4.2.7
'Ser' or 'Estar' (1/2)
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'Ser' or 'Estar'
Using the wrong verb can change the meaning of a phrase. You have to be careful when selecting which verb to use.

Estar abierto
- The phrase ‘to be open’ in Spanish is 'estar abierto/a' when you talk about things.
- La puerta está abierta.
- The door is open.

Ser abierto
- With 'ser', the word 'open' talks about a person’s character.
- Chris es abierto.
- Chris is an open person.

Estar listo
- If you want to say that you are ready, you need to use ‘estar’.
- Estoy listo.
- I am ready.

Ser listo
- If you want to say that you are clever, you need to use ‘ser’.
- Soy listo.
- I am clever.
1You, Family & Home
1.1Introducing Yourself & Being Polite
1.2Looks & Personality
1.3My Family & I
1.4Days, Months & Time
2School & Jobs
3Free Time
4Grammar
4.2Important Irregular Verbs
4.3Regular Verbs in the Present Tense
4.4Verbs in the Immediate Future
4.5Negatives
4.6Nouns
4.7Adjectives
4.8Prepositions
4.9Questions
4.10Conjunctions
Jump to other topics
1You, Family & Home
1.1Introducing Yourself & Being Polite
1.2Looks & Personality
1.3My Family & I
1.4Days, Months & Time
2School & Jobs
3Free Time
4Grammar
4.2Important Irregular Verbs
4.3Regular Verbs in the Present Tense
4.4Verbs in the Immediate Future
4.5Negatives
4.6Nouns
4.7Adjectives
4.8Prepositions
4.9Questions
4.10Conjunctions
Practice questions on 'Ser' or 'Estar' (1/2)
Can you answer these? Test yourself with free interactive practice on Seneca — used by over 10 million students.
- 1What would you say about this door in Spanish?Multiple choice
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