Is it estoy or soy?

Question

Okay so i'm basically new to spanish & Im having some trouble with the difference of estoy & soy. let's say I'm telling someone who I am do I say "Estoy Raylene" or "Soy Raylene"? If someone can help i'll appreciate it a lot.

Please capitalise at all times , and no short cuts to English , we teach both English and Spanish here . - ray76, May 20, 2017

Answer 1

Welcome. Please read and follow the rules before posting. If you do a search here for soy vs. estoy you will easily find the answer to your question and learn much more.

Answer 2

for starting to differenciate the uses of both verbs I would suggest you to look for in the sentence that you are analyzing something that has relation with characteristics or placement. .

There are other uses of both verbs , you can search for them in this site. There are great posts here about them Like for example Daniela's post about these verbs.

I will say you only a very basícal rule.

For characteristics or identity use SER.

For placement(where) use ESTAR.

My wife is at work (WHERE is my wife? ).

Mi mujer está EN EL TRABAJO.

My wife is a good looking woman and her name is Mary .( WHO is she and how is she) . Be Carefull with "how" "como" it can refers to a characteristic "como es" or to other case " como está "wichc is specified in the upper related post .

Mi esposa es una mujer PRECIOSA y su nombre es MARIA.

I hope this helps . Please correct my English.

Astotxua, we would say: When starting to differenTiate between the uses etc...I hope this helps :) - FELIZ77, May 20, 2017

also, ' I would suggest you look for, (coma) in the sentence you are writing, (comma). - FELIZ77, May 20, 2017

something concerned with characteristics or location. - FELIZ77, May 20, 2017

Answer 3

Hello Raylene,

Welcome to our Spanishdict community forum

You said/asked:

Okay so i'm basically new to spanish & Im having some trouble with the difference of estoy & soy. let's say I'm telling someone who I am do I say "Estoy Raylene" or "Soy Raylene"? If someone can help i'll appreciate it a lot.

Very simply, If you are talking about an essential characteristic of a person such as who you are or what kind of person they are, ie: She is intelligent = Es inteligente, or He is creative = Es creativo, you would use the verb Ser.

If however, you want to talk about a person's state / condition or an activity they are doing ie: She is happy = Está contenta or They are reading = Están leyendo, then you would use the verb Estar!

I was only answering your question above , not giving you an overview of the differences between Ser vs Estar

You can find out more about the differences between ser vs estar by following the direct link to the language guide that NKM gave you in his post or click on the blue drop -down tab (menu) and click on Language guide.

I hope this helps

Answer 4

Hello!

This might be the answer to your question with link. When to Use "Soy" vs. "Estoy"

Also, for more information on Spanish grammar links. Language Guide

Finally, don't post duplicates.

Hope this helps.

Regards!

That link uses the old "permanent " vs. "temporary" thing which is misleading. The examples are good though. - Daniela2041, May 20, 2017