I am sorry, do you mean "ser" or "estar"?

30Min.
3,000 P
Zoom icon Lattep icon
Learning the two verbs "to be" in Portuguese!

Kursinhalt

 

One of the most challenging aspects of Portuguese is understanding when to use "ser" versus "estar" - both meaning "to be." This focused 30-minute lesson will demystify this essential distinction and give you the confidence to choose the right verb every time!

What will we cover in this lesson?

The Big Question: Why Two Verbs? (5 minutes) We will start by acknowledging the confusion that every Portuguese learner faces: "Wait, there are two ways to say 'to be'?!" I will explain the fundamental logic behind this distinction and show how Portuguese grammar can help you make very precise assertions.

SER: Permanent Identity & Characteristics (8 minutes) Learn when to use "SER" for:

  • Identity: "Eu sou professor" (I am a teacher)
  • Nationality: "Ela é portuguesa" (She is Portuguese)
  • Permanent characteristics: "Portugal é um país do sul da Europa" (Portugal is a southern European country)
  • Time and dates: "São três horas" (It's three o'clock)

We will practice the complete present tense conjugation: eu sou, tu és, ele/ela é, nós somos, vós sois, eles/elas são.

ESTAR: Temporary States & Location (8 minutes) Discover when to use "ESTAR" for:

  • Location: "Estou em casa" (I am at home)
  • Temporary states: "Estou cansado" (I am tired)
  • Ongoing conditions: "O café está quente" (The coffee is hot - right now)
  • Progressive tenses: "Estou a estudar" (I am studying)

We will master the conjugation: eu estou, tu estás, ele/ela está, nós estamos, vós estais, eles/elas estão.

Quick Practice & Common Mistakes (6 minutes) Through a few examples, you will practice choosing between "ser" and "estar" in real situations. I will highlight the most common mistakes that learners make and give you memory tricks to avoid them:

  • "Sou feliz" vs "Estou feliz" - the difference between being a happy person and feeling happy right now

Cultural Moment: "Estou Além" by António Variações (3 minutes) We'll conclude by listening to this iconic Portuguese song by the legendary António Variações. This will help you:

  • Hear "estar" used naturally in context
  • Experience authentic Portuguese pronunciation and rhythm
  • Connect with Portuguese culture through music
  • Notice how the verb "estar" conveys the temporary, emotional state that the song expresses

What you will need:

  • Familiarity with simple present tense concepts
  • A notebook for examples and notes

By the end of this lesson, you will have a clear mental framework for choosing between "ser" and "estar" - turning one of Portuguese's most difficult challenges into one of your strengths!

Ready to master the two faces of "to be"? Let's solve this puzzle together!

Cafetalk Rücktrittsregelung

Vor der Bestätigung einer Kursbuchung

  • Stornierung jederzeit möglich

Nach der Bestätigung einer Kursbuchung

  • Mehr als 24 Stunden vor Kursbeginn→ Stornierung jederzeit möglich
  • Weniger als 24 Stunden vor Kursbeginn→ Stornogebühren können anfallen.
  • No-Show→ Stornogebühren können anfallen.
    (Der Betrag kann je nach TutorIn variieren. Bitte nimm Kontakt mit Deiner Tutorin/ Deinem Tutor auf.)

Alle Kurse von dieser/m TutorIn

Guilherme Borges Pires

Mögliche Kurszeiten  

Mo 18:00 Di 04:30
Di 18:00 Mi 04:30
Mi 18:00 Do 04:30
Do 18:00 Fr 04:30
Fr 18:00 Sa 04:30
Actual availability may differ. Please check when you make a request.
Shown in Asia/Tokyo time.
I am sorry, do you mean "ser" or "estar"?
30Min.
3,000P
Zoom icon Lattep icon

Guilherme Borges Pires

from
 
in
 
Got a question? Click to Chat