The difference between the verbs 'ser' and 'estar'?

As you know, both of the verbs mean 'to be', which is quite confusing! However, in Spanish unlike English, for different contexts and meanings, we use a different version of 'to be.' Ser is a verb which implies permance, or something very long term. We use or interpret it in this way. For example:Soy inteligente- I am intelligent.We use 'ser' as it is describing a characteristic of a person. This implies something more long term and more permament, than for example:Estoy harto - I am fed-upThis is a temporary state of feeling and being, unlike a characteristic.Another key difference is we use estar for place:Eg: Estoy en el estadio- I am in the stadium. 

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Answered by Henry P. Spanish tutor

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