Ser vs. Estar
Both verbs: ser and estar both mean "to be." However, they are not used the same way and have their differences in Spanish. Here are the main differences between the two verbs.
Estar:
1) Used for locations or position
2) To describe the state or condition of someone / something
3) Used for progressive tenses (gerund tense or -ing)
Examples of Estar:
1) Estoy en mi casa. (I am in my house) "My location"
2) El hombre está vivo. (The man is alive (lively).) "The man's condition"
3) Estoy bailando. (I am dancing) "Progressive (-ing)"
Ser:
1) Describes or identifys objects
2) Shows the quality or characteristic of subject
3) Time and dates with impersonal expressions
4) Actions with past participle
Examples of Ser:
1) Juan es bajo. (Juan is short) "Describes Juan"
2) La camisa es de lana. (The shirt is made of wool) "Describes characteristic of the shirt"
3) Hoy es el seis de enero. (Today is January the sixth) "Date"
4) Los perros fueron tomados. (The dogs were taken) "Past participle "
Questions
1) Está / Es de madura. (It is made of wood)
2) Estoy / Soy enfermo. (I am sick)