Ser VS Estar
Ser (to be)
- To show the origin of the people (with de)
Soy de México. I am from Mexico.
- To express characteristics of things or people.
Soy mexicano. I am Mexican.
- To express time, dates, season, and months.
Son las 3 de la mañana. It’s 3 in the morning.
- When followed by a noun.
Son mis padres. They are my parents.
Estar (to be)
- To express location
Estoy en la casa ahora. I am at home now.
- To express feeling
Estoy muy feliz. I am so happy.
- To express weather condition
Está nublado. It’s cloudy.
- To look
Estás muy hermosa esta noche. Tonight, you look beautiful.
- To express progressive, what is happening right now.
Estoy estudiando mucho. I am studying a lot right now.
*Unlike progressive form in English, progressive in Spanish only tells you what to do right now.
Voy a estudiar este fin de semana. I am studying this weekend.
Estoy estudiando ahora. I am studying right now.