Ser is used to express: D O C T R P I E Descriptions/Essential qualities Yo soy moreno, alto y trabajador Origin/Nationality Nosotros somos de River Edge/Oradell Characteristics/The material something is made of La mesa es de madera Time (the hour, day, and date) Son las once/Hoy es martes/ Es el 17 de enero Occupation Ellos son doctores Relationship of one person to another/ Religious or political affiliation Juan es mi hermano/Mi familia es cristiana P I E Possession Estos son mis libros Impersonal expressions Es bueno comer saludable Where an event is taking place La fiesta es en casa
Estar is used to express: P L A C E Position La biblioteca está al frente de la oficina Location Las tiendas están en el centro comercial Estoy estudiando para la prueba Action/Progressive Tenses Condition or state Las bananas están dulces Expressions that are idiomatic Estar de acuerdo/to be in agreement, estar de pie/to be standing, estar en camino/to be on the way, estar en las nubes/to daydream
Ser and Estar (contrasting uses): When a noun follows the verb, use ser To tell where something is from, use ser To tell where an event is taking place, use ser When an adjective follows the verb, decide between “essence” and “condition” To tell where something is located right now, use estar