You probably know different adjectives to describe a person’s personality. Now we are going to see them back and see if they can actually be used in a temporary idea. Let’s pick one of those adjectives to see a clear example. Let’s see NERVIOSO (nervous):
→ Verbo ESTAR (To be temporary)
YO ESTOY NERVIOSO
I AM NERVOUS
→ Now let’s try the same phrase with verbo SER (To be permanent)
YO SOY NERVIOSO
I AM NERVOUS
Do you think both expressions right above are right? Can a person be nervous permanently and temporarily? Yes, a person can be a nervous person, and, also can be a calm person, but, it depends on what situations such as an interview, date, meeting….can get nervous.
YO ESTOY NERVIOSO ⇔ CORRECT
I AM NICE
(nervous in a specific moment)
YO SOY NERVIOSO ⇔ CORRECT
I AM NICE
(A nervous person permanently)
One more example with LOCO (crazy):
→ Verbo ESTAR (To be temporary):
YO ESTOY LOCO
I AM CRAZY
→ Now let’s try the same phrase with verbo SER (To be permanent):
YO SOY LOCO
I AM CRAZY
Do you think both expressions right above are right? Can a person be crazy permanently and temporarily? NO. We know that people think that, eventually, people can act and do crazy stuff, but, in grammar terms, we believe that being crazy is a very serious mental illness, so, as a disease, it can be healed, even though some people remain crazy forever. Therefore:
YO ESTOY LOCO ⇔ CORRECT
I AM CRAZY
YO SOY LOCO ⇔ INCORRECT
I AM CRAZY