What is 'ser/estar' called in English?

'ser/estar' in English is called "Be". Be refers to: Existir, ocurrir o permanecer en un estado o condición particular.

How do you pronounce 'Be' and 'ser/estar'?

Listen to clear English audio pronunciation of 'Be' and native Spanish audio speech for 'ser/estar' with bilingual sentence examples on DictBridge.

What is an example sentence for Be in Spanish?

English: "I want to be a good person." | Spanish: "Quiero ser una buena persona."

verb

English to Spanish Dictionary

be Meaning in Spanish (be significado en español)

ser, estar

Sinónimos:existirhaberpermanecer

ser/estar in English:be

Plural: none

Quick Answer • Resumen

El significado de be en español es ser, estar. (Existir, ocurrir o permanecer en un estado o condición particular.)

Usage Note: The Spanish translation of 'be' is complex, as it can translate to either 'ser' or 'estar' depending on the context. 'Ser' is generally used for inherent qualities, identity, origin, time, and events, while 'estar' is used for temporary states, location, conditions, and progressive tenses.

Definitions of Be

1
verb
ser/estar
To exist, occur, or remain in a particular state or condition.
Existir, ocurrir o permanecer en un estado o condición particular.
2
verb
ser
To identify with a particular role, characteristic, or identity.
Identificarse con un rol, característica o identidad particular.
3
verb
ser/estar
To function as an auxiliary verb, forming progressive tenses or the passive voice in conjunction with a main verb.
Funcionar como verbo auxiliar, formando tiempos progresivos o la voz pasiva en conjunción con un verbo principal.

Example Sentences

casual

“I want to be a good person.”

Quiero ser una buena persona.

business

“The meeting will be at 10 AM.”

La reunión será a las 10 AM.

casual

“She is being very careful.”

Ella está siendo muy cuidadosa.

Explore Vocabulary by Topic

Synonyms (Sinónimos)

In Spanish:

existirhaberpermanecer

In English:

exist live occur happen remain

Antonyms (Antónimos)

In Spanish:

desaparecermorir

In English:

cease stop disappear vanish

Inflected Word Forms

present tenseam

third person singularis

past tensewas

past participlebeen

present participlebeing

Phrases & Idiomatic Expressions

to be or not to beexpression

A philosophical question about existence and the choice between life and death.

to be honestexpression

Used to introduce a statement that expresses one's true opinion, even if it's critical or unpopular.

to be on timecollocation

To arrive or complete something at the scheduled or expected time.