does ser mean is?

Question

can you explain a easlier way to think of ser and estoy?

Answer 1

Generally they mean the same thing (e.g. "Yo soy/estoy feliz" ---> "I'm happy"), but sometimes they indicate thing different:

I vehemently disagree. Ser/Estar do not "generally mean the same thing", even your example is grossly incorrect (Yo soy/estoy feliz" ---> "I'm happy")

I'm hispanohablante and "Yo soy/estoy feliz" ---> "I'm happy" is correct. - juan_carlos_b, Dec 20, 2011

Answer 2

Please read this definitive article on Ser - Estar

Answer 3

I always looked at it as SER being permanent like your profession soy maestro (I am a teacher) or a personal characteristic ella es alta (she is tall) etc...

Estar (the infinitive verb not estoy which is 1st person) I consider as temporary or to describe location el perro está mojado (the dog is wet), la pelota está sobre la mesa ( the ball is on the table).

Here's a link:http://www.studyspanish.com/lessons/serest1.htm

But there is more to it than just these points. I'm sure someone else can help out.

Answer 4

Generally they mean the same thing (e.g. "Yo soy/estoy feliz" ---> "I'm happy"), but sometimes they indicate thing different:

Ser: to exist, to live (e.g. "Yo soy un novato" ---> "I'm a rookie")

Estar: be, stand, be located (e.g. "Yo estoy en mi casa" ---> "I'm in my house")