What is the correct translation for the word "are"?
The google translation for the word "are" is se but the spanishdict translation for the word "are" is son which one is correct?
7 Answers
There are two kinds of 'are' in Spanish - used to describe different things. It seems a simple question but it's really quite indepth. To fully understand you need to study the difference between 'ser' and estar' - the two Spanish verbs which mean 'to be'.
But in the meantime here are some examples of the two words which can be translated as 'are':
ser : son (used to classify, identify and define)
estar: están
Los niños son malos.
The boys are bad.
Los niños están en la casa.
The boys are in the house.
Los niños son rubios.
The boys are blonde.
Los niños están durmiendo.
I hope that helps as a quick answer but I really recommend doing a lesson on Ser vs Estar 
The boys are sleeping.
Interestingly enough, if you go to the machine translation page and enter "are" as a single word:
Google gives: se
Free translation gives: son
Babelfish gives: sea
And the dictionary gives: son
There is no "correct" translation into Spanish of the word English "are" There are only choices (which depend on what you mean).
"are" is very complex when you think about it. In spanish there is a difference between formal, informal, plural and singular "are". As well as there is a difference of verbs that are conjugated based on the context of the usage.
If you are looking merely for a specific translation for right now though, the translator here is pretty good and I would recommend using it and asking for clarification here on the forum later if need be.
If though you are hoping to fully understand the differences, you can go to the LEARN SPANISH tab at the top of the page, click on the Learn Spanish 1 tab, and section 1.11 will surely help clarify it for you. Good luck
Estar and Ser can be translated as "are" in the 1st person, plural (we are), or the 2nd person (you, you all are) (formal and informal), or the 3rd person, plural (they are). This would be true in both the indicative and subjunctive moods of the present or present progressive tenses.
Son is (they, you all) are in the present tense, indicative mood of the verb Ser.
It depends on the context. Strictly speaking, using "are" as the plural form of "to be" would mean the Spanish is either "son" or "están". "They are blond" translates as "son rubios". And "they are here" translates as "están aquí". But if you are saying some people are becoming something or are getting angry, you should use the particular verbs, often reflexive verbs, as appropriate. So "are" could appear as "se" in "ellos se enojan" (they are angry) or "se están preparando" (they are getting ready). I hope this helps. And for you native Spanish speakers out there, I am open to correction.
The use of ser and estar (two forms of the infinitive "to be") is one of the most difficult concepts for English speaking students to understand.
Lesson 1.11 under the Learning Spanish option offers a good explanation with some examples. It only takes about 15 minutes to watch.
