El verbo SER
These notes on Spanish grammar cover how to use the verb 'SER' (to be) and are accompanied by a video and interactive exercises. For SER in the past tense please click on the link at the bottom of the page.
The Spanish verb SER means "to be". But there are two verbs meaning "to be" in Spanish - SER and ESTAR.
SER is used primarily in situations to imply permanence, equivalence, characteristics, origin, nature, identity and possession ("My apple IS bigger than his", "Quito IS in Ecuador", "Ice IS cold", "He IS French", "This car IS mine".
SER is an irregular verb. You just need to memorize the form that goes with each pronoun.
| Pronoun | Present Tense Verb Form |
|---|---|
| Yo | soy |
| Tú | eres |
| Él, Ella, Usted | es |
| Nosotros, Nosotras | somos |
| Vosotros, vosotras | sois |
| Ellos, Ellas, Ustedes | son |
Here are some examples in Spanish of the common uses of the verb SER:
La alumna es colombiana. - The student is Colombian.
El sol es caliente. - The sun is hot
Estos autos son rápidos. - These cars are fast.
Nosotros somos los primeros en llegar. - We are the first to arrive.
Los zapatos son mios. - The shoes are mine.
Tú eres muy inteligente. - You are very intelligent.
Yo soy un niño. - I am a boy.
Use Ser to tell the time: "Son las nueve de la mañana." - It is 9.00 in the morning.
Use Ser for the passive voice: "El lápiz es usado para escribir." - The pencil is used for writing
Use Ser in impersonal statements: "Es importante no olvidar." - It is important not to forget.
Use Ser for the location of an event: La presentación es en el museo. - The presentation is in the musuem. (note that ESTAR is used for direct statements of location - "el museo está al lado del parque")
Spanish grammar: the verb SER. Another free Spanish grammar video from 121Spanish
1. Las muchachas
parte del grupo de cantantes.
2. Alex y yo
amigos de la escuela.
3. ¿Quien
la nueva profesora de Literatura?.
4. Yo
de Manchester en Inglaterra.
5. Este libro
de la hermana de Luis.
6. Vosotros
amigos de mis padres.
7. ¿Cuándo
tu cumpleaños?
8. Nosotros no
los guitarristas de este grupo.
9. ¿Ustedes
los dueños de estos autos?
10. Mis mejores amigos no
amantes del fútbol.
Note: Try to use the correct written accents if you can e.g.: á, é, í, ó, ú, ñ, ü.
If you don't know the correct answer, type '?' to reveal it.
1. Yo
María.
2. ¿Tú
de Paraguay?
3. Él
boliviano.
4. Ella
chilena.
5. Nosotras
amigas.
6. Nosotros
perezosas (ellos).
7. Vosotros
alumnos ambiciosos.
8. Ellos
muy simpáticos.
9. Ellas
muy antipáticas.
Forms of the verb SER in Spanish. How to conjugate the verb SER. Present tense forms of the verb SER. Comparisons of SER and ESTAR.
Click here for a the verb SER in the preterite and imperfect tenses.
Click here for a comparison of SER and ESTAR.
Click here for to learn about the verb ESTAR.
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