Ser vs estar: when to use each one
English has one verb "to be". Portuguese has two. The rule is simpler than it looks.
The simple rule
- Ser = what something is: identity, origin, profession, personality, time and dates.
- Estar = how or where something is right now: feelings, temporary states, location of people and things.
| Ser | Estar |
|---|---|
| Eu sou brasileiro. (origin) | Eu estou cansado. (state) |
| Ela é médica. (profession) | Ela está no hospital. (location) |
| Ele é calmo. (personality) | Ele está nervoso hoje. (right now) |
| São três horas. (time) | Está chovendo. (happening now) |
Present tense
| Ser | Estar | |
|---|---|---|
| eu | sou | estou (casual: tô) |
| você / ele / ela | é | está (casual: tá) |
| nós | somos | estamos |
| vocês / eles / elas | são | estão |
Examples
Eu sou de Chicago.I'm from Chicago.
Estou muito feliz hoje!I'm very happy today!
A comida está ótima.The food is (tastes) great. (right now)
O Brasil é enorme.Brazil is huge.
The tricky ones
- Location of events uses ser: A festa é na casa da Ana. (The party is at Ana's house.)
- Location of places often uses ficar: Onde fica o banco? (Where is the bank?)
- Same adjective, different meaning: Ele é chato (he's annoying) vs Ele está chato hoje (he's being annoying today).
Common mistakes
Eu sou cansado. → Eu estou cansado.Being tired is a temporary state: estar.
Eu estou americano. → Eu sou americano.Nationality is identity: ser.
Quick quiz
1. Complete: "Eu ___ professora." (I'm a teacher)
2. Complete: "Nós ___ com fome." (We're hungry)
3. Complete: "A festa ___ no sábado." (The party is on Saturday)
FAQ
What is the difference between ser and estar?
Ser describes what something is (identity, origin, profession, personality). Estar describes temporary states and where people or things are right now.
Is it "sou" or "estou" for feelings?
Feelings are temporary, so use estar: "Estou feliz", "Estou triste".
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