spanish...difference when to use ser and estar?

Question

AH i keep getting confused on which one to use!
Like if i wanted to say the teachers are very strict, which one would i use?
can you please tell me when to use ser and when to use estar?
thanks!!

Answer 1

Here's a reminder:
DO IT THELMA
ser is DO IT; description, origin, identity, time

estar is THELMA; temporary, health, emotion, location, mood, attitude.

Ser is permanent stuff, estar is temporary conditions.

Answer 2

If you want to say that the teachers are strict and it is a characteristic of the teachers then you would use ser.Ser is used when something is a characteristic or when something is permanent.ex.Soy maestra.I am a teacher. I used ser b/c being a teacher is a characteristic of me.Estar is used when something is temporary or it's a temporary condition.ex.Ella está enferma.She is sick.I used estar here b/c it is a condition and can change. The simplest way to explain it is ser-permanent/characteristic, estar-temporary/condition.The only exception to these rules is location.Whenever you have location it is always estar.ex.¿Dónde está Bolivia?Where is Bolivia?I know that we think that ser should be used here b/c Bolivia is not moving, but this is how it is used.Once you understand this paragraph I want you to read the next paragraph.

Characteristics can be used with estar when they are conditions.ex.Juanito es guapo.Juanito está guapo(these both mean Juanito is handsome).There is a difference between these two.One is a characteristic and the other is a condition.Juanito es guapo-is a characteristic.He is always handsome.He's a handsome person.Juanito está guapo-is a condition.In this moment Juanito looks handsome but this can change.It's as saying Juanito está guapo hoy(Juanito is handsome today).This is not to say Juanito is not handsome but he looks exceptionally handsome today.Juanito is a handsome boy but today he is wearing a tuxedo and is exceptionally handsome.

Answer 3

Just as the others are saying, when you are talking about the identity of a subject, i.e. physical description, where they are from, etc...you will use ser, and with location and temporary condition, estar. Just remember this phrase: To tell how you feel and where you are, always use the verb estar. It works!!

Answer 4

estar is used when you are referring to the way something is, which can be easily changed (mood, location, etc). Ser is something that is more permanent, that defines a person, thing or situation. I am an engineer, I am a man, It is difficult, for instance.

Answer 5

if i remember, ser is for the teachers are very strict, estar is for temporary descriptions, like the teacher is over there. the way i remembered it was that estar has a "t" in it, and "t" is for temporary :)

Answer 6

the way i have always remembered it is that ser is for a trait that does not change or should not change, and estar if for things that do such as feelings and such. one of the only exceptions is that estar can be used for the location of a place. (which is unchanging) hope it helps.

Answer 7

Ser is for things that are permanent: the sweater is red, the White House is in DC, the moon is made of green cheese.

Estar is for things that change: the sky is clear, she is angry, the kitten is playing.

It's a bit more complicated then that, but it's easy to remember and is enough to get by most places.

Answer 8

neither. you used my teacher are very strict you say.
Mis profesores "son" muy estrictos.

ser and estar is for : Be

for example: Quiero "estar" en el mismo lugar. meaning : I want to "be" in the same place.

and ser is : quiero "ser" alguien en la vida. meaning : I want to be someone in life.

ser: about you
estar: about somewhere.

Answer 9

"how you feel and where you are always use the verb estar"

and ser is like just a thing that can't be changed, like height, intelligence, and stuff like that...

Answer 10

Ser=To be (permanently)
Estar=To be (temporarily)

For example...'Yo soy una mujer'(I am a woman)...uses 'ser'
'Yo estoy viviendo en Ohio'(I am living in Ohio)...uses 'estar' (for something that may change.)