Some adjectives change their meaning when used with either "ser" or "estar".
| Spanish | when used with ser | when used with estar |
| listo | clever | ready |
| malo | bad | ill |
| rico | rich | tasty (for food) |
| vivo | lively | alive |
| bueno | good | well (in good health) |
| cansado | tiring (person) | tired |
| grave | serious (personality) | seriously ill |
| verde | green | unripe |
| moreno | dark-haired | suntanned |
| pesado | heavy (thing) | tiresome |
| aburrido | boring | bored |
| seguro | safe | sure, certain |