Ser and Estar

• Ser and Estar: Part I

Ser and estar can both be translated as “to be.”

    The apple is green.
    (Meaning the apple is not ripe.)

    The apple is green.
    (Meaning the color of the apple is green.)
In the first case, our example speaks of the condition of the apple.
In the second case, our example speaks of the essential characteristics of the apple.


In English, the verb “to be” can be used to tell how something is (the condition) and what something is (the essence).
    How is the apple?
    It is unripe.
    What color is the apple?
    It is green.

In Spanish, a different verb is used to express “to be” depending on whether the speaker intends to address a condition or an essential quality.
    La manzana está verde.
    The apple is green. (condition)

    La manzana es verde.
    The apple is green. (essence)

To address condition, use estar. Estar is an irregular verb. It does not follow the standard rules of conjugation for regular -ar verbs.
estoy
estás
está
estamos
estáis
están

To address an essential quality, use ser. Ser is also irregular
soy
eres
es
somos
sois
son
http://studyspanish.com/grammar/lessons/serest1

• Ser and Estar: Part II

Ser is used to express the hour, day, and date.
¿Qué hora es?
Son las dos.

Ser is used to express place of origin.
¿De dónde eres tú?
Soy de Colombia.

Ser is used to express occupation.
    ¿Cuál es tu trabajo?
    What do you do?
    Soy carpintero
    I’m a carpenter.

Ser is used to express nationality.
¿Es ella puertorriqueña?
Is she Puerto Rican?

Ser is used to express religious or political affiliation
¿Es el gobierno socialista?
Is the government socialist?

Ser is used to express the material something is made of.
    ¿De qué material es la mesa?
    What’s the table made of?
    Es de madera.
    It’s made of wood.

Ser is used to express possession.
    ¿De quién es la pluma?
    Whose pen is it?

    Es de Emilio.
    It’s Emilio’s.

Ser is used to express the relationship of one person to another.

    ¿Quién es Rogelio?
    Who is Roger?

    Es el esposo de Marta.
    He’s Martha’s husband.

Ser is used with certain impersonal expressions.
    Es importante practicar cada día.
    It’s important to practice every day.

Ser is used to tell where an event is taking place.
    La película es en el cine.
    The movie is at the theatre.

Ser is used with adjectives to express inherent, or essential qualities.
    Miguel es un hombre sincero.
    Mike is a sincere man.

http://studyspanish.com/grammar/lessons/serest2

• Ser and Estar: Part III

Estar is used to express geographic or physical locations.
    ¿Dónde estás?
    Where are you?

    Estoy en el laboratorio.
    I’m in the laboratory.

    ¿Dónde está Chile?
    Where’s Chile?

Estar is used with adjectives to express a state or condition (“how” something is).
    ¿Cómo está la sopa?
    How’s the soup?

Estar is used with many idiomatic expressions. These are just a few.
estar de acuerdo
    to be in agreement

    Uses of estar
    geographic or physical location
    state or condition
    many idiomatic expressions
    progressive tenses
http://studyspanish.com/grammar/lessons/serest3

• Ser and Estar: Part IV

When the verb “to be” is followed by a noun, the verb ser is always used. In this instance, it might be helpful to think of the verb as equivalent to an “equal” sign, such as a = b. This type of sentence is always referring to essential characteristics, since the verb is “linking” what comes before the verb to what comes after the verb

John is a doctor.
John = doctor.
Juan es médico.


When the verb “to be” is followed by an adjective, the verb used depends upon the meaning. When referring to an essential characteristic, use ser. When referring to a state or condition, use estar.

    La sopa está fría.
    The soup is cold.

    Los elefantes son grandes.
    The elephants are big.

When the verb “to be” is followed by an adjective, the verb can actually change the meaning of the adjective.
    El profesor está aburrido.
    The professor is bored.

    El profesor es aburrido.
    The professor is boring.

Let’s distinguish between origin, location, and “to take place.” To describe origin, or where something is from, use ser. To describe location, or where something is located right now, use estar. To tell where an event is taking place, use ser.
    Mónica es de España. (origin)
    Mónica está en Venezuela. (location)
    La fiesta es en la casa de Mónica. (taking place)

    Ser and estar (contrasting uses)
    When a noun follows the verb, use ser
    When an adjective follows the verb, decide between “essence” and “condition”
    To tell where something is from, use ser
    To tell where something is located right now, use estar
    To tell where an event is taking place, use ser
http://studyspanish.com/grammar/lessons/serest4