Usos de los verbos ser y estar

Mi hermano es doctor, pero no está aquí.

My brother is a doctor, but he isn’t here.

What is the difference between the verb forms es and está. The first is a form of the verb ser, while está
is a form of estar. But why use two different verbs when they both mean is? The English verb to be has
two Spanish equivalents: ser and estar. The two verbs are not interchangeable, although there are some
contexts where either could be used.

What do the following examples have in common?

Nela es de Colombia. Es agente de viajes.

Nela is from Colombia. She is a travel agent.

Este anillo es de plata.

This ring is made of silver.

Me gustan esos zapatos porque son marrones.

I like those shoes because they are brown.

All of these examples feature the verb ser. Why? Well, ser is used to identify, describe or define
something, so it usually refers to more permanent characteristics like nationality, origin, profession,
ownership, or the material something is made out of, its color or size, or its basic nature or essence. Note
that whenever to be is followed by a noun you will almost certainly need the verb ser.

What about estar?

Estoy contenta de verte.

I am happy to see you.

¿Dónde está Pablito?

Where is Pablito?

Está enfermo.
He’s sick.

So, unlike ser, estar is used to describe characteristics which could change, but where the change
wouldn’t affect the basic nature of the person or thing being described. Estar is generally used when
talking about moods, health, a state of being or condition, or to describe personal reactions or a change in
the usual characteristics.

There are cases where you could use either ser or estar, depending on what you mean to
say. For example

If you say, “Rosa es muy linda.”

Implication is that Rosa is a beautiful woman.
However, if you say,“Rosa está linda hoy”.
Then you are commenting on the fact that Rosa looks beautiful today.

There are also specific contexts that require the use of one or the other verb, but which have little to
do with their meaning. So ser is always used in expressions of time:

Hoy es lunes. Son las doce y cuarto.

Today is Monday. It is 12:15.

Estar is always used to refer to location or position, whether you are referring to a person, place or
thing. For example:

María está sentada.

María is sitting.

Hawaii está en el Pacífico.

Hawaii is in the Pacific.

Los zapatos están en el suelo.

The shoes are on the floor.

But the rules apply regardless. Note too, that estar is used to form the present progressive tense:

Estoy escribiendo una tarjeta postal.

I’m writing a postcard.

Pronombres Presente de indicativo del verbo SER Presente de indicativo del verbo
personales ESTAR
yo soy estoy
tú eres estás
él, ella. usted es está
nosotros, -as somos estamos
vosotros, -as sois estáis
ellos, -as, ustedes son están

Uses of ser Uses of estar

the hour, day, and date geographic or physical location

place of origin state or condition
occupation many idiomatic expressions
nationality progressive tenses
religious or political affiliation
the material something is made of
possession
relationship of one person to another
certain impersonal expressions
where an event is taking place
essential qualities