Ser vs Estar: The Two Verbs for "To Be"
Portuguese has two words for "to be" — and picking the wrong one is the single most common beginner mistake. Here is the rule that actually works.
What You will Learn
- Understand the core difference between "ser" and "estar"
- Conjugate both verbs in the present tense
- Apply the "permanent vs temporary" rule to real sentences
- Recognize the exceptions native speakers use automatically
The Simple Version of the Rule
Ser is for things that are relatively permanent or define what something is: identity, origin, profession, characteristics, time and dates.
Estar is for things that are temporary or describe a state or location: feelings, current condition, weather, where something currently is.
Quick Test
Ask yourself: "Will this still be true next year?" If yes, lean "ser." If it could change by tomorrow, lean "estar."
Conjugating Ser (Present Tense)
| Pronoun | Ser |
|---|---|
| eu (I) | sou |
| você (you) | é |
| ele/ela (he/she) | é |
| nós (we) | somos |
| eles/elas (they) | são |
| vocês (you all) | são |
Example: Eu sou professor. (I am a teacher.) — a profession, so it uses "ser."
In Brazilian Portuguese, "você" is the everyday word for "you" — it conjugates the same way as "ele/ela."
Conjugating Estar (Present Tense)
| Pronoun | Estar |
|---|---|
| eu (I) | estou |
| você (you) | está |
| ele/ela (he/she) | está |
| nós (we) | estamos |
| eles/elas (they) | estão |
| vocês (you all) | estão |
Example: Eu estou cansado. (I am tired.) — a temporary state, so it uses "estar."
Side by Side
| Sentence | Why |
|---|---|
| Ela é brasileira. (She is Brazilian.) | Origin — permanent |
| Ela está em Lisboa. (She is in Lisbon.) | Location — temporary |
| O café é forte. (The coffee is strong.) | Inherent characteristic |
| O café está frio. (The coffee is cold.) | Current state, changed from before |
The one famous exception: talking about death always uses "estar" — ele está morto — even though it sounds pretty permanent. Native speakers just accept this one as a quirk.
Practice What You Just Learned
- "I am happy today" (a mood, could change tomorrow) — ser or estar?
Show answer
Estar — "Eu estou feliz hoje."
- "She is a doctor" — ser or estar?
Show answer
Ser — "Ela é médica." Profession is treated as an identity.
- "The restaurant is closed" (right now, but usually open) — ser or estar?
Show answer
Estar — "O restaurante está fechado." A current, changeable state.
- "Today is Monday" — ser or estar?
Show answer
Ser — dates always use "ser": "Hoje é segunda-feira."