New
New
How are you today and usually? 'Estar' for states and 'ser' for traits
I can say how I and others are today and usually using 'estar' and 'ser'.
Lesson 2 of 6
New
New
- Year 5
How are you today and usually? 'Estar' for states and 'ser' for traits
I can say how I and others are today and usually using 'estar' and 'ser'.
Lesson details
Vocabulary and transcripts for this lessons
Key learning points
- Using known words, cognates and context can help you decipher the meaning of unfamiliar words like a word detective.
- To ask someone who they are, use ¿quién eres?. To ask what they are like generally use ¿cómo eres?
- The verb 'ser' meaning 'to be, being' is used for general traits.
- The verb 'estar' meaning 'to be, being' is used for location and temporary states.
Keywords
Quién - question word meaning 'who'
Cómo - question word meaning 'how'
Estar - Spanish verb meaning 'to be, being' used for location and temporary states
Ser - Spanish verb meaning to be, being used for general traits
Common misconception
There is one verb for 'to be, being' as there is in English.
In Spanish, there are two verbs for 'to be, being': 'estar' is used for location and temporary states and 'ser' is used for general traits.
Additional practice of the two verbs 'estar' and 'ser' may be helpful to develop pupils' understanding of their different uses. Pupils could produce additional mini-fact files as in the lesson for themselves or fictional characters to practise ser, estar, quién and cómo.
Teacher tip
Equipment
Licence
This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2026), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Which word means 'silly'?
Which word means 'silly'?
creativo
negativo
perdido
activo
Q2.Which word means 'because'?
Which word means 'because'?
pero
y
o
cuando
Q3.Match the Spanish to the English.
Match the Spanish to the English.
Q4.Match the Spanish to the English
Match the Spanish to the English
Q5.Translate into English 'el perro está cansado'.
Translate into English 'el perro está cansado'.
Q6.Translate into Spanish 'the boy is happy but serious'.
Translate into Spanish 'the boy is happy but serious'.
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Match the Spanish to the English.
Match the Spanish to the English.
Q2.Match the Spanish to the English.
Match the Spanish to the English.
Q3.Which words could describe a feminine noun ('la')?
Which words could describe a feminine noun ('la')?
negativo
divertido
Q4.'I am very active but today I am tired.' Which is the best translation in Spanish?
'I am very active but today I am tired.' Which is the best translation in Spanish?
Estoy muy activo pero hoy estoy cansado.
Soy muy creativo pero hoy soy cansado.
Soy muy activo pero hoy soy cansado.
Estoy positivo pero hoy soy negativo.
Q5.'Solo estoy tranquilo el fin de semana.' Translate this sentence into English.
'Solo estoy tranquilo el fin de semana.' Translate this sentence into English.
Q6.Translate into Spanish 'I'm generally positive'.
Translate into Spanish 'I'm generally positive'.
