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The ser / estar Distinction
Ser and estar are two verbs that correspond to English to be but are not interchangeable. Below are rules for the use of each, with examples. (see also contrast with haber)
USES OF SER
  1. Identifying or equating one or more (pro)nouns with one or more others:
    • Juana es profesora.  Juana is a teacher.
    • ¿Quiénes son esas chicas?  Who are those girls?
    • Tú y yo somos médicos.  You and I are physicians.
    • ¿Qué es esto?  What is this?
    • La filosofía es algo que no me interesa mucho.  Philosophy is something that doesn't interest me much.
    • Ellos van a ser hombres de negocios después de graduarse.  They are going to be businessmen after graduating.
  2. Before adjectives that describe inherent or definitive qualities of something or someone (note):
    • El azúcar es dulce.  Sugar is sweet.
    • Julieta y su marido son muy amables.  Julieta and her husband are very nice.
    • La historia es fascinante.  History is fascinating.
    • ¿Cómo es la maestra?  Dicen que es muy paciente y competente.  What is that schoolteacher like?  They say she's very patient and competent.
  3. Location in time or space of an event (to take place):
    • ¿Dónde / cuándo es el partido?  Where / when is the game?
    • Los exámenes son a la una y a las tres.  The exams are at one and at three.
    • La boda será en la iglesia a las tres. The wedding will take place in the church at 3:00.
  4. Combined with de with the following meanings:
    1. Geographical origin:
      • Soy de New Jersey.  ¿Y tú, de dónde eres?  I'm from New Jersey.  Where are you from?
    2. Composition (to be made of):
      • ¿Es de vidrio o de plástico esta botella?  Is this bottle made of glass or of plastic?
    3. Possession:
      • La mochila es del señor López.  The backpack belongs to Mr. López.
  5. Used before past participle to form the passive construction:
    • Esas clases son dadas por los mejores instructores.  Those classes are given by the best instructors.
    • Esa película no fue filmada en Hollywood.  That movie was not filmed in Hollywood.
    • Mi coche será vendido mañana. My car will be sold tomorrow.
USES OF ESTAR
  1. Location of anything physical (person, object, country, etc.):
    • Mi hermano está en Maine.  My brother is in Maine.
    • Esas tiendas están detrás del correo.  Those stores are behind the post office.
    • ¿Dónde está Cádiz?  Where is Cádiz?
  2. Before adjectives (or *adjectival phrases) that describe non-inherent qualities, or qualities that seem atypical or  cause a reaction in the speaker (note):
    • ¿Cómo estás?  Estoy bien, gracias.  How are you?  I'm fine, thanks.  
    • Estoy aburrido.  Prende la tele, Ernesto.  I'm bored.  Turn on the TV, Ernesto.
    • Este jugo de naranja está muy agrio.   This orange juice is very sour.
    • ¡Qué flaca está esa chica!  How thin that girl is (looks)!
    • El jefe *está de vacaciones. The boss is on vacation.
  3. With past participles that describe a change or the result of an action:
    • Está despejado / nublado.  It's clear / cloudy.
    • ¿Están vivos o muertos sus abuelos?  Are his grandparents living or dead?
    • La puerta está abierta.
  4. With present participle in the progressive construction:
    • Estoy estudiando.  No me interrumpas.  I'm studying.  Don't interrupt me.
    • Ellas estaban almorzando cuando llegamos.  They were having lunch when we arrived.
 
CONTRASTS: USES OF SER/ESTAR WITH ADJECTIVES  
Either ser or estar can be used in front of many predicate adjectives, including past participles. The choice of one or the other respresents an application of one of the above rules, and serves a particular descriptive purpose.
  • Many adjectives are used with ser when the inherent nature of something or someone is being described, and with estar when the quality is seen as unexpected or out of the ordinary, or causes an emotional response in the speaker:
    • Ese señor es rico. That man's (a) rich (person).
    • El señor está rico.That man's rich (he's had a recent windfall).
    • Julia es muy guapa. Julia is (a) very nice-looking (person).
    • Julia está muy guapa esta noche. Julia looks very pretty tonight.
  • Some adjectives change meaning depending on ser/estar choice; click here for some common examples.
  • With past participles, ser is used in the passive structure to say that the subject undergoes an action, estar to say that it is in a particular state as a result of an action:
    • La puerta es cerrada a las 3:00 por el dependiente. The door is closed at three by the clerk.
    • La puerta está cerrada ahora. The door is closed now.
    • La civilización fue establecida por los indígenas. The civilization was established by the indigenous peoples.
    • La ciudad ya estaba establecida cuando llegaron los exploradores. The city was already established when the explorers arrived.
 
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