ser
/ˈseɾ/
The Spanish phrase for "to be" is ser.
Ser is used to express permanent or essential characteristics and professions, such as saying Soy profesor (I am a teacher).
Which one should you use?
In Spanish, ser is used for permanent or essential characteristics, whereas estar is used for temporary states or locations.
How does it change in a sentence?
The verb ser is highly irregular in the present tense. Its forms include soy, eres, es, somos, sois and son. Common conjugations include: Yo soy (I am), Tú eres (You are, informal singular), Él/Ella/Usted es (He/She/You are, formal singular), Nosotros/Nosotras somos (We are) and Ellos/Ellas/Ustedes son (They/You all are).
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈseɾ/
Did you know?
- Although ser and estar both mean 'to be', they are not interchangeable and using the wrong one can change a sentence from 'I am bored' to 'I am boring'.
- Historically, the verb ser absorbed the Old Spanish word seer, which originally came from the Latin 'sedēre' meaning 'to sit'.
- While ser describes essence, Spanish uses it for time and date, such as saying Son las tres to mean 'It is three o'clock'.
Examples in context
- Va a ser así.It's going to be like that.This sentence is useful for expressing how something is going to be with ser.Tatoeba #10067312 by manufrutos, translation #10067125 by shekitten
- Voy a ser tío.I'm going to be an uncle.This sentence is useful for expressing a future state of being a relative with ser.Tatoeba #3010082 by marcelostockle, translation #2545411 by CK
- ¿Qué vas a ser?What are you going to be?This sentence is useful for asking about someone's future identity or profession with ser.Tatoeba #1225847 by wallebot, translation #16262 by AlanF_US
- Tengo una reunión importante mañana. ¿Usted es el jefe de departamento?I have an important meeting tomorrow. Are you the department head?
- La conferencia comienza a las 9 a.m. ¿Son ustedes los oradores principales?The conference starts at 9 a.m. Are you the main speakers?
- ¿El profesor es estricto?Is the teacher strict?
- Hola, ¿cómo estás? Soy Juan.Hi, how are you? I'm Juan.
- ¿Es ella tu hermana?Is she your sister?
- Somos amigos desde la infancia.We have been friends since childhood.
- Vos sos muy inteligente.You are very smart.
- 1251 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
María and Alejandro are talking about their future career goals.
- María¿Qué quieres ser en el futuro?What do you want to be in the future?
- AlejandroQuiero ser un gran arquitecto.I want to be a great architect.
- MaríaYo voy a ser profesora de español.I am going to be a Spanish teacher.
- Alejandro¡Esa es una meta excelente, María!That is an excellent goal, Maria!
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry ser, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ser, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
