One of the difficult things for English speakers to learn in Portuguese is to distinguish between estar and ser, which both mean to be. Let’s review this very important concept.

First, let’s take a look at how we conjugate both in the present simple tense, since they have similar conjugations.

ser

eu sou

tu és

ele/ela/você é

nós estamos somos

eles/elas/vocês são

estar

eu estou

tu estás

ele/ela/você está

nós estamos

eles/elas/vocês estão

Next, let’s look at how we use each.

Ser is used for permanent conditions, permanent physical characteristics, to describe a profession or nationality, or location.

Sou muito alta. I’m very tall.

A menina é angolana. The girl is Angolan.

Ele é bombeiro. He’s a fireman.

O prédio famoso é na França. The famous building is in France.

Estar is used for temporary or transient conditions.

Você está muito doente. You’re very sick.

Nós estamos com fome. We’re hungry.

O pássaro está na gaiola. The bird is in the cage.

A pizza está quente. The pizza is hot.

It’s important to note that the main difference between the two is that ser is used for something that is hard or impossible to change or defines something or someone, while estar is used for something happening temporarily that can easily change.

Finally, let’s look at the two side by side.

Caramba, você está linda! Wow, you look pretty!

In this case, the beauty is understood as being a temporary condition, with an implied “now” or “today” as a part of the statement.

Caramba, voce é linda! Wow, you’re pretty!

This is a compliment, since it means the girl is beautiful, all the time, as something that defines her.