What is the difference between 'Estoy' and 'Soy' ?
Here is what I think:
'Estoy' means 'I am', and should be used when describing an action; like - I am typing on my keyboard
'Soy' means 'I am' as well, but should be used describing a personal attribute; like - I am Polish, I am a student, I am ill, I am tired
Right? Wrong?
***Also, whats the difference between 'esta' and 'está' ?
Thanks
7 Answers
Echoline posted a nice answer to that on another thread:
At the core of it all, the easiest way to remember the difference of when to use ser and estar is philosophical. It is unfortunate that we don't have this concept in English, as it is a beautiful and useful difference. Ser is used when you are describing the immutable part of you, the intransitory. Estar is for the things in life that come and go, like your location. Ser is your essence....estar comes and goes.
Her complete answer is at link text
Yes, you are right. Soy is used to state characteristics, such as nationality etc, it comes from the verb 'ser' which means 'to be'. Estoy is used to state feelings, location, things that can change frequently, it comes from the verb 'estar' which also means 'to be', My spanish teacher taught me a rhyme to help me remember the difference, it goes like this... 'how you feel or where you are, always use the verb estar.'
Está is a form of the verb 'estar', it means he/she/it is Esta means this, it is the feminine version of esto
Right! There are many things, though. Here's what I can think of off the top of my head.
ESTAR: Location: I am in Europe. Progressives: I am writing. (Estoy escribiendo.) Emotion: I am sad. Condition: I am cold (at this moment, not all the time). Temporary things can be expressed in ESTAR.
SER: Physical traits: I am tall. Characteristics: I am funny. Ingredients: I am made of flesh and bone. Facts: I am from New York. Things unchanged can be expressed in SER.
These are just a few. Good luck!
Hi and welcome to the forum,
You are on the right track. Read here for more information. 
If you go here it will explain the differences between Estar and Ser.
Esta means this, this thing, this store, this place, etc. Esto also means "this." Está is a conjugation of the verb Estar. Meaning it is or you are.
Whole books have been written about the two important Spanish verbs: ser and estar. So I hesitate to even begin, but will offer only this rule to which there are many exceptions: Ser has the sense of the permanent and the intrinsic while estar has the sense of the temporary...
check this out, one of the many place to learn about this. difference
your right :]
