How to use the verbs SER y ESTAR

Description of permanent characteristics: Personality: She is intelligent / Ella es inteligente.

Physical characteristics: He is tall / Él es alto.

Origin and nationality: I am Spanish / Yo soy española.

Occupation: She is a teacher / Ella es maestra.

Identification: Relationships: We are friends / Nosotros somos amigos.

Identifying things or people: That is my car / Este es mi carro.

Time and date: Today is Monday. It is three in the afternoon / Hoy es lunes. Son las tres de la tarde.

Origin and material: The book is made of paper. I am from Madrid / El libro es de papel. Yo soy de Madrid.

Possession: The book is mine / El libro es mio.

Temporary states

Emotions: I'm happy. / Yo estoy contento.

Physical conditions: I'm tired / Yo estoy cansado.

Location: The book is on the table. We are in the park / Nosotros estamos en el parque.

Actions in progress (with the gerund): I'm eating. They are working / Nosotros estamos comiendo. Elos están trabajando.

Changing states: The soup is cold. The sky is cloudy / La sopa está fría. El cielo etá nublado.