Here are my tips:

1) Learn the rule of thumb for the Spanish Verb Estar

It may sound very logical but understanding the rule will help you use the verb to be in a correct way. Understanding means not only memorizing it but giving it a cultural and logical context.

"Ser" and "estar" are used in specific contexts, which can be tricky to master:

• "Ser" is used for permanent traits, identities, professions, time, and origin (essential qualities).

Example: "Ella es doctora." (She is a doctor.)

• "Estar" is used for temporary states, conditions, emotions, and locations.

Example: "Ella está cansada." (She is tired.)

But what happens, when the cultural use overlaps the general use. By instance:

We might say "está guapo" (he looks handsome) to describe someone's appearance today, even if they are generally attractive. This kind of detail can add another layer of difficulty for learners, but today we are going to explore how to correctly use the verbs estar.

2) Don't question the Different uses of the spanish verb Estar, just learn them as they are

Try to memorize the most common uses of the following rules without analyzing them too much, but rather accepting that each language is different and that learning it always includes a feeling of acceptance and avoiding trying to control the situation, and although it sounds very holistic, just let it be.

1. Temporary Conditions or States

Physical or emotional states.

1. Estoy cansado  (I am tired.) These examples highlight conditions or emotions that can change over time, which is why **"estar"** is used.
2. Estás enfermo (You are sick.)
3. Ella está feliz hoy (She is happy today.)
4. Estamos ocupados** con el trabajo  (We are busy with work.)
5. Están nerviosos por el examen (They are nervous about the exam.)
6. El café está caliente (The coffee is hot.)
7. La puerta está cerrada  (The door is closed.)
8. Estoy emocionado por las vacaciones. (I am excited about the vacation.)
9. El agua está fría (The water is cold.)
10. Mi perro está triste porque no salimos a pasear.    (My dog is sad because we didn’t go for a walk.)

2. Location

This is a confusing topic for some students, since a building is not temporary or changing, but we must remember that the language has its exceptions and special uses and locacion is one of them, we are going to refer to the location with the verb estar, for example:

Here are 10 examples using the verb **"estar"** to describe **location** in Spanish:

1. Estoy en casa (I am at home.)
2. El libro está sobre la mesa  (The book is on the table.)
3. Estamos en la oficina  (We are at the office.)
4. Ellos están en la playa  (They are at the beach.)
5. ¿Dónde estás?  (Where are you?)
6. El baño está al fondo del pasillo  (The bathroom is at the end of the hallway.)
7. Mi coche está en el garaje  (My car is in the garage.)
8. El restaurante está cerca del parque (The restaurant is near the park.)
9. La escuela está lejos de aquí (The school is far from here.)
10. ¿Está tu hermano en su habitación? (Is your brother in his room?)

Exception

In all these examples, **"estar"** is used to describe the **physical location** of people, objects, or places.

Event thought Describes where someone or something is (but not events):

Here are 5 examples using the verb **"ser"** in Spanish to describe the **location or time of events**:

1. La fiesta es en mi casa (The party is at my house.)
2. La reunión será mañana a las 3 p.m.  (The meeting will be tomorrow at 3 p.m.)
3. El concierto es en el teatro principal (The concert is at the main theater.)
4. La boda será el próximo sábado  (The wedding will be next Saturday.)
5. El examen es en el aula 101 (The exam is in room 101.)

In these cases, **"ser"** is used to indicate the **time and place** of an event, which is a permanent or established fact for that particular occasion.

3. Present Progressive

We use the verb estar conjugated in combination with the gerund, this is the tense that expresses an action that is being carried out at this moment, known in English as the continuous present. Used with the gerund (-ando, -iendo) to form ongoing actions.

Here are 10 examples using the **present continuous** (presente progresivo) with the verb **"estar"** in Spanish:

1. Estoy estudiando para el examen.  (I am studying for the exam.)
2. Estás comiendo pizza (You are eating pizza.)
3. Ella está leyendo un libro interesante (She is reading an interesting book.)
4. Estamos trabajando en un proyecto importante (We are working on an important project.)
5. Ellos están jugando al fútbol.  (They are playing soccer.)
6. Mi hermano está durmiendo ahora (My brother is sleeping right now.)
7. Estamos viendo una película  (We are watching a movie.)
8. Estás aprendiendo español muy rápido (You are learning Spanish very quickly.)
9. La profesora está explicando la lección  (The teacher is explaining the lesson.)
10. El perro está corriendo en el parque (The dog is running in the park.)

In all these examples, **"estar"** is used with the gerund (-ando, -iendo) to indicate **ongoing actions**.

3) Memorizing the change in Meaning Based on Context or cultural usage

Finally, culture has created a great influence on the changes in language, sometimes I like to think that there is an explanation for everything, but sometimes it is just a usual way of expressing ourselves and the best thing is, as I mentioned before, to memorize the phrases and be proud of using the language in a cultural context!

Certain adjectives can have different meanings depending on whether you use "ser" or "estar". Here are some common examples:

• Ser listo (to be smart) vs. Estar listo (to be ready).
• Ser bueno (to be good, morally or generally) vs. Estar bueno (to be tasty or in good health).
• Ser malo (to be bad, morally or in character) vs. Estar malo (to be ill or in poor condition).
• Ser rico (to be rich, wealthy) vs. Estar rico (to taste delicious).

Expressions of Time and Date – "Ser"

Even though time can be seen as changing or temporary, "ser" is always used to express time and dates.

• Example:
  Son las tres de la tarde. (It is 3 PM.)
  Hoy es lunes. (Today is Monday.)
  Es el 20 de septiembre. (It is September 20th.)

Passive Voice with "Ser"

When forming the passive voice (to indicate that something is being done), "ser" is used with a past participle.

• Example:
  La comida fue preparada por el chef. (The food was prepared by the chef.)

"Estar" for Unexpected or Unusual Situations

Sometimes, "estar" can be used in contexts that would normally take "ser" when something is unexpected or different from the norm.

• Example:
  Estás muy alto para tu edad. (You are very tall for your age.)
  Normally, height would be considered a permanent characteristic and would use "ser", but here it's used because it’s considered unusual for the situation.

"Estar" with "muerto" (dead)

Even though being dead is a permanent state, "estar" is used with "muerto". I like to think that is because our catholic language background where dead is not the last stage in life, but of course this is just a theory. 

• Example:
  Mi abuelo está muerto. (My grandfather is dead.)

Music is not just fun but an incredible way to improve your vocabulary, being able to translate your favorite songs will improve your understanding of the language. As a bonus, you’ll appreciate the music a lot more once you can understand the lyrics instead of them being incomprehensible.

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