Preterite in Ser vs Estar #learnspanish

Added: 2026-05-27

[00:00:00]You can't really speak Spanish unless you know this, the preterite of ser versus estar. Fui [music] is the preterite of ser.

[00:00:07]Use it for completed actions, defining roles, and finished events.

[00:00:12]Here's how to conjugate it.

[00:00:17]>> [music] [music] >> is the preterite of estar. [music] Use it for temporary states, specific locations, and finished feelings.

[00:00:39]Here's how to conjugate it.

[00:00:50]Here are three examples.

[00:01:00]Here's the quick takeaway.

[00:01:02]Fui [music] is for what was, the role, the event, the identity.

[00:01:07]Estuve is for how it was, the state, the location, the feeling. [music] Remember, fui for what was, estuve for how it was.

[00:01:16]Want ser versus estar in the subjunctive next?

[00:01:19]Comment subjunctive below and I'll make it.