Ser y estar: two verbs, the same meaning in English
In English, the verb “to be” is used to express ideas that in Spanish correspond to two different verbs: “ser” and “estar.” This distinction is often confusing for many students, since a literal translation isn’t enough. The choice depends on the meaning we want to convey: identity, origin, profession, or permanent characteristics (“ser”), versus states, location, or temporary situations (“estar”).
Below you’ll find two exercises to practice the uses of “ser” and “estar,” tailored for B1-level Spanish learners.
Tip: Always ask yourself whether the sentence describes what someone or something is (ser) or how they are, where they are, or what situation they’re in (estar).
Exercise 1: puzzle
This first exercise is quick and fun. Just click on each of the tabs at the top (“Ser” and “Estar”), and then check off each piece of the puzzle until the background image is revealed.
Exercise 2: fill in the blanks
In this second activity, you’ll find several Spanish sentences with one or more blanks. Your task is to fill in each blank with the correct form of “ser,” “estar,” or another verb when necessary. Before answering, think about the meaning of the sentence and not just its English translation.
Read each sentence carefully and show how much you know about one of the most important aspects of Spanish grammar.
