essere
to be
As the number one verb, it's no surprise that it occurs in a multitude of contexts and expressions. To start with, let's focus on its use in three areas: Describing what it is, what it's like, and where it is.
ESSERE - What it is
ESSERE can be used to describe what something is...
ESSERE - What it's like
ESSERE can also be used to describe the physical characteristics or personality traits of the thing in question, as well as it's nationality or place of origin.
ESSERE - Where it is
ESSERE can also be used to describe where something is…
ESSERE vs. STARE
ESSERE is NOT used to describe your current mood… that's the verb STARE which sometimes is translated as "to stay". Italian uses STARE and not ESSERE, because STARE describes temporary states and ESSERE is used to describe more permanent or lasting ways of being.
What are you like? (as in your general characteristics— either physically or personality-wise)
IO SONO & LORO SONO
to be
'ESSERE' is the most commonly used verb! It is used to describe a plethora of people of places and also occurs in other verb tenses.
It is easy to remember its meaning because it's related to the English word essence — or the intrinsic nature of something— what something REALLY IS.
ESSERE in the Present Tense
It is easy to remember its meaning because it's related to the English word essence — or the intrinsic nature of something— what something REALLY IS.
ESSERE in the Present Tense
It is an irregular verb— meaning it does not follow a predictable pattern of conjugation— but don't worry! You'll use it so much that you'll have it memorized in no time.
As the number one verb, it's no surprise that it occurs in a multitude of contexts and expressions. