When linking a noun to an adjective, we use ser or star depending on the meaning of the adjective. Generally speaking, we can say that we use ser when we perceive that the adjective expresses an invariable quality, and we use estar when we perceive that the adjective express a condition that has changed from a previous condition, and may change in the future.
Since the number of adjectives that are normally used with ser is much larger than the ones used with estar, and many of the adjectives used with estar can also be used with ser, I always recommend students to use ser as a general rule, and learn the uses of estar with adjectives as exceptions.
The following list contains most of the adjectives that are used with estar.
Some of this adjectives are also used with ser with a different meaning.
Although they are not included in this list, we normally use estar with past participle forms used as adjectives (aburrido, cansado...).
For a more thorough list of adjectives used with ESTAR, join the Light On Spanish Membership.
LIST OF ADJECTIVES USED WITH ESTAR
| ESTAR | MEANING | SER | MEANING |
| absorto | to be engrossed | ||
| atento | to be alert, focused | atento | to be attentive, solicitous |
| ausente | to be absent / distracted | ||
| borracho | to be drunk | ||
| bueno | to be tasty | bueno | to be good (in general) |
| caliente | to be hot, warm | ||
| completo | to be complete / full | completo | to be versatile |
| consciente | to be conscious, awake | consciente | to be conscious, aware |
| contento | to be happy, pleased, glad | ||
| delgado | to be slim | ||
| descalzo | to be barefoot | ||
| despierto | to be awake | despierto | to be bright, sharp |
| disperso | to be dispersed | disperso | to be a dispersed person |
| enfermo | to be ill | ||
| frío | to be cold (temperature) | frío | to be cold, insensible, distant |
| furioso | to be furious | ||
| gordo | to be fat | ||
| grave | to be seriously ill | grave | to be a serious problem or condition |
| hambriento | to be hungry | ||
| harto | to be fed up, sick of | ||
| impaciente | to be impatient to do something | impaciente | to be an impatient person |
| libre | to be free, unocupied | libre | to be free, enjoy freedom |
| limpio | to be clean | limpio | to be a clean person |
| listo | to be ready | listo | to be clever |
| loco | to be crazy, mentally ill | ||
| lleno | to be full | ||
| maduro | to be ripe | maduro | to be mature |
| malo | to be ill / spoiled (food) | malo | to be bad / harmful |
| molesto | to be annoyed | molesto | to be annoying |
| moreno | to be tanned | moreno | to be dark-skinned |
| nervioso | to be nervous (state) | nervioso | to be very excitable |
| orgulloso | to be proud of something | orgulloso | to be conceited, vain |
| pálido | to be pale | pálido | to be pale-skinned |
| presente | to be present | ||
| rico | to be tasty | rico | to be rich |
| sano | to be healthy, enjoy good health | sano | to be healthy, foster health |
| seco | to be dry | seco | to be curt |
| sediento | to be thirsty | sucio | to be messy |
| seguro | to be in a safe situation or environment | seguro | to be a safe situation or enviroment |
| to be certain about something | to be a certain, definite | ||
| sucio | to be dirty | sucio | to be messy |
| suelto | to be loose | ||
| sujeto | to be fixed to | ||
| tenso | to be tense, taut / stressed | ||
| tranquilo | to be calm, quiet | tranquilo | to be a calm person |
| triste | to feel sad | triste | to be sad, cause sorrow |
| vacío | to be empty | ||
| verde | to be unripe / unexperienced | verde | to be green coloured |
| vivo | to be alive | vivo | to be quick, sharp, bright |