Ser vs Estar in Spanish: Using estar (and not ser) to express relationship statuses

Written by qualified Spanish expert Silvia Piriz BA
Last updated: 2024-05-02
29 questions

Estar for relationship statuses

When you are talking about relationship statuses in Spanish, you need to use the verb estar and not ser.

Read and listen to these examples:

Yo estoy casada con un chico millonario.I am married to a millionaire guy.

Joaquín va a estar soltero toda la vida.Joaquín is going to be single all his life.

Mis padres están divorciados desde 2007.My parents are divorced since 2007.

Nosotros estábamos separados antes.We were separated before.

Tu novia y tú habéis estado comprometidos hasta este año.Your girlfriend and you have been engaged until this year.

Mi abuela Sagrario está viuda.My grandmother Sagrario is a widow.

See also Ser vs Estar in Spanish: Using ser in Spanish (not estar) to describe relationships

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Examples and resources

Yo estoy casada con un chico millonario.I am married to a millionaire guy.
Mis padres están divorciados desde 2007.My parents are divorced since 2007.
Nosotros estábamos separados antes.We were separated before.
Tu novia y tú habéis estado comprometidos hasta este año.Your girlfriend and you have been engaged until this year.
Mi abuela Sagrario está viuda.My grandmother Sagrario is a widow.
Joaquín va a estar soltero toda la vida.Joaquín is going to be single all his life.
Ser vs Estar in Spanish: Using estar (and not ser) to express relationship statuses
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