Common Mistakes English Speakers Make
- ❌ Using “estar” for profession:
- Wrong: Estoy profesor.
- ✅ Correct: Soy profesor. (It’s part of your identity, not a temporary state.)
- ❌ Using “ser” for emotions:
- Wrong: Eres feliz hoy.
- ✅ Correct: Estás feliz hoy. (Happiness today is temporary.)
- ❌ Confusing location and origin:
- Wrong: Estoy de México.
- ✅ Correct: Soy de México. (Origin = permanent.)
🧠 Memory Trick: “DOCTOR” vs. “PLACE”
To remember when to use ser or estar, use this classic mnemonic:
SER → DOCTOR (Permanent Qualities)
- D – Description (Ella es alta.)
- O – Occupation (Soy médico.)
- C – Characteristic (Eres simpático.)
- T – Time (Es lunes.)
- O – Origin (Soy de Perú.)
- R – Relationship (Son mis amigos.)
ESTAR → PLACE (Temporary States)
- P – Position (Está sentado.)
- L – Location (Estamos en casa.)
- A – Action (Estoy comiendo.)
- C – Condition (Estás cansado.)
- E – Emotion (Estoy feliz.)
📚 Table: How “Are” Is Said in Other Languages (for Comparison)
| Language | Word/Phrase for “Are” | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Spanish | eres / estás / son / están | Two verbs: ser and estar |
| French | es / êtes / sont | From “être,” similar to ser |
| Italian | sei / siete / sono | From “essere” — closer to ser |
| Portuguese | és / estão / são | Same split between ser and estar |
| German | bist / sind / seid | Comes from “sein,” meaning to be |
| English | are | No distinction between permanent or temporary |
| Turkish | sin / sınız | Based on suffixes; no separate verb |
| Japanese | desu / iru | Depends on context and formality |
| Hindi | ho / hain | Changes with politeness and number |
| Arabic | (no direct “are”) | Often implied in structure |
This shows that Spanish is one of the few languages that emotionally separates identity and condition — something uniquely expressive.
💬 Proverbs and Expressions Using “Ser” and “Estar”
- Ser o no ser, esa es la cuestión. — “To be or not to be, that is the question.”
- Estar en las nubes. — “To be daydreaming.”
- Ser pan comido. — “To be a piece of cake.”
- Estar hecho polvo. — “To be exhausted.”
Idioms show how ser and estar shape emotion and meaning — even beyond grammar.
❓ FAQs
Q1: What’s the difference between “ser” and “estar”?
Use ser for permanent characteristics, origin, or identity. Use estar for temporary emotions, conditions, or location.
Q2: How do you say “you are” in Spanish?
“You are” = tú eres (permanent) or tú estás (temporary).
Q3: Why does Spanish have two words for “are”?
Because Spanish distinguishes between being something and feeling something — a concept English doesn’t separate.
Q4: What’s the plural of “you are” in Spanish?
In Spain: vosotros sois / estáis.
In Latin America: ustedes son / están.
Q5: What are some common expressions with “estar”?
Estar bien (to be fine), estar enfermo (to be sick), estar feliz (to be happy).
❤️ Conclusion: Learning “Are” Is Learning Perspective
Understanding how to say “are” in Spanish isn’t just about memorizing verbs — it’s about seeing the world the way Spanish speakers do.
In English, “you are” is simple.
In Spanish, “tú eres” or “tú estás” says something deeper — who you are or how you are right now.
So next time you practice Spanish, remember:
Every “are” tells a story — of identity, feeling, and being alive in the moment.
💬 Now it’s your turn!
Try writing three sentences using ser and estar below — and share how you understand the difference. Let’s learn together! 🌎
