A Simple Outline on the uses of Ser and Estar.
Hola, amigos.
Every now and then a question comes up on how to use “ser” and “estar.” So I thought I would write up this little article in the hope that some new learners (and maybe a few not-so-new learners) may benefit thereby.
SER. (1) The first use of “ser” is what is called “identity”. It’s like an = sign. Juan es un hombre, María es una mujer. ¿Qué es esto? Esto es un libro.
(2) The second use is for occupations. Yo soy profesora. Juan es estudiante.
(3) The third is characteristics. La puerta es grande. Mi familia es pequeña. Juan es alto. Maribel es inteligente. Las chicas españolas son muy guapas. 
(4) The fourth use is to speak of origin.¿De dónde es Daniela? Daniela es de España. ¿De dónde es Ramón? Ramón es de Australia. It's also used for nationalities. Daniela es española. Amber es norteamericana.
(5) The fifth use is to show possession. It loosely translates the English word “belong/s” De quién es la bicicleta? “Es de Miguel” ¿De quiénes son los libros? “Son de los estudiantes”
I’ll give the English here,“To whom does the bike belong? It belongs to Mike” To whom do the books belong? They belong to the students.
(6) The sixth use is to tell what something is made of. Mi reloj es de plata. Mi lápiz es de Madera. Mi celular es de plástico y metal.
(7) The seventh use is time and date. Hoy es el 3 de octubre. Son las ocho de la noche.
(8) The eighth one is the trickiest. It is used to speak of the location of an EVENT. An event Is something that you can not touch. For example, a concert. You can touch the musicians, You can touch the instruments, you can even touch individual members of the audience. But you can’t touch a concert. That’s why we say, “ El concierto es en el parque. La clase de español es en la sala B-45. The verb “estar” is used for location of people places and things- but NOT for an event.
ESTAR:
Estar is a lot different: It is actually easier.
(1) Use estar to speak of location of people, places and things. El profesor está en el laboratorio. El laboratorio está en la aula de ciencias. La universidad está en la ciudad de Madrid. La ciudad de Madrid está en el país de España.
(2) Use estar to speak of physical or mental health or conditions. This also included emotions.
María no viene a la escuela hoy. Está enferma. Su mamá está muy preocupada por ella. Estoy muy contenta hoy porque mi novio me viene a visitar. Carlos está triste porque su perro murió.
(3) Use estar to speak of conditions of people and things. When discussing “ser” I used the sentence “La puerta es grande” That spoke of a characteristic. If I say, “La puerta está abierta (o cerrada)” that is a condition. Pancho es el conductor del autobús. (occupation) Ahora está ocupado con los pasajeros. (condition.)
(4) Use estar to form the present progressive tense. Tengo hambre, estoy comiendo tacos. En la clase de español ahora estamos hablando español. El profesor García está dando una conferencia sobre la arquitectura azteca.
(5) Also use estar for certain weather expressions like “está lloviendo.” or “está nublado”
I think the list is fairly complete. If anybody can think of anything else. I’ll be happy to add it. ??
Daniela
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32 Answers
Español:
Me siento obligado a decir que es la forma particular en que usted dijo cosas, y los ejemplos específicos que usted proporcionó, que hacen de este un documento maravilloso. He leído sobre de "ser" y "estar" muchas veces de muchas fuentes, pero ninguna tan útil como éste. Gracias.
PD: por fin entiendo eventos. ¡Gracias de nuevo!
English:
I feel compelled to say that is the particular way in which you phrased things, and the specific examples that you provided, that make this a wonderful document. I have read about "ser" and "estar" many times from many sources, but none so helpful as this. Gracias.
PS: I finally understand events. Thanks again!
Hola, Amigos.
Me alegro de que les haya sido algo benéfico mi artículo sobre los verbos "ser" y "estar." Actualmente estoy pensando en ofrecerles una serie sobre el subjunctivo, y posiblemente "por" y "para," y otras cositas que suelen darles grandes dolores de cabeza a los angloparlantes. Quédense sintonizados a esta emisora, y pronto verán mi próximo esfuerzo para más instrucción para los miembros de SD.
I am happy that my article on the verbs "ser" and "estar" has been somewhat beneficial to you. At the present time I am thinking about offering you a series on the subjunctive and possibly "por" and "para" and other little goodies that usually give English speakers big headaches. Stay tuned to this station and soon you see my next effort for more instruction/teaching for SD members.
Con amor,
Daniela
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I've never seen the uses of "ser" and "estar" laid out so clearly. You must be a fab Spanish teacher, Daniela.
Daniela, what a fantastic and very useful för everyone, especially for beginners! / ¡Qué post estupendo y muy útil para todos, sobre todo..... para los principiantes!
Your post clarified 2 points for me: number 8 of ser about events and number 3 of estar about the difference between when using it for condition and characterístics Very helpful
The only thing I can add after reading through your post and looking at some of Gringo's comments is that you could add possibly add a point about thé use of the passive voice using ser:
ex: La puerta fue cerrada = The door was closed/shut!
vs active voice: ex: La niña cerró la puerta = The girl closed the door .
I am sure you could come up with better examples than this one. lol
You may consider that adding this point of use might confuse beginners or you might think it helpful to mention it...I will leave that to your better judgement ! 
Best regards,
Feliz77
From a "not so new learner" Thank you. I did not know #5 of ser.
The characteristecs vs condition still confuses me but less so after reading this post than a couple of days ago when you first told me to think this way.
One comment and I don't know the official name but can't you use ser to form the impersonal? or some such thing?
Also, I can't come up with an example right now but it seems that sometimes ser is used with the participles?
Or maybe I am just losing it. jajaja.
I'm bumping this up so that people can see this wonderful post about Ser and Estar
Daniela has made this a Reference Articles, accessible from here:
My God, Woman!!! Is there anything you can't do???
If you ever think of relocating to Nueva Orleans, we've got a lot of schools that could really use you!
Worthy of more than one go .
Go girl go !
Bump requested. Bump given.
Five months after, and I just found this. What a wonderful post this is! Thankyou very much amiga.
I am opening this again for Markfiliwhatsit.
Soy un hombre feliz de ver a este hilo.
Me alegro por Dani , así estoy feliz.
I am a happy man to see this thread.
I'm happy for Dani,I'm so happy.
How about the conjugated forms of "estar"? In my Spanish class I am learning about "está" and "están" as singular and plural forms of 'is in' and 'are in'. Where do those fit in?
Espero
