Estoy or soy?

Question

What is the difference between estoy and soy? The two words seem to both mean "I am." For example, in lesson 1.1 we are taught "estoy bien", but in 1.2 it is "soy alto."

Is there a rule I'm missing?

Thanks

Answer 1

I wondered that too. My spanish teacher for this year taught me this to remember when to use each one; Ser o Estar Ser (DOCTOR) Date Occupation Characteristics Time Origin Relation

Estar (PLACE)

Position Location Actions Conditions Emotions

It really helps.

• Thanks. This answer made the most sense. - dgoins Nov 28, 2009

Answer 2

Welcome to the forum, dg

Have a look at previous threads on this topic.

We also have a reference section:ser vs estar

• Thanks for the link. It explained a lot. The video lesson just glossed over it and I didn't understand. I see the reference section now. - dgoins Nov 28, 2009

Answer 3

the easiest way to answer this is to say that ser indicates permanence, while estar represents a temporary state. so someone who is tall will always be tall, but if you are well on a given day it is possible to be unwell on any other given day

• Interesting that you use ser to demonstate something temporary... en otro día estaría malo. - CalvoViejo Nov 28, 2009
• Argh! - samdie Nov 14, 2010
• I'd wager that however tall you may be now, you weren't ver tall at birth. Permanent=nonsesense. - samdie Nov 14, 2010

Answer 4

HI Schaftie, this is certainly the easiest but also the wrongest way

Welcome to the forum, please read the reference page

Just a couple of examples:

Estoy muerto-----I think we can't get any more permanent than that!

Soy morena---------you die your hair and that was it.... "soy rubia"

Answer 5

The most important difference is that they are two different verbs "ser" and "estar" unlike in English are the verb "to be". Here I leave you other examples:

Soy > "soy de España" Estoy > "estoy cansada"

Answer 6

hi heidita, just wanted to point out that my rule works generally not always, and that wrongest isn't a word

• Way to go. Keep her honest! :-) - qfreed Nov 28, 2009

Answer 7

In spain they regard death as an ongoing state and that is why the verb estar is used here.

Answer 8

you use estoy when describing emotions and being in a location(non permanent)-they are just happening for a very little period of time. eg.i am tired and i am in the office

you use soy when describing your permanent self like your family your nationality(nothing cant change those things)

need more information contact me [e-mail]

• Thanks - that's clear! - jentimus Dec 14, 2010