AvoidLa reunión está en la oficina central.
SayLa reuniĂłn es en la oficina central.
Both ser and estar mean “to be,” but Spanish uses them for different kinds of information. The useful question is not simply “permanent or temporary?” It is what kind of information am I giving?
Use ser for identity and definition
- Soy estudiante. — I am a student.
- Marta es mi hermana. — Marta is my sister.
- El café es colombiano. — The coffee is Colombian.
- La reunión es a las tres. — The meeting is at three.
Events use ser for their location: La fiesta es en mi casa.
Use estar for condition and location
- Estoy cansado. — I am tired.
- La puerta está abierta. — The door is open.
- Madrid está en España. — Madrid is in Spain.
- Mis llaves están en la mesa. — My keys are on the table.
People, objects, cities, and countries normally use estar for location. Events are the important exception.
Meaning can change
- Es aburrido: He is boring.
- Está aburrido: He is bored.
The adjective stays the same, but the verb changes the idea from a defining quality to a current condition.
When you hesitate, name the information first: identity, event, condition, or location. Then choose the verb.