Apuntes #1:  The verbs Ser vs. Estar

Both verbs mean to be, but they have different uses.

Ser-to

yo soy     nosotros somos

tú eres     vosotros sois

él  es        ellos son

Notice the uses for the verb ser.

1. Ser is used to describe physical/personality characteristics.

Juan es alto. (a physical characteristic that is permanent)

Los chicos son inteligentes.  (a personality characteristic)

2. Used to describe profession.

El Sr. Brown es el director. (profession/occupation)

Nosotros somos estudiantes. (occupation)

3. Used to tell where someone is from (origin) 

Ser+ de

Juan es de Mexico.  (Key word “de” indicates origin)

4. Used to tell time and the date.

Es la una.

Son las dos.

Hoy es lunes.

Hoy es el cinco de mayo.

Estar also means to be.  

Yo estoy         nosotros estamos

Tú estás     vosotros estáis

él está       ellos están

You will note that estar has only 2 uses.  

1. Use estar when you talk about feelings or emotions.

Yo estoy triste.  I am sad.  (sad is a feeling that is not fixed, it changes)

         Carlos esta cansado.  (tired is also not fixed)

2. Used to tell where something/someone is located.

Roberto está en la oficina.  (key word “en” indicates location.

Nosotros estamos cerca del gimnasio.   (keyword “cerca de”          

                                                                     indicates location)

Remember “Estar LoCo”

Estar is only used with location and condition.  (You can also think of location and condition not being permanent like height and personality and profession.)