Difference Between Ser and Estar in Spanish

The question here is Ser or Estar?. Both Spanish words mean To-be in English language. So where to use what and what's the difference between ser and estar? Let’s read below.

In Spanish, the verb Ser is used to  describe and express different concepts ex relations which are permanent in nature. Ser is also used as per below.

1) Ser is used to Describe Someone’s Identity or Something in Nature
2) Use Ser to Describe Exact Location of an Event
3) Use Ser to Describe Relationships
4) Use Ser to Express Ownership
5) Use Ser to Talk about or Express Time
6) Use Ser to Describe Weather of a Place

Use the verb ser to describe Exactly about People or Animals or to describe Objects. You can also use ser to describe ideas and emotions. 

Estar is used for refer to things which are Temporary or not in permanent state and for locations. 
Ser is also to be used to refer or talk about permanent states of things, or characteristics which are definite. 

Ser is used to Talk about your relations with someone ie your family, Friends. You can use Ser to describe how close you are to someone by talking or expressing a relationship. Ex Brother, Grandmother, Father, Son, Sister in Law, Nephew. 

Ser is used to express ownership of an object or things. You can use Ser to talk about things you own or things that belong to you. You also need to refer to  Spanish Preposition De. 

Ser is used to express events happened at exact time. Ex My lunch is at 2 PM Today.  You have to be aware of the fact for using “es” Vs “son”. Use “es” when you talk about one o’clock however “son” is used to talk about the hours from two to twelve.

Ser is used to talk about permanent things ex London is a cold place. Es is used here meaning 'It Is'. Its hot in Dubai.

In Spanish Language, Estar is used to describe Someone's Mood or Feeling's, Someone's health, A Particular location, An ongoing actions, Or particular opinion in terms of taste or someone's appearance.
Please review Examples below:

Use Estar to talk about your feelings and mood at a particular moment. Estar is also used to express health or feelings of a person at a given time. 

Estar is used to talk about ongoing activity, action not permanent in nature. Estar describes progressive action ex Working, jumping, studying, helping etc.

Estar is also used to talk about taste or your opinion about food, or appearance. Ex you are looking beautiful this evening, or this chicken vindaloo is little spicy. 

Use Estar to talk about location of someone or something at a particular moment.

Estar is also used to talk about weather at a specific moment ex Its windy today, its snowing this afternoon.

Both Verbs i.e Ser and Estar can be used with past participles ex "To Be". It is recommended that you should use the past participle and Ser in passive constructions while describing an action. 

For permanent qualities of things, use Ser however to describe temporary things Estar is used. If you are not sure which to use where, try thinking about very 'To Be' in the sentence.