Both Ser and Estar mean "to Be", but in different ways. Let's review the different uses of each verb.

Ser is used with: Elements pertinent to your identity: physical description, personality and character, nationality, race, gender, profession, origen Things which "Take Place" or "Occur": Dates, days, seasons, time, events, concerts, parties What things are made of Possession Review Ser!

Estar is used with Feelings/moods/emotions, physical conditions or appearances, civil status (married, single, divorced, dead) Location of things and people (but not events) Present Progressive tense (the immediate "-ing" form) Review Estar!

Ser vs. Estar

Some adjectives have different meanings depending upon which form of "to Be" you use.  Generally, if you use Ser, the adjective is a characteristic of the person or thing you are describing; whereas if you use Estar, it is a description of a mood or appearance.

For example:

Ser (Identity)

Estar (Condition)

Él es aburrido. (He is boring -a boring person)  Soy nerviosa. (I am a nervous, high-strung person) Ella es bonita. (She is pretty -a pretty girl.)

Yo estoy aburrida. (I am [feel] bored.) Estoy nerviosa. (I am/feel nervous) Está bonita. (She looks pretty. )

You may have heard that Ser is used for things which are permanent and Estar is used for things which are temporary. This is an over-simplification and not a good way to think of these verbs because you will end up with a lot of exceptions and confusion. Try to forget you ever heard that.

It is better to remember that Ser pertains to Identity (with all of its elements) and that Estar pertains to States of Being: Condition, Location, and the Present Progressive.