When you start learning Spanish, one thing quickly stands out: there isn’t just one verb for “to be” — there are actually two! They’re called ser and estar.

For English speakers, this can be one of the first tricky points. In English, you always use the same verb, but in Spanish, you have to choose between two depending on the situation.

For example, you might see sentences like: “Soy inglesa” or “Estoy cansado”.

In English, both just translate as “I am…,” but in Spanish, the verb you choose changes the meaning and the message you’re trying to convey.

So why two verbs?

It all comes down to the kind of information you want to share. Sometimes you’re talking about stable, permanent traits, and other times about temporary conditions or specific situations.

Think about it: saying “I’m tired” isn’t the same as saying “I’m English”. The first describes a temporary state, while the second describes a defining characteristic. Spanish shows this distinction with two verbs: ser and estar.

Knowing when to use each verb is key to speaking Spanish naturally and confidently, even from your very first conversations.

Looking for a full breakdown of when to use ser and estar? Check out our complete grammar guide.

And if you want to get some practice with this while building up your other Spanish basics, have a look at the ¡Ojalá! A1 course.