Master the essential verb "ser" to describe who people are, where they're from, and their permanent qualities.
By the end of this chapter, you will be able to:
¡Hola de nuevo! In the last chapter, you got a sneak peek at the verb 'ser' (to be). This is one of the most important verbs in Spanish, and in this chapter, we will focus on its present tense conjugation and how to use it to describe fundamental aspects of who people are and where they are from. Get ready to build more complex and informative sentences!
(Optional Review): Can you recall the singular personal pronouns (yo, tú, él, ella, usted) we learned in Chapter 5? We will be using them to conjugate 'ser'!
Here is the full present tense conjugation of the verb ser (to be):
| Pronoun | Conjugation | English Translation |
|---|---|---|
| yo | soy | I am |
| tú | eres | you are (informal) |
| él | es | he is |
| ella | es | she is |
| usted | es | you are (formal) |
| nosotros/as | somos | we are |
| vosotros/as | sois | you are (informal, plural - primarily Spain) |
| ellos/as | son | they are |
| ustedes | son | you are (formal, plural / informal plural in Latin America) |
Pronunciation Tip: Pay attention to the stress in each form. Most forms stress the first syllable (soy, eres, es, somos, sois, son).
To say where someone is from (their origin or nationality), you use "ser" + "de" + place.
To say what someone's profession or identity is, you use "ser" + profession/identity (usually without an indefinite article like "a" or "an" in English, unless further description is provided).
"Ser" is used to describe inherent or relatively permanent qualities, such as physical descriptions, personality traits, and general characteristics.
Practice conjugating "ser" and using it in sentences.
Import Chapter 6 Flashcards(Requires login to import/study)
Instructions: Draw a line (mentally or on paper) to match the Spanish pronoun on the left with the correct present tense conjugation of "ser" on the right.
yo ( ) son
tú ( ) somos
él ( ) eres
ella ( ) soy
usted ( ) es
nosotros/as ( ) es
ellos/as ( ) sois
ustedes ( ) son
vosotros/as ( ) esAnswer Key:
yo → soy
tú → eres
él → es
ella → es
usted → es
nosotros/as → somos
ellos/as → son
ustedes → son
vosotros/as → soisInstructions: Choose the sentence that correctly uses "ser" to express the given meaning (correct answer bolded in key).
Answer Key:
Instructions: Fill in the blank with the correct present tense conjugation of "ser."
Answer Key:
Instructions: Write three original Spanish sentences using "ser" to describe:
(No answer key - practice creating sentences)
Instructions: Translate the following English sentences into Spanish using "ser."
Answer Key:
Instructions: In pairs, take turns asking and answering questions using "ser."
Student A: "¿De dónde eres?" (Where are you from?)
Student B: "Soy de [country/city]."
Student A: "¿Qué eres?" (What are you? - profession/identity)
Student B: "Soy [profession/identity]."Continue the conversation by asking for and giving descriptions using "ser" + adjective (e.g., "¿Cómo eres?" - What are you like? "Soy [adjective]").
Instructions: One person thinks of a famous person and gives clues about their nationality, profession, or a permanent characteristic using "ser." The other person tries to guess who it is.
Example:
Student A: "Él es de España. Él es un actor."
Student B: "¿Es Antonio Banderas?"Instructions: Role-play introducing yourselves and others in both formal and informal situations, paying attention to the correct use of "tú/usted" and the corresponding "ser" conjugation.
Scenario 1 (Informal): Introduce yourself to a new classmate and ask where they are from and what they study.
Scenario 2 (Formal): Introduce yourself to a guest speaker and mention your profession. Ask where they are from.
When introducing yourself and others in Spanish-speaking cultures, the information you share using 'ser' often reflects aspects considered central to identity. Stating your nationality (Soy de...), your profession (Soy estudiante, Él es profesor), and even describing inherent personality traits (Ella es simpática) are common and natural parts of initial interactions. This reflects the importance placed on understanding these fundamental aspects of a person.
Furthermore, the distinction between formal (usted) and informal (tú) address, which we touched upon earlier, is closely linked to the use of 'ser.' You would typically use 'usted' with someone you address formally, such as an elder or someone in a position of authority, and thus use the 'es' conjugation of 'ser' with that pronoun. This highlights the cultural emphasis on respect and social hierarchy in many Spanish-speaking societies.
Notice that when stating professions or identities with 'ser' (e.g., Soy estudiante), the indefinite articles ('un,' 'una') are generally omitted. This is different from English ('I am a student'). This linguistic difference can offer a subtle insight into how these roles are perceived – perhaps as more inherent to one's identity rather than just one of many temporary states.
Present tense forms of ser: soy, eres, es, somos, sois, son.
Using "ser" for origin/nationality (ser de...), professions/identities, and permanent characteristics.
Can you correctly conjugate "ser" for all subject pronouns? Can you use "ser" appropriately in sentences describing origin, identity, and permanent traits?
The next chapter will focus on the verb estar (to be - temporary states and location) and contrast it with 'ser'.