1. SER vs ESTAR The verb SER is used to show a permanent
characteristic of a person or thing.
The boy is tall El chico es alto
The house is green La casa es verde

2. The verb ESTAR is used to show a temporary condition or to show location.
The boy is ill
El chico está enfermo
The book is on the desk
El libro está en el escritorio

3. To remember the uses of SER remember the word C note [$100 bill] Characteristics El chico es alto Nationality Ana es chilena Origin Elena es de Perú Time Son las dos y media Equal to Mi hermana es médica

4. To remember the use of ESTAR, think of the phrase “True Love Forever.
Temporary condition
Ana está lista [ready]
Location
Los carros están en el garaje
Feelings [physical or emotional]
Enrique está triste. [sad]

5. SER and ESTAR cannot be interchanged
SER and ESTAR cannot be interchanged. If the wrong verb is used, the meaning of the sentence will be changed. Ana está lista Ana is ready Ana es lista Ana is clever La manzana es verde The apple is green [its natural color] La manzana está verde The apple is green [not ripe]

6. Héctor está triste. Héctor is sad.
Héctor es triste. Héctor is depressed.
“Luís, tú estás loco”
“Luís, you’re crazy”
(you don’t know what you’re talking about)
“Ana, Luís es loco!”
“Ana, Luis is crazy”!
(he needs to be institutionalized)