How do you know when to use ser and estar?

Question

With ser and estar both meaning "to be," its confusing to me when to use ser and when to use estar. Does it matter which one to use? Are there any rules as to which one should be used? How does someone tell when to use each verb?

Thanks,

Santiago

Answer 1

Here's a link to an article in the reference articles of this web site

Santiago, just click on the link that Jack gave you and you'll understand a lot more about the subject. - --Mariana--, Oct 26, 2009

Answer 2

It's a bit complicated for my help for that verb ser and estar in Spanish have different meanings such is not the same as saying el es bueno >>>.el esta bueno el verbo to be en español es:

ser:soy, eres, es, somos, son { yo soy, tu eres, el ó ella es, nosotros somos, ellos son }

estar:estoy estas está estamos estan{ yo estoy, tu estas, el ó ella está, nosotros estamos, ellos estan

Esto es presente simple

Let's not forget "soís" and "estaís" for vosotros either. - spanishstudent95, Oct 26, 2009

Answer 3

when it says --------- de caracas, venezuela. how would i use ser?

It depends on who you are talking about. If you are saying "I am from Caracas, Venezuela" it would be "Soy de Caracas, Venezuela" Or if you are saying someone else is, "él/ella/ustéd es de Caracas, Venezuela". - spanishstudent95, Oct 26, 2009

Answer 4

ser is something permanent, such as a name: Soy David, o Soy de Milwaukee (I'm from Milwaukee)

estar is something that changes, Estoy aquí (I'm here), o ¿Cómo estás? which is How are you? and can change.

Answer 5

how would i use ser in a sentence?

hi seneen ,, open a new thread please.and use correct spelling, otherwise the thread will be deleted - 00494d19, Oct 26, 2009

Answer 6

ser is for: gender, color of clothes, name, and basically things that are permanent. Estar is for like mood, where you are at, drinking, eating, and basically non permanent stuff.