The differences between ser and estar are considered one of the most difficult concepts to nonnative speakers. Both ser and estar translate into English as to be, but they both express different ideas. These differences may be generalized so that ser expresses nature and estar expresses state. One easy way to remember is: ser is generally for permanent things; estar is generally for things that are temporary.
As a general rule, use the verb "ser" for permanent things, things that are always true.
1.- Nationality - use the verb "ser" in order to talk about the place of birth or origin of people.
Yo soy español.
I am Spanish.
Los padres de Marcos son de Brasil, pero crecieron en Portugal.
Marcos's parents are form Brazil, but they grew up in Portugal.
Nosotros somos de Málaga, pero vivimos en Sevilla.
We are from Malaga, but we live in Seville.
2.- Time and date - When telling the time always use a plural form, except for one.
Es la una de la tarde.
It's one o'clock in the afternoon.
Son las diez de la mañana.
It's ten in the morning.
Hoy es lunes 8 de junio.
Today is Monday, June, 8th.
*When telling the date, the use of the verb "estar"+the preposition "a" is also correct. - Hoy estamos a lunes 8 de julio.
3.- Possession - the verb "ser" indicates that something is possessed by someone.
Esa chaqueta es mía.
That jacket is mine.
La carta que está encima de la mesa es para ti.
The letter that is on the table is for you.
La mansión en la playa es la mansión de los padres de Carlos.
The mansion on the beach is Carlos' parents mansion.
4.- Physical and personality traits - use the verb "ser" to describe the physical and personality traits of people. Don't use the verb ser to talk about physical condition of people. You can also describe the physical traits of a thing using the verb "ser".
El hijo de Paula es alto, rubio, y delgado.
Paula's son is tall, blond, and slim.
Mi abuela es muy amable con todo el mundo.
My grandmother is very friendly with everybody.
La novia de Miguel es muy arrogante. No me gusta para él.
Miguel's girlfriend is very arrogant. I don't like her for him.
5.- Occupation - use the verb "ser" to talk about the occupation of somebody.
Mi padre es veterinario.
My father is a vet.
José es albañil y nos ayudó con las reformas de la cocina.
Jose is a mason and he helped us with the remodeling of the kitchen.
Rosa es abogada, pero está trabajando para un banco.
Rosa is a lawyer, but she's working for a bank.
6.- Events - use the verb "ser" when referring to an event that will take place.
El concierto es en la plaza mayor del pueblo.
The concert is at the village's main square.
La fiesta de cumpleaños de Belén es mañana en el apartamento de Eugenia.
Belen's birthday party is tomorrow at Eugenia's apartment.
El Mundial de Fútbol del 2010 será en Sudáfrica.
The 2010 World Cup will take place in South Africa.
7.- Opinions - use the verb "ser" to express opinions.
Creo que el pastel de chocolate es el mejor del mundo.
I think chocolate cake is the best in the world.
Marta cree que Marcos es un inmaduro.
Marta thinks that Marcos is an inmature person.
Nosotros creemos que la solución al problema de matemáticas es x=14.
We think the solution to the math problem is x=14.
8.- Definitions - use the verb "ser" to define things.
La casa de mis padres es muy grande.
My parent's house is huge.
La educación es el proceso de socialización de los individuos.
Education is the socialization process of individuals.
Escribir cartas es un medio de comunicación.
Writing letters is a way of communication.
9.- To indicate what material something is made of - use the verb "ser" to indicate what something is made of.
Mi chaqueta nueva es de piel.
My new jacket is made of fur.
El pastel es de crema con nueces.
The cake is made of whipped cream and nuts.
El mueble que hemos comprado es de caoba.
The piece of furniture that we bought is made of mahogany.
10.- Judgements - use the verb "ser" to express judgments.
El egoísmo es un valor negativo de las personas.
Egoism is a negative value of people.
Marcos es muy buen jugador de baloncesto.
Marcos is a very good basketball player.
Mi madre es la mejor madre del mundo.
My mother is the greatest mother in the world.
As a general rule, use the verb "ser" for permanent things, things that are always true.
Uses of Ser
1.- Nationality - use the verb "ser" in order to talk about the place of birth or origin of people.
Yo soy español.
I am Spanish.
Los padres de Marcos son de Brasil, pero crecieron en Portugal.
Marcos's parents are form Brazil, but they grew up in Portugal.
Nosotros somos de Málaga, pero vivimos en Sevilla.
We are from Malaga, but we live in Seville.
2.- Time and date - When telling the time always use a plural form, except for one.
Es la una de la tarde.
It's one o'clock in the afternoon.
Son las diez de la mañana.
It's ten in the morning.
Hoy es lunes 8 de junio.
Today is Monday, June, 8th.
*When telling the date, the use of the verb "estar"+the preposition "a" is also correct. - Hoy estamos a lunes 8 de julio.
3.- Possession - the verb "ser" indicates that something is possessed by someone.
Esa chaqueta es mía.
That jacket is mine.
La carta que está encima de la mesa es para ti.
The letter that is on the table is for you.
La mansión en la playa es la mansión de los padres de Carlos.
The mansion on the beach is Carlos' parents mansion.
4.- Physical and personality traits - use the verb "ser" to describe the physical and personality traits of people. Don't use the verb ser to talk about physical condition of people. You can also describe the physical traits of a thing using the verb "ser".
El hijo de Paula es alto, rubio, y delgado.
Paula's son is tall, blond, and slim.
Mi abuela es muy amable con todo el mundo.
My grandmother is very friendly with everybody.
La novia de Miguel es muy arrogante. No me gusta para él.
Miguel's girlfriend is very arrogant. I don't like her for him.
5.- Occupation - use the verb "ser" to talk about the occupation of somebody.
Mi padre es veterinario.
My father is a vet.
José es albañil y nos ayudó con las reformas de la cocina.
Jose is a mason and he helped us with the remodeling of the kitchen.
Rosa es abogada, pero está trabajando para un banco.
Rosa is a lawyer, but she's working for a bank.
6.- Events - use the verb "ser" when referring to an event that will take place.
El concierto es en la plaza mayor del pueblo.
The concert is at the village's main square.
La fiesta de cumpleaños de Belén es mañana en el apartamento de Eugenia.
Belen's birthday party is tomorrow at Eugenia's apartment.
El Mundial de Fútbol del 2010 será en Sudáfrica.
The 2010 World Cup will take place in South Africa.
7.- Opinions - use the verb "ser" to express opinions.
Creo que el pastel de chocolate es el mejor del mundo.
I think chocolate cake is the best in the world.
Marta cree que Marcos es un inmaduro.
Marta thinks that Marcos is an inmature person.
Nosotros creemos que la solución al problema de matemáticas es x=14.
We think the solution to the math problem is x=14.
8.- Definitions - use the verb "ser" to define things.
La casa de mis padres es muy grande.
My parent's house is huge.
La educación es el proceso de socialización de los individuos.
Education is the socialization process of individuals.
Escribir cartas es un medio de comunicación.
Writing letters is a way of communication.
9.- To indicate what material something is made of - use the verb "ser" to indicate what something is made of.
Mi chaqueta nueva es de piel.
My new jacket is made of fur.
El pastel es de crema con nueces.
The cake is made of whipped cream and nuts.
El mueble que hemos comprado es de caoba.
The piece of furniture that we bought is made of mahogany.
10.- Judgements - use the verb "ser" to express judgments.
El egoísmo es un valor negativo de las personas.
Egoism is a negative value of people.
Marcos es muy buen jugador de baloncesto.
Marcos is a very good basketball player.
Mi madre es la mejor madre del mundo.
My mother is the greatest mother in the world.