Are you confused about when to use “son” and “están” in Spanish? You’re not alone. These two words can be tricky to differentiate, but fear not! In this article, we’ll explore the differences between “son” and “están” and provide you with a clear understanding of when to use each.
First things first, “son” and “están” are both forms of the verb “to be” in Spanish. However, they are used in different contexts and have slightly different meanings.
“Son” is the third person plural form of the verb “to be” and is used to describe permanent or inherent characteristics of a person, place, or thing. For example, “Ellos son altos” (They are tall) or “Las manzanas son rojas” (The apples are red).
“Están,” on the other hand, is the third person plural form of the verb “to be” and is used to describe temporary or changing conditions of a person, place, or thing. For example, “Ellos están en la playa” (They are at the beach) or “Las manzanas están maduras” (The apples are ripe).
It’s important to note that while “son” and “están” are both forms of the verb “to be,” they cannot be used interchangeably. Using the wrong form can lead to confusion or miscommunication.
Now that we have a clear understanding of what “son” and “están” mean and when to use them, let’s dive deeper into some examples and explore their usage in context.
Define Son
Son is a form of the verb “ser” in Spanish. It is used to indicate a permanent or inherent quality of a person, place, or thing. Son is used to describe the characteristics that define someone or something, such as nationality, profession, or physical appearance. It is also used to express relationships, possession, and time.
For example, “Mi hermano y yo somos altos” means “My brother and I are tall.” In this sentence, “somos” is the first person plural form of “ser” and “altos” is the masculine plural form of “alto.” The verb “somos” agrees with the subject “mi hermano y yo” and indicates that being tall is a permanent characteristic of both individuals.
Define Estan
Están is a form of the verb “estar” in Spanish. It is used to indicate a temporary or changing state of a person, place, or thing. Están is used to describe the location, condition, or emotion of someone or something at a specific moment in time. It is also used to express actions in progress or to describe a situation that is subject to change.
For example, “Los libros están encima de la mesa” means “The books are on top of the table.” In this sentence, “están” is the third person plural form of “estar” and “encima de la mesa” is a prepositional phrase that indicates the location of the books. The verb “están” agrees with the subject “los libros” and indicates that the location of the books is temporary and subject to change.
How To Properly Use The Words In A Sentence
When it comes to using Spanish verbs, it can be difficult to determine which ones to use in a sentence. Two commonly confused verbs are “son” and “están.” It’s important to understand the differences between these two verbs in order to use them correctly in your writing and speaking.
How To Use “Son” In A Sentence
“Son” is the third-person plural form of the verb “ser,” which means “to be.” This verb is used to describe permanent or long-lasting characteristics of a person, place, or thing. Here are some examples:
- Los perros son animales domésticos. (Dogs are domestic animals.)
- Mi hermana y yo somos altas. (My sister and I are tall.)
- El cielo es azul. (The sky is blue.)
Notice how “son” is used to describe a permanent characteristic of the subject. In the first example, dogs are always domestic animals. In the second example, the speaker and their sister are always tall. In the third example, the sky is always blue (at least during the day).
How To Use “Están” In A Sentence
“Están” is the third-person plural form of the verb “estar,” which also means “to be.” However, “estar” is used to describe temporary or changing characteristics of a person, place, or thing. Here are some examples:
- Los perros están durmiendo. (The dogs are sleeping.)
- Mi hermana y yo estamos cansadas. (My sister and I are tired.)
- El cielo está nublado. (The sky is cloudy.)
Notice how “están” is used to describe a temporary state of the subject. In the first example, the dogs are not always sleeping, they are just sleeping at that moment. In the second example, the speaker and their sister are not always tired, just at that moment. In the third example, the sky is not always cloudy, just at that moment.
By understanding the differences between “son” and “están,” you can use these verbs correctly in your writing and speaking. Remember, “son” is used to describe permanent characteristics, while “están” is used to describe temporary characteristics.
More Examples Of Son & Estan Used In Sentences
In order to fully understand the difference between “son” and “estan,” it’s important to see them used in context. Here are some examples of how both words can be used in sentences:
Examples Of Using “Son” In A Sentence
- “Los perros son animales domésticos.” (Dogs are domestic animals.)
- “Mis amigos son muy divertidos.” (My friends are very funny.)
- “Las manzanas son rojas o verdes.” (Apples are red or green.)
