Ser vs Estar

Both mean "to be". ser is for what something IS — identity, origin, essence. estar is for how or where it is right now.

Examples

Spanish has two verbs for "to be": ser and estar.

Use SER for permanent or defining traits — identity, profession, origin, time/date, possession, material:

Soy estudiante. — I am a student.

Ella es de México. — She is from Mexico.

El libro es interesante.

The book is interesting (intrinsic quality).

Son las tres. — It's three o'clock.

Use ESTAR for temporary states, location of a person or a thing, or ongoing actions:

Estoy cansado. — I'm tired (right now).

El libro está en la mesa.

The book is on the table.

Madrid está en España.

A city is a thing: estar, even when it never moves.

La fiesta es en mi casa.

An event uses ser, not estar.

Está lloviendo. — It is raining.

Same adjective, different meaning:

Es aburrido. — He is boring (his nature).

Está aburrido. — He is bored (his current state).

Es bueno. — He is good (a good person).

Está bueno. — It tastes good / He is hot (state).

1. ser for identity / origin / time
Use ser for who/what someone is, where they're from, time of day.
- Soy de España.I am from Spain.
- Son las dos.It is two o'clock.
2. estar for state / mood
Use estar for temporary states (tired, sick, happy) and feelings.
- Estoy bien.I'm well.
- Está triste.He is sad.
3. estar for location
People and things use estar for where they are, even when the place never changes (Madrid está en España). An event uses ser: La fiesta es en mi casa.
- El libro está en la mesa.The book is on the table.
- Madrid está en España.Madrid is in Spain.

Short drills built on these 3 skills, with instant feedback on every answer. Free to start.