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To be – Ser
The word “ser” refers to a constant state of anything, such as you or what you are. It is a version of the verb “to be.” For instance, if you’re tall, you’d say, “Yo soy alto,” which translates to, “I am tall,” as your height doesn’t fluctuate.
In the present and past tenses, “ser” employs different stems, but the future tense conjugation is consistent.
Photo ofTo be – Estar
Although “estar” also means “to be,” it denotes action or a transient state of being as opposed to “ser,” which denotes something permanent. For instance, if you have a cold, you would say, “Estoy enfermo,” which translates to “I am sick,” because you are just currently ill.
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To have – Haber
“Haber” is unusual because it is both an auxiliary verb and an irregular verb. It is therefore utilized to create compound verb phrases. It comes before the primary verb in a phrase to establish the tense of the main verb. For instance, the phrase “He estado,” which consists of “haber” and a variation of “estar,” means “I have been.”
The past tense and preterit forms of the auxiliary verb “haber” are not frequently used, thus they are included here primarily for reference.
“Hay” can also imply “there is” or “there are” when conjugated.