Question

What's the difference between ser and estar and how do I use them?

Answer 1

What they are is tricky tricky. But to truly understand, you must alter your way of seeing the world. To a Spanish-speaker, some things “are” a certain way because it’s how/what they were intended to be long-term. Other things are likely to change, whether it be quickly or not. So the inherent difference between the two verbs is simply how “long term” (SER) or “short term” something is intended, or expected “to be”.

Examples:

“Yo SOY profesora” (My profession is expected to be something long term, not something that will change on a frequent basis.))

“Yo ESTOY en el supermercado.” ((My location can change frequently. Where I am right now is where I will be for only a short amount of time.)

Answer 2

Ser: it means BEING something, or want a thing or describing the characteristcs of someone.

Estar: it means BEING on a place, or expressing a feeling or what are you doing in present.

(It can also be conjugated, like:

ESTAR:

Yo estoy

Tu estas

El/Ella esta

Nosotros estamos

Ustedes/Vosotros están/estáis

Ellos/Ellas Están

SER:

Yo soy

Tu eres

El/Ella es

Nosotros somos

Ustedes/Vosotros son/sois

Ellos/Ellas son

Examples:

Ser: Yo quiero SER doctor cuando sea grande./ When I grow up I want to be a doctor

Yo quiero SER tu esposo./ I want to be your husband.

Yo quiero SER un perro/ I want to be a dog

Nosotros SOMOS grandes/ We are big

Tu ERES bonito/ You are handsome

Estar: Yo quiero ESTAR en España/ I want to be on Spain.

Yo quiero ESTAR feliz./ I want to be happy.

Yo ESTOY bien/ I am fine.

Nosotros ESTAMOS cansados/ We are tired

Ellos ESTAN en Paris/ They are in Paris

I hope this can help you :)