Due to its complexity and the different uses in Spanish, we have dedicated a special section on the Verb "To be"  that it has in Spanish, such as the verbs "Ser", "Estar" and "Haber".

The following charts will guide you through the most common uses of the verb "To be", explaining the differences between Ser, Estar  Haber and Tener.

            Uses of the verb Ser

            Uses of the verb Estar

            Uses of the verb Haber

 

 

• Uses of the verb "Ser"

When to use it	Example
1.        To identify a person or an object.	Yo soy María.
	I am Maria.
2.        To express inherent qualities or characteristics like appearances, character, size, color, material, state of being.	María es bonita.
	Maria is beautiful.
3.        To express belonging, religion, nationality, occupation or origin.	María es mexicana.
	Maria is Mexican.
4.        To tell time.	Es la una de la tarde.
	It is one pm.
5.        To express ownership.	El coche es de María.
	It is Maria's car.
6.        To mean to take place.	La fiesta es mañana.
	The party is tomorrow.
7.        Impersonal expressions.	Comer es bueno.
	It is good to eat.

 

                                Verb "Ser" conjugation chart

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• Uses of the verb "Estar"

When to use it	Example
1.        To identify location or position.	La escuela está en la calle principal.
	The school is on main street.
2.        To express temporary or variable condition or state.	El libro está abierto.
	The book is open.
3.        To express state of health.	La señora está bien.
	The lady is OK.
4.        To form the progressive tenses.	María está comiendo.
	Maria is eating.
5.        To express the result of a previous action + past participle.	La tarea está terminada.
	The homework is done.

 

                                Verb "Estar" conjugation chart

Present Indicative Tense
Pronouns	Estar
Yo	estoy
Tú	estás
Él / Ella/ Usted	está
Nosotros	estamos
Ustedes / Ellos / Ellas	están

 

Verb "Estar" complete conjugation chart.

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• Uses of the verb "Haber" (auxiliary verb)

When to use it	Example
1.  To show the existence of something. Usually uses the impersonal form "hay" which means "there is" or "there are".	Hay un lápiz en la mesa.
	There is a pencil on the table.
2.  Haber is the auxiliary verb for compound tenses.    Verb "Haber" as auxiliary in compound tenses    Verb "Haber" complete conjugation chart.	Yo he comido.          I have eaten.