For example, estar aburrido vs. ser aburrido is the difference between being bored or being boring!

The very general rule of thumb is that we use SER + an adjective is for permanent, intrinsic characteristics while ESTAR is for temporary changes or changes that have come as the result of some kind of process. However, there are circumstances where it’s not 100% clear to non-native Spanish speakers how the meaning of some adjectives change when paired with SER or ESTAR.

For example, estar muerto vs. ser muerto. Muerto means “dead” and often English speakers have the tendency to want to use the verb ser with this adjective. However, when referring to the physical state of being dead, of being six feet under, you must use the verb estar. Ser (un) muerto means to be a bore, a dud.  Same deal with estar vivo (to be physically alive, as in living and breathing) vs. ser vivo (to be very clever, mentally bright, etc.)

There are some Spanish adjectives that can be paired with SER and ESTAR and not change meaning. Interestingly enough, they are adjectives that have to do with one’s relationship status. Adjectives such as casado (married), soltero (single) and viudo (widowed).  So regardless of whether somebody  “está casado” or “es casado,” they both mean the same thing – that the person is married.

There are a ton of these kinds of adjectives. That’s why I’ve put together a list of 33 of these Spanish adjectives, along with their different meanings, in one handy printout. You can get your copy of “Spanish Shapeshifters” by signing up for my email list in the righthand column of this blog. Don’t worry, it’s gratis.

Need a little help using these adjectives correctly? Check out the ReVerb Spanish page on Twitter  for examples of sentences using these different adjectives.