I will give a short introduction in order to explain the difference, right? John is beautiful -> Indicates essence: John is beautiful today, John will be beautiful tomorrow. John is beautiful today -> Indicates something that may to be passenger: John is beautiful today, but may not be beautiful tomorrow. In the above case the verb "to be" indicates essence and state.  * state = something that can to be passenger In the Portuguese, don't exist a verb to indicate essence and state. Different verbs are used: the "to be" in Portuguese is the verb "ser" and is the verb "estar" The verb "ser" indicates essence. The verb "estar" indicates state. Examples: Verb "ser" João é bonito (John is beautiful) -> Indicates essence: John is beautiful today, John will be beautiful tomorrow. * "é" is the conjugation of the verb "ser" (essence) in present tense Verb "estar" João está bonito (John is beautiful) -> Indicates something that may to be passenger: John is beautiful today, but may not be beautiful tomorrow. * "está" is the conjugation of the verb "estar" (state) in present tense It "Era" or "Estava"? "Era" is the conjugation of the verb "ser" (essence) in past tense. "Estava" is the conjugation of the verb "estar" (state) in past tense. * As the verb "to be" can be translated as "ser" or "estar" in present tense, so, "era" or "estava" can be translated as the verb "to be" in past tense. I have helped you :)

"Ela estava bonita ontem". ("She looked beautiful yesterday", but today, without that fancy dress and makeup she looks ugly) "Ele era um empregado." ("He was an employee" , but now he is the owner.)

Hello Alex. There is an article here in Italki that can be useful for you: https://www.italki.com/article/718/Eu-tinha%3F-Eu-tive%3F:-How-To-Use-Past-Tenses-In-Portuguese

First of all both verbs are in a verbal tense called: "pretérito imperfeito", you'll find an explanation regarding this verbal tense in this blog post for example: https://www.inglesnapontadalingua.com.br/2014/03/preterito-imperfeito-em-ingles.html So... "Era" is the "pretérito imperfeito" of the verb "ser" "Estava" is the "pretérito imperfeito" of the verb "estar" I found this sentence in a blog that might help you remember or understand the difference between "ser" and "estar" as both are translated in english as "to be": "Ser is for intrinsic, somewhat permanent caracteristics, whereas Estar is for temporary passing things" And this article on italki: https://www.italki.com/article/352/to-be-or-to-be-using-ser-vs-estar-in-portuguese Examples: Pelé era um bom jogador de futebol. (He was a good soccer player - and the ideia here is that he still remains one) Estava frio semana passada. (It was cold last week - but the ideia here is that it isn't cold anymore)

Alex, em inglês o verbo "to be" pode dar a noção para ser e estar. Em português, temos os verbos distintos "ser" e "estar". O "era" é o passado de "ser". Ex.: Aquela flor era a favorita de Maria. O "estava" é o passado de "estar". Ex.: Maria estava em Roma ontem ou Maria esteve em Roma ontem. Abraço