- “Los niños son muy juguetones.” (Children are very playful.)
- “Las flores son hermosas en primavera.” (Flowers are beautiful in spring.)
- “Mi abuela y mi abuelo son muy cariñosos.” (My grandma and grandpa are very affectionate.)
- “Los libros son una fuente de conocimiento.” (Books are a source of knowledge.)
- “Los gatos son animales independientes.” (Cats are independent animals.)
- “Los pájaros son seres vivos que vuelan.” (Birds are living beings that fly.)
- “La música y el baile son importantes en mi cultura.” (Music and dance are important in my culture.)
Examples Of Using “Estan” In A Sentence
- “Los zapatos están debajo de la cama.” (The shoes are under the bed.)
- “Mis amigos están en el cine.” (My friends are at the movie theater.)
- “Los niños están jugando en el parque.” (The children are playing in the park.)
- “Las flores están marchitas.” (The flowers are withered.)
- “Los platos están sucios en el fregadero.” (The dishes are dirty in the sink.)
- “Los libros están en la biblioteca.” (The books are in the library.)
- “Los gatos están durmiendo en el sofá.” (The cats are sleeping on the couch.)
- “Los pájaros están cantando en el jardín.” (The birds are singing in the garden.)
- “Las hojas están cayendo de los árboles en otoño.” (The leaves are falling from the trees in autumn.)
- “La comida está lista en la cocina.” (The food is ready in the kitchen.)
Common Mistakes To Avoid
When it comes to using Spanish verbs, one of the most common mistakes people make is using “son” and “están” interchangeably. While these two verbs may seem similar, they have distinct meanings and should not be used interchangeably. Here are some common mistakes to avoid when using “son” and “están” in your Spanish conversations:
Mistake #1: Using “Son” To Describe Temporary States
One of the most common mistakes people make is using “son” to describe temporary states. For example, saying “Los plátanos son verdes” to describe green bananas is incorrect because the green color is a temporary state that will eventually change as the bananas ripen. The correct verb to use in this case is “están,” which describes a temporary state or condition. The correct sentence would be “Los plátanos están verdes.”
Mistake #2: Using “Están” To Describe Permanent States
Conversely, another common mistake is using “están” to describe permanent states. For example, saying “Mi hermana está alta” to describe your sister’s height is incorrect because height is a permanent state that does not change. The correct verb to use in this case is “es,” which describes a permanent state or characteristic. The correct sentence would be “Mi hermana es alta.”
Mistake #3: Forgetting To Consider Context
Another mistake people make is forgetting to consider the context in which the verb is being used. For example, saying “Las manzanas están rojas” to describe red apples is correct if the apples are currently ripe and ready to eat. However, if the apples are being used to make a pie, the correct verb to use would be “son” because the red color is a permanent characteristic of the apples. Always consider the context in which the verb is being used to determine the correct form to use.
Tips To Avoid These Mistakes
To avoid making these common mistakes, it’s important to practice using “son” and “están” correctly in context. Here are some tips to help you avoid these mistakes:
- Think about whether the state or condition is temporary or permanent.
- Consider the context in which the verb is being used.
- Practice using both “son” and “están” in context to reinforce their proper usage.
By following these tips and paying close attention to the context in which you’re using “son” and “están,” you can avoid these common mistakes and improve your Spanish language skills.
Context Matters
When it comes to choosing between the Spanish verbs “son” and “están,” context is key. Both verbs translate to “are” in English, but they have different meanings and uses depending on the situation.
Usage Of Son
“Son” is the third person plural form of the verb “ser,” which is used to describe permanent or long-lasting characteristics of people, places, or things. It is also used to express identity, origin, or possession. Here are some examples:
- “Los niños son inteligentes.” (The children are intelligent.)
- “Mi casa y mi coche son rojos.” (My house and my car are red.)
- “Somos de México.” (We are from Mexico.)
As you can see, “son” is used to describe qualities that are considered to be inherent or unchanging.
Usage Of Están
“Están” is the third person plural form of the verb “estar,” which is used to describe temporary or changing characteristics of people, places, or things. It is also used to express location or condition. Here are some examples:
- “Los niños están cansados.” (The children are tired.)
- “Mi casa y mi coche están sucios.” (My house and my car are dirty.)
- “Estamos en el cine.” (We are at the cinema.)
