What is the difference between 'estoy' and 'soy'?

Question

What is the difference between 'estoy' and 'soy'?

Answer 1

Ser and estar are both Spanish verbs meaning to be but they are used for different situations.

For example the verb estar is used to talk about locations;

Estar: Estoy en casa = I am at home

Whereas the verb Ser is used when talking of a person's occupation

Ser : Son médicos = They are doctors

You can watch this short teaching video in which our teacher Paralee explains in more detail the difference between the two giving you some guidelines in how to use them.

Here is a direct link to the lessons: link text You can find it i the lesson entitled Ser v Estar 1:11

I hope this helps

That is really helpful. Thank you very much. - emmapymm, Apr 3, 2011

T=You are most welcome :) - FELIZ77, Apr 3, 2011

Answer 2

You have received the Can of Worms award. This is for asking a question that seems so simple but has a 10 page answer.

lol@Leatha hahaha It is the inevitable question that must rank as one of teh top questions of all time lol - FELIZ77, Apr 3, 2011

Even after reading the 10 page answer you probably won't understand until you use the wrong word a few hundred times. - Leatha, Apr 3, 2011

It can happen that way sometimes but after a while you start to develop a sense for which one is correct . I have started to do this but I dodn't get it right every time yet lol I'm still working on it hahaha - FELIZ77, Apr 3, 2011

Answer 3

I haven't seen this question in the forum for many seconds.

Lol@'Lazarus Yes, it is quite a surprise isn't it ? lol - FELIZ77, Apr 3, 2011

Answer 4

Hi Emma and Welcome to the forum. You can do a search on this subject. There is a lot of information I will give you a few linkslink text Ser and estar

link text Compiled reference articles and exerciser on ser and estar

Thanks. The link is really useful. - emmapymm, Apr 3, 2011