Ser vs Estar in Spanish: Using ser in Spanish (not estar) to express an essential characteristic
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Ser vs Estar in Spanish: essential characteristics
When we want to describe an essential characteristic of something or someone we use the verb ser (not estar).
For example:
España es un país europeo.Spain is a European country.
Yo soy baja.I am short.
¿Tú eres alta?Are you tall?
In the examples above, we use ser to talk about physical descriptions.
Antonio es un chico muy trabajador.Antonio is a very hard-working guy.
Nosotras somos estudiosas.We are studious.
Vosotros dos no sois sensatos.You two are not sensible.
¡Mis hermanos son fantásticos!My brothers are fantastic!
In the examples above, we use ser to talk about the character/personality.
Note that we use ser for characteristics that we see as part of what someone or something is; We use ser to describe characteristics that we see as part of a person or thing's identity or nature. These characteristics don’t have to be permanent forever. What matters is that we are describing what someone or something is like, rather than how they are at a particular moment.
Ana es alta.Ana is tall.
Pedro es tímido.Pedro is shy.
El café es caro.The coffee is expensive.
Ana might become shorter when she gets older, Pedro might become more confident and the café might lower its prices. That doesn't stop us from using ser. At the time we're describing them, we see these characteristics as part of what they are like, not as a temporary state or condition.
See also Conjugate ser in the present tense in Spanish (El Presente)
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