Ser Conjugation: Present, Preterite, Imperfect
ser — to be (identity, essence, permanent traits)
Ser is the most-used verb in Spanish — and one of the most irregular. Instead of memorizing an endless list, learn the three tenses that cover 90% of conversation, say the forms out loud, and drill them with a coach that corrects you mid-sentence.
Quick answer
Yo soy.
I am.
Present "yo" form. Full present: soy, eres, es, somos, sois, son. Preterite is irregular and identical to ir: fui, fuiste, fue, fuimos, fuisteis, fueron.
ser — Present
Identity, origin, profession, permanent traits: 'Soy profesor' — I am a teacher.
| Pronoun | Spanish form |
|---|---|
| yo | soy |
| tú | eres |
| él / ella / usted | es |
| nosotros | somos |
| vosotros | sois |
| ellos / ustedes | son |
ser — Preterite (past, completed)
Completed past identity or existence: 'Fue un buen día' — it was a good day.
| Pronoun | Spanish form |
|---|---|
| yo | fui |
| tú | fuiste |
| él / ella / usted | fue |
| nosotros | fuimos |
| vosotros | fuisteis |
| ellos / ustedes | fueron |
ser — Imperfect (past, ongoing)
Background description in the past: 'Era joven' — he/she was young.
| Pronoun | Spanish form |
|---|---|
| yo | era |
| tú | eras |
| él / ella / usted | era |
| nosotros | éramos |
| vosotros | erais |
| ellos / ustedes | eran |
Ser vs estar in one line
Ser is what something IS (identity: soy alto — I am tall). Estar is how something IS right now (state: estoy cansado — I am tired). If it can change by tonight, use estar.
Example sentences
Soy de Canadá.
I am from Canada.
sohm deh kah-nah-DAH
Era la una cuando llegué.
It was one o'clock when I arrived.
EH-rah lah OOH-nah KWAHN-doh teh-GHEH
Fue un placer conocerte.
It was a pleasure meeting you.
fweh oon plah-SEHR koh-noh-SEHR-teh
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More Spanish verb conjugations
estar — to be (state, location, feelings)
Yo estoy. · Present / Preterite / Imperfect
tener — to have
Yo tengo. · Present / Preterite / Imperfect
ir — to go
Yo voy. · Present / Preterite / Imperfect
hacer — to do, to make
Yo hago. · Present / Preterite / Imperfect
decir — to say, to tell
Yo digo. · Present / Preterite / Imperfect
poder — to be able to, can
Yo puedo. · Present / Preterite / Imperfect
querer — to want; to love (people)
Yo quiero. · Present / Preterite / Imperfect
haber — to have (auxiliary); there is/are
Hay. · Present / Preterite / Imperfect