Spanish Ser vs Estar

Permanent or defining traits. Mnemonic DOCTOR: Description, Occupation, Characteristic, Time, Origin, Relationship. Soy alta. Es médico. Son las tres. Somos de Perú.

States and location. Mnemonic PLACE: Position, Location, Action (progressive), Condition, Emotion. Estoy en casa. Estamos comiendo. Está enfermo.

ser. Events take ser for where they take place; people and things take estar. La fiesta es en mi casa. Mi casa está en el centro.

My sister is a teacher. Occupation → ser.

We are from Colombia. Origin → ser.

Today is Monday. Days and dates → ser.

It's four thirty. Clock time → ser.

Juan is my boyfriend. Relationship → ser.

The table is made of wood. Material → ser.

The concert is at the stadium. Event location → ser.

Madrid is in the center of Spain. Location → estar.

Today I'm very tired. Temporary condition → estar.

Why are you sad? Emotion → estar.

We are studying for the exam. Progressive (estar + gerund) → estar.

The soup is cold (right now). Condition → estar.

My grandfather is dead. Death is treated as a state → estar.

The door is open. Resulting state (estar + participle) → estar.

My brother is tall and nice. Description, characteristics → ser.

This book is boring. ser aburrido = boring; estar aburrido = bored.

The students are bored. estar aburrido = bored.

Ana is clever. ser listo = clever; estar listo = ready.

Are you ready? We're leaving. estar listo = ready.

Green apples are sour. ser verde = green in color; estar verde = unripe.

This banana is still unripe. estar verde = unripe.

The paella tastes so good! estar rico = delicious (food); ser rico = rich.