This is a complicated question that takes a lot of time to master, but you should start off with the general notion that "ser" refers to more permanents things, whereas "estar" is more temporary. Soy de Colorado. - permanent, you will always be from where you're from Estoy en la cocina. - my temporary location Soy alta. - permanent, physical characteristic Estoy triste. - current emotion, state of mind Es médico. - professions, while they can be argued to be temporary, use 'ser' Está pintando. - temporary activity Sometimes the choice of the verb can affect the meaning of the rest of the sentence: Estoy lista = I'm ready (right now) Soy lista = I'm smart/clever (permanent characteristic) ¿Cómo está? = How is she? ¿Cómo es? = What is she like? Some situations will just always use one instead of the other. Example: telling time with ser ¿Qué hora es? Son las cinco. While you're learning Spanish just be observant and pay attention to when you hear "ser" and when you hear 'estar", and soon it will become second nature! Hope this helps!

yo soy es del verbo ser. Yo soy alto. I am tall. Yo estoy en casa. I am at home. The first if do you explain for your appearence and the second for a location. Yo estoy en el parque. I am in the park. Yo soy mas mayor que Ben. I am older than Ben.

Tommy, Sally's answer is the correct answer, as she said, the only difference is permanent versus temporary.