How do you say we are in Spanish?

It depends on context: somos (from ser) for permanent traits and identity, and estamos (from estar) for temporary states and locations.

When should I use somos versus estamos?

Use somos for who or what we are fundamentally — nationality, profession, personality — and estamos for where we are, how we feel right now, or what condition we are in temporarily.

Can somos and estamos appear in the same sentence?

Somos and estamos frequently appear together in natural speech, as in somos amigos y estamos felices de verte (we are friends and we are happy to see you), because identity and state often coexist.

Spanish vocabulary · Beginner

How to Say We Are in Spanish: Somos / Estamos

Written by Sofia Ramirez, Lead Spanish Curriculum Editor · Reviewed May 2026

Somos · verb phrase · SOH-mohs

We are in Spanish has two translations: somos (from the verb ser) for permanent characteristics, identity, and origin, and estamos (from the verb estar) for temporary states, locations, and conditions. Mastering the distinction between ser and estar is fundamental to speaking Spanish correctly.

Somos is pronounced SOH-mohs and estamos is pronounced ehs-TAH-mohs, each with the stress on the second-to-last syllable.

Somos estudiantes de la universidad.

We are students at the university.

We Are in Spanish: Quick Reference

Below are the most common Spanish words for we are, with pronunciation and regional usage notes.

Spanish	English	Pronunciation	Region / Register
somos	we are	SOH-mohs	Default, widely understood
estamos	we are		for temporary states, locations, or conditions

How Native Speakers Use Somos

Real example sentences across three contexts you'll actually run into.

Identity statement

Somos mexicanos y estamos orgullosos de nuestra cultura.

We are Mexican and we are proud of our culture.

Expressing national identity and pride.

Current location

Estamos en el aeropuerto esperando nuestro vuelo.

We are at the airport waiting for our flight.

Communicating your current location to someone.

Temporary feeling

Estamos muy contentos con los resultados del examen.

We are very happy with the exam results.

Sharing a reaction to recent news.

Avoid These Mistakes When Using Somos

Using estamos for identity

Incorrect: Estamos profesores en esta escuela.

Correct: Somos profesores en esta escuela.

Professions and identity are inherent characteristics expressed with ser (somos), not estar (estamos).

Using somos for location

Incorrect: Somos en la oficina ahora.

Correct: Estamos en la oficina ahora.

Physical location is always expressed with estar (estamos), never with ser (somos).

Lock in We Are Vocabulary with the Parrot Method

Why word lists alone don't stick

Memorizing a translation feels productive, but most learners forget 70% of what they studied within 48 hours. Vocabulary needs spaced repetition AND real-world exposure to transfer to long-term memory.

See Somos used by native speakers

Parrot's short-form videos feature native speakers using somos in real situations. Context-based exposure beats flashcards, you hear Somos estudiantes de la universidad. while watching someone live the moment, connecting meaning, sound, and rhythm at once.

Save, review, repeat, stay consistent

Tap any word to save it. Parrot's spaced-repetition system surfaces it right before you'd forget, no manual flashcard creation. The watch, parrot back, save, review cycle turns recognition into fluency at 2.7x the speed of traditional study.

Common Questions About We Are in Spanish

How do you say we are in Spanish?: It depends on context: somos (from ser) for permanent traits and identity, and estamos (from estar) for temporary states and locations.
When should I use somos versus estamos?: Use somos for who or what we are fundamentally — nationality, profession, personality — and estamos for where we are, how we feel right now, or what condition we are in temporarily.
Can somos and estamos appear in the same sentence?: Somos and estamos frequently appear together in natural speech, as in somos amigos y estamos felices de verte (we are friends and we are happy to see you), because identity and state often coexist.