Episode 006 Learning Spanish verbs with Zak: Ser vs. Estar

Think of "ser" and "estar" like two different kinds of "to be" in Spanish, but each one has a special job.

Ser is like your superhero name:

• Ser is for things that are permanent or long-lasting—things that are true about you all the time.

• Imagine you have a name tag that says your name, where you're from, or what you're like. These things don’t usually change.

For example:

• "Soy Silvia" (I am Silvia) – Your name doesn’t change.

• "Soy de España" (I am from Spain) – Where you’re from is permanent.

• "Soy alta" (I am tall) – Your height is usually long-lasting.

Estar is like your mood ring:

• Estar is for things that can change—how you’re feeling or where you are at a certain moment.

• Imagine wearing a mood ring that changes color depending on how you feel.

For example:

• "Estoy feliz" (I am happy) – How you feel can change.

• "Estoy en casa" (I am at home) – You can be in different places at different times.

So… A simple way to remember:

• Ser is like a superhero name: it tells you who you are or what you are.

• Estar is like a mood ring: it shows how you’re feeling or where you are right now.