I can describe a person: what they're like in general (es alto, es simpática) and how they are today (está cansado, está contenta).
What a person is like — and how they are today
ser, estar, and tener for describing a person
English says “is tall” and “is tired” with the same verb. Spanish chooses between two.
ser + adjective says what a person is like in general: appearance and personality. Es alto. Es morena. Son muy simpáticos.
estar + adjective says how a person is right now: state, mood, health. Está cansado. Estoy contenta. Están enfermos. The word hoy often goes with it.
Appearance is also described with tener, and the article is required: Tiene el pelo largo. Tiene los ojos verdes. English “has long hair” has no article; Spanish always needs one.
The adjective agrees with the person: alto (he), alta (she), altos (they), altas (they, women).
Adjectives in -e don't change for gender: Miguel es alegre, Teresa es alegre (cheerful).
But adjectives in -or do add -a in the feminine: hablador → habladora.
False friends: largo means long, not large; simpático means nice, friendly, not sympathetic.
Common mistakes:
• NOT “Ella es cansada” (tired today) — correct: Ella está cansada.
• NOT “Está profesora” — correct: Es profesora.
• NOT “Ella es alto” — correct: Ella es alta.
• NOT “Tiene pelo largo” — correct: Tiene el pelo largo.
• NOT “Es enfermo hoy” — correct: Está enfermo hoy.
ser and estar: the forms side by side
ser says what a person is like in general; estar — how they feel today.
| Person | ser — in general | estar — right now |
|---|---|---|
| yo | soy | estoy |
| tú | eres | estás |
| él · ella · usted | es | está |
| nosotros · nosotras | somos | estamos |
| vosotros · vosotras | sois | estáis |
| ellos · ellas · ustedes | son | están |
Lesson notes
ser, estar, and tener for describing a person
English says “is tall” and “is tired” with the same verb. Spanish chooses between two.
ser + adjective says what a person is like in general: appearance and personality. Es alto. Es morena. Son muy simpáticos.
estar + adjective says how a person is right now: state, mood, health. Está cansado. Estoy contenta. Están enfermos. The word hoy often goes with it.
Appearance is also described with tener, and the article is required: Tiene el pelo largo. Tiene los ojos verdes. English “has long hair” has no article; Spanish always needs one.
The adjective agrees with the person: alto (he), alta (she), altos (they), altas (they, women).
Adjectives in -e don't change for gender: Miguel es alegre, Teresa es alegre (cheerful).
But adjectives in -or do add -a in the feminine: hablador → habladora.
False friends: largo means long, not large; simpático means nice, friendly, not sympathetic.
Common mistakes:
• NOT “Ella es cansada” (tired today) — correct: Ella está cansada.
• NOT “Está profesora” — correct: Es profesora.
• NOT “Ella es alto” — correct: Ella es alta.
• NOT “Tiene pelo largo” — correct: Tiene el pelo largo.
• NOT “Es enfermo hoy” — correct: Está enfermo hoy.