Here's a breakdown:
Estar + Past Participle:
* Temporary: The action is finished, but its effects are still present.
* Focus on the state: The sentence focuses on how the subject is as a result of the action.
* Example: "La puerta está cerrada." (The door is closed - a temporary state, the door could be opened later.)
Ser + Past Participle:
* Permanent: The action has been completed, and it has changed the subject's inherent nature.
* Focus on the subject's identity: The sentence emphasizes what the subject is, as a result of the action.
* Example: "La puerta es de madera." (The door is made of wood - a permanent characteristic, the door will always be made of wood.)
Important Note: Some verbs can be used with both *ser* and *estar* with the past participle, and the meaning changes. For example:
* "El libro está escrito en español." (The book is written in Spanish - temporary state, it could be translated into another language).
* "El libro es escrito por John Doe." (The book is written by John Doe - permanent characteristic, it was written by John Doe and will always be attributed to him).
Understanding the subtle differences between using *estar* and *ser* with the past participle is essential for accurate Spanish grammar.