B2 · Upper intermediate

Ser and estar: advanced use

Adjectives that change meaning with ser/estar, and the fixed expressions 'estar de' and 'ser de'.

Adjectives that change meaning

With a small group of adjectives, the meaning changes completely depending on whether you use ser or estar. As a general rule: ser describes an inherent trait, estar a temporary state or perception.

Woordser + adjestar + adj
listoslim, intelligentklaar
ricorijklekker (van smaak)
aburridosaai (persoon/ding)zich vervelen
maloslecht (van karakter/kwaliteit)ziek / niet lekker (smaak)
verdegroen (kleur)onrijp / onervaren
orgullosohoogmoedig, verwaandtrots (op iets)
seguroveiligzeker, overtuigd

Examples

Mi hermana es muy lista.My sister is very smart.
La cena ya está lista.Dinner is ready.
Este restaurante es muy rico. — Esta sopa está muy rica.This soup is very tasty.
Ese plátano está verde todavía.That banana is still unripe.

More examples in context

These meaning-changing adjectives are extremely common in everyday conversation. The difference often lies in a permanent character trait versus a temporary state.

Examples

Juan es muy aburrido, siempre habla de lo mismo.Juan is very boring, he always talks about the same thing.
Estoy aburrido, no hay nada que hacer.I'm bored, there's nothing to do.
Es un chico orgulloso, cree que siempre tiene razón.He's an arrogant guy, he thinks he's always right.
Estoy muy orgullosa de mi hija.I'm very proud of my daughter.

Ser/estar + participle used as an adjective

A past participle can function as a regular adjective after ser or estar, without necessarily forming the passive voice. The same principles apply as with other adjectives: ser for a lasting characteristic, estar for a state.

Examples

Es una persona muy educada.He/she is a very well-mannered person.
Está muy cansado después del viaje.He is very tired after the trip.
Es un tema muy complicado.It's a very complicated subject.

Fixed expressions with 'estar de'

Estar de + noun forms numerous fixed expressions describing a temporary situation or activity.

Examples

Estamos de vacaciones en la playa.We are on vacation at the beach.
Estoy de acuerdo contigo.I agree with you.
Esa canción está de moda ahora.That song is trendy right now.
No te enfades, estaba de broma.Don't get mad, I was joking.

Fixed expressions with 'ser de'

Ser de + noun expresses origin, material or ownership — all lasting, inherent characteristics.

Examples

Soy de Bélgica.I'm from Belgium.
La mesa es de madera.The table is made of wood.
Este libro es de Juan.This book belongs to Juan.

💡 Tips

💡
Mnemonic: SER = permanent/identity, ESTAR = temporary/state. With 'rico', 'listo', 'malo'... this helps you pick the right meaning.
💡
'Ser rico' means to be wealthy; never say 'el restaurante es rico' for good food — use 'está rico' for tasty food.
💡
'Ser de' = origin/material/ownership; 'estar de' = temporary activity or role (on vacation, in agreement, trendy).

🎯 Practise this topic with 10 interactive exercises (10)

Related grammar

The imperfect subjunctive
How to form the imperfect subjunctive and use it after past-tense main clauses, after 'como si', and in polite requests.
The pluperfect subjunctive
How to form hubiera/hubiese + past participle and use it for unreal past situations and regret.
Subjunctive in concessive and purpose clauses
When 'aunque' takes the indicative or the subjunctive, and how to correctly use para que, con tal de que, a menos que and sin que.
Sequence of tenses (correlación de tiempos) with the subjunctive
Which subjunctive tense in the subordinate clause matches which tense in the main clause.

← The passive voice (voz pasiva)Verbs with fixed prepositions (régimen preposicional) →

Want to really master this?

Create a free account: placement test, personal learning path, exercises with instant feedback, pronunciation and a real teacher following your progress.

Start for free 📅 Book a trial lesson with Yohana on Preply