As you can see, “están” is used to describe qualities that are considered to be temporary or changeable.
Contextual Examples
Here are some examples of how the choice between “son” and “están” might change depending on the context:
| Context | Example | Correct Verb |
|---|---|---|
| Physical Appearance | Las manzanas (are) verdes. | Son |
| Taste of Food | Las manzanas (are) deliciosas. | Están |
| Location | Mis amigos (are) en la playa. | Están |
| Nationality | Mis amigos (are) mexicanos. | Son |
As you can see, the choice between “son” and “están” depends on the specific context in which they are used. It’s important to pay attention to the meaning you want to convey in order to choose the correct verb.
Exceptions To The Rules
While the general rules for using “son” and “estan” are straightforward, there are some exceptions to these rules that are important to keep in mind.
1. Location Vs. State
One of the main exceptions is when talking about location versus state. In this case, “estar” is used to indicate location, while “ser” is used to indicate state. For example:
- “La biblioteca está en la calle principal.” (The library is on Main Street.)
- “La biblioteca es un lugar tranquilo.” (The library is a peaceful place.)
In the first sentence, “estar” is used to indicate the location of the library. In the second sentence, “ser” is used to indicate the state or nature of the library.
2. Temporary Conditions
Another exception is when talking about temporary conditions. In this case, “estar” is used to indicate a temporary condition, while “ser” is used to indicate a more permanent condition. For example:
- “Hoy estoy enfermo.” (Today I am sick.)
- “Soy un estudiante de medicina.” (I am a medical student.)
In the first sentence, “estar” is used to indicate a temporary condition of being sick. In the second sentence, “ser” is used to indicate a more permanent condition of being a medical student.
3. Idiomatic Expressions
Finally, there are some idiomatic expressions in Spanish that require the use of “ser” or “estar” regardless of the general rules. For example:
| Expression | Translation | Verb Used |
|---|---|---|
| Tener sed | To be thirsty | Estar |
| Tener hambre | To be hungry | Estar |
| Tener frío | To be cold | Estar |
| Tener calor | To be hot | Estar |
| Ser de | To be from | Ser |
As shown in the table above, expressions like “tener sed” (to be thirsty) and “tener hambre” (to be hungry) require the use of “estar” regardless of the general rules. Similarly, the expression “ser de” (to be from) requires the use of “ser”.
Practice Exercises
To improve your understanding and usage of son and estan in sentences, it is essential to practice. Here are some practice exercises that will help you:
Exercise 1: Choose The Correct Form
Choose the correct form of son or estan to complete each sentence.
| Sentence | Answer |
|---|---|
| Los niños ______ en el parque. | están |
| Mi hermana y yo _______ altas. | somos |
| ¿Dónde _______ mis zapatos? | están |
| Ellos ________ muy cansados hoy. | están |
| Yo ________ feliz con mi trabajo. | soy |
Exercise 2: Complete The Sentence
Complete each sentence with the correct form of son or estan.
- Los estudiantes __________ en la clase de español.
- ¿Dónde ___________ mis llaves?
- Mis amigos y yo __________ en el cine.
- Yo ___________ muy emocionado por mi viaje a España.
- ¿Quiénes ___________ los nuevos empleados?
Answer Key:
- están
- están
- estamos
- estoy
- son
Practice these exercises regularly to improve your understanding and usage of son and estan. Remember, son is used for permanent characteristics, while estan is used for temporary states or locations.
Conclusion
In conclusion, understanding the difference between “ser” and “estar” is crucial for mastering the Spanish language. These two verbs may seem interchangeable, but they have distinct meanings and uses that can greatly impact the accuracy and clarity of your communication.
Some key takeaways from this article include:
- “Ser” is used for permanent or inherent qualities, while “estar” is used for temporary or changing conditions.
- “Ser” is used for nationality, profession, and other defining characteristics, while “estar” is used for location, feelings, and health.
- Using the wrong verb can lead to confusion or even offense in certain contexts.
By continuing to study and practice grammar and language use, you can improve your proficiency in Spanish and communicate more effectively with native speakers. Whether you are a beginner or an advanced learner, there is always more to learn and discover about this rich and diverse language.
Shawn Manaher is the founder and CEO of The Content Authority. He’s one part content manager, one part writing ninja organizer, and two parts leader of top content creators. You don’t even want to know what he calls pancakes.