Ser vs. Estar

Ser is used for PERMANENT states

• Identities

  • Ella es Isabella. — She is Isabella.

• Professions

  • Tú eres estudiante. — You are a student

• Origin/Nationality

  • Soy de Guatemala. — I am from Guatemala.

  • Ellos son americanos. — They are American.

• Characteristics (Feature/quality of something)

  • Él es bajo. — He is short.

• Location (Events only)

  • La fiesta es en mi casa. — The party is in my house.

• Time and Date

  • Hoy es jueves. — Today is Thursday.

  • Es el veintisiete de febrero. — It’s the 27th of February.

  • Son las dos menos veinticinco de la tarde. — It’s 2:35 in the afternoon.

Estar is used for TEMPORARY states

• Emotions/Feelings

  • Nosotras estamos felices. — We are happy.

• Condition (Current state of something)

  • Él está cansado. — He is tired.

  • Ustedes está enfermo. — Y’all are sick.

• Location (Anything other than events)

  • El edifico está en la ciudad. — The building is in the city.

  • Ellas estás en la parque. — They are in the park.

  • La restaurante está lejos de la escuela. — The restaurant is far from the school.