The Difference Between “Ser” and “Estar” in Brazilian Portuguese
03 Aug, 2013
In Portuguese, there are two verbs that can be translated as “to be“. These two verbs are ser and estar.
To address temporary condition, use estar. Estar is an irregular verb. It does not follow the standard rules of conjugation for regular -ar verbs. Therefore, you must memorize it.
eu estou
tu estás
ele/ela/você está
nós estamos
vós estais
eles/elas/vocês estão
Examples:
■ Estou com fome – I am hungry.
■ Ele está doente –He is sick
■ Estamos atrasados para reunião – We’re late for the meeting.
■ Eles estão com sede- They are thirsty
■ Eles estão no Brasil -They’re in Brazil.
ESTAR is also used for location (Eu estou na sua casa- I am at your house), emotions (Eu estou triste – I am sad) and temporary physical states, and with the progressive tenses (Eu estou andando rápido – I am walking fast).
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SER
The verb ser is used for conditions or characteristics that are permanent, possession, time, and impersonal expressions. Ser is also irregular and must be memorized.
eu sou
tu és
ele/ela/você é
nós somos
vós sois
eles/elas/vocês são
Examples:
■ Eu sou portuguesa – I am Portuguese.
■ A casa é neste bairro – The house is in this neighborhood.
■ É bom dançar – It’s good to dance. (Impersonal expression).
■ São quatro da tarde – It’s 4PM.
■ Meu nome é Dilma – My name is Dilma.
■ O sol é uma estrela – The sun is a star.
■ Eles são brasileiros – They are Brazilian.
■ Eu sou a mãe dele – I am his mother.
Comparing SER and ESTAR:
Eles são (third person plural of the verb ser) brasileiros (They are Brazilians) – They are Brazilian, born in Brazil, that’s a permanent characteristic, you can’t change the place you were born.
Eles estão (third person plural of the verb estar) no Brasil (They are in Brazil) – They are in Brazil, it’s a temporary situation, they can travel to another place at any time.
