When to use the verb "Ser" and when to use "Estar"

[Sir Senor]

Originally Posted by AngelicaDeAlquezar

Be careful. Some women may find that offensive.

Really?

Also, am I right in think that 'ser' is used to describe a 2nd or 3rd party and 'soy' is for oneself?

[Rusty]

'Ser' is the infinitive. 'Soy' is the first person in the present indicative tense. There are second- and third-person forms, as well. Each person has a singular and a plural form. So, in the present indicative tense, there are six different conjugations of 'ser'.
To wit:

Present Indicative Tense

Singular Person		Plural Person
1st - (yo)	soy	(nosotros, -as)	somos
2nd - (tú)	eres	(vosotros, -as)	sois
3rd - él	es	ellos	son
3rd - ella	es	ellas	son
3rd - usted	es	ustedes	son

The personal pronouns in parentheses are optional because the corresponding conjugation is unique. The third-person personal pronouns are needed to clarify which individual is being referenced/addressed.

The table above is just for the present indicative tense. There are fourteen other conjugation charts for 'ser'. Have a look at a verb conjugation chart here.

[AngelicaDeAlquezar]

Originally Posted by ProClifo

Jessica está muy buena ☺☺☺ Hehehehe

Originally Posted by AngelicaDeAlquezar

Be careful. Some women may find that offensive.

Originally Posted by Sir Senor

Really?

Sometimes the use of "ser" or "estar" changes the meaning of a sentence.
Saying "Jessica está muy buena" means that she is hot (having a sexual connotation). But if you say "Jessica es muy buena", you mean she's a good person.

[Sir Senor]

Originally Posted by Rusty

'Ser' is the infinitive. 'Soy' is the first person in the present indicative tense. There are second- and third-person forms, as well. Each person has a singular and a plural form. So, in the present indicative tense, there are six different conjugations of 'ser'.
To wit:

Present Indicative Tense

The personal pronouns in parentheses are optional because the corresponding conjugation is unique. The third-person personal pronouns are needed to clarify which individual is being referenced/addressed.

The table above is just for the present indicative tense. There are fourteen other conjugation charts for 'ser'. Have a look at a verb conjugation chart here.

I found that slightly confusing at first. I think I understand the basic gist of that now.

Originally Posted by AngelicaDeAlquezar

Sometimes the use of "ser" or "estar" changes the meaning of a sentence.
Saying "Jessica está muy buena" means that she is hot (having a sexual connotation). But if you say "Jessica es muy buena", you mean she's a good person.

That rings a bell, I think I've heard that before actually. Thanks for explaning

[sigifredo]

a very usefull summary I guess
thanks.

[mariposa0301]

Hola a todos

?Alguien sabe si se puede poner "ser" en vez de "estar" en esta frase:

Creo que la pelicula ha estado un poco aburrida a ratos, pero en general ha estado muy bien.

?Podemos decir: Creo que la pelicula ha sido aburrida?
?Cual es la diferencia?

Perdón por la falta de acentos

[pacomartin123]

I was a little confused by the translation of "I was cheated".

Because this sounds like a temporary state, my first guess was to use "estar", but I was told to use "ser".

1)Estuve engañado
2)Fuí engañado
3)Me engañaron

Which is the preferred way to say "I was cheated"? Does (1) make any sense at all?

[chileno]

1)Estuve engañado todos estos años = I was blind all these years

2)Fuí engañado = I was cheated.

3)Me engañaron = They cheated me

Would that help?

[Rusty]

Originally Posted by pacomartin123

I was a little confused by the translation of "I was cheated".

Because this sounds like a temporary state, my first guess was to use "estar", but I was told to use "ser".

1)Estuve engañado
2)Fuí engañado
3)Me engañaron

Which is the preferred way to say "I was cheated"? Does (1) make any sense at all?

This isn't a question about temporary or permanent, which is not a good determiner anyway. You were told to use 'ser' because it is used to directly translate the passive voice into Spanish.
The passive voice is used a lot in English, but not as much in Spanish.

Number 3 is the best option out of the three you gave, but the very best option is to use the impersonal 'se' construct. Next best would be to use the 'pasiva refleja' construct.

[Liquinn3]

Originally Posted by Rusty

This isn't a question about temporary or permanent, which is not a good determiner anyway. You were told to use 'ser' because it is used to directly translate the passive voice into Spanish.
The passive voice is used a lot in English, but not as much in Spanish.

Number 3 is the best option out of the three you gave, but the very best option is to use the impersonal 'se' construct. Next best would be to use the 'pasiva refleja' construct.

I agree with Rusty. Ser is more to do with the person, such as:
Soy hombre.
Soy inteligente.

Etc etc.

I think of 'Estar' as being to how I'm feeling or what I'm doing in the moment, por ejemplo.

Estoy bien.
Estoy de vacaciones.
Estoy cansando.
Estoy feliz.