Difference between "estoy" and "soy"

Question

In sentences like "Estoy bien" and "Soy inteligente" in English I am would be used. Why is it two different words in Spanish? I looked it up in a dictionary but it does not help much. How to use these two words and not mix them?

Soy has more protein. - Ox-Y-Gen, Sep 1, 2012

Good question and here begins one of the most interesting parts of the Spanish language, a little bit of a challenge but well worth investing some time on the subject as it will stand you in good stead as you continue learning. - Kiwi-Girl, Sep 1, 2012

Answer 1

There are lots of threads opened up on here that discuss this one. The best way for you to remember it up front is "Estar" conveys a sense of "being in the state of", while "Ser" conveys a sense or permanence. This is not a hard and fast rule but it can help get you started. Someone will soon come on here and blast me for this explanation, but this helped me out the most when I first got started.

Example: Soy inteligente=I am smart (always) Estoy bien=I am good (right now but that could change later)

Answer 2

Here's some links that may help (smiley)

Ser vs Estar an indepth intro to these two verbs

Ser vs Estar an intro with an exercise to practice and a podcast to listen to

Ser vs Estar - in a nutshell

Answer 3

Try this....

http://www.spanishdict.com/learn/show/12

it is the ser vs. estar lesson.

Answer 4

This is the first of many times you will realize that Spanish is a much more subtle language than English. It is more complex. They have concepts we don't have in English. Eventually you will understand, accept and perhaps just memorize to get you through. Not everything translates.

Sit back and enjoy the ride. Remember this post when you get to what we know as the past tense.