Introduction Portuguese has two verbs for ‘to be’: ser and estar. Ser is used for properties, conditions and characteristics which do not change including profession, permanent locations, and nationalities. Estar, on the other hand, is used for temporary states as well as transitory conditions and locations. Let’s have a look at the present indicative of ser and estar and then elaborate on the two different forms of ‘to be’ in Portuguese. Ser 1st person, singular: Eu sou [I am] 2nd person, singular: Tu és [You are] * 3rd person, singular: Ele , Ela , Você é [He/she is; You are] 1st person, plural: Nós somos [We are] 2nd person, plural: Vós sois [You are] * 3rd person, plural: Eles, Elas, Vocês são [They (m)/They(f), You are] Estar 1st person, singular: Eu estou [I am] 2nd person, singular: Tu estás [You are] * 3rd person, singular: Ele, Ela,Você está [He/she is; You are] 1st person, plural: Nós estamos [We are] 2nd person, plural: Vós estais [You are] * 3rd person, plural: Eles , Elas,...