Preterite Tense of "Ser" and "Estar"

Question

What is the difference in the definitions of each conjugation? I know that both mean "was" in reference to something that is not anymore, but what is the difference between the two?

Answer 1

The preterite of ser (fui, fuiste, fue, fuimos, fueron) describes a permanent characteristic of something in the past that did not change as time went on. For instance, "Anoche la fiesta fue increíble" -- "Last night the party was incredible." The party was incredible, and that's a property that will remain with that party one week from now, one year from now, etc... so we use preterite. Using imperfect here ("La fiesta era increíble") is kind of like saying "The party used to be incredible" and that's not exactly what we're saying.

The preterite of estar (estuve, estuviste, estuvo, estuvimos, estuvieron) is similar, but it describes temporary characteristics in the past, like locations. For example, "Anoche los invitados estuvieron en la casa de Jorge" -- "Last night the guests were at Jorge's house." Again, as time moves on it doesn't change this fact that the guests were at Jorge's at that specific time (anoche). Using the imperfect here (Los invitados estaban en la casa de Jorge) is kind of like saying "The guests used to be at Jorge's house."

A fiesta is an event. You can't touch an event. Ser is used with events. La fiesta fue en casa de Jorge. For "location" estar, it has to be something that you can touch, like the people. Los invitados estuvieron en la fiesta en casa de Jorge. - Daniela2041, Jun 11, 2017

Welcome to SpanishDict. - rac1, Jun 11, 2017

Daniela2041 -- I guess that is true, I didn't think about that. I edited the response to use your example :) - Mitchweezy, Jun 11, 2017

Answer 2

I'm not sure what you mean by the definitions of each conjugation. Also, neither verb necessarily refers to something that is not anymore. (My shirt was red and smelly, and in fact, it still is.)

Generally, the difference between ser and estar is the same in the preterite as in other tenses. Perhaps you're thinking of verbs that change meaning in the preterite?

I suspect that I'm not helping you, because I'm not understanding your question.