Ser vs estar: the simple rule that works most of the time
English has one verb, «to be». Spanish has two, and choosing between them is one of the first things every learner gets wrong. Here is the rule that solves most cases, and the exceptions worth knowing.
The rule
Ser is for what something is: identity, origin, profession, what it is made of, time and date. Estar is for where something is and how it is right now: location, feelings, temporary states.
- Soy Anna. Soy de Alemania. Soy ingeniera. Identity, origin, job: ser.
- Estoy en Lima. Estoy cansada. Place and how I feel: estar.
- Son las ocho. Time: ser.
The exceptions worth knowing
- Events use ser for their location: La fiesta es en mi casa.
- Some adjectives change meaning: es aburrido (he is boring) and está aburrido (he is bored); es listo (clever) and está listo (ready).
- Being dead is estar, even though it is permanent: está muerto.
A quick check
Ask: am I saying what it is, or where and how it is right now? The first is ser, the second estar. Module 1 of A1 practises exactly this; you can try three of its exercises on the courses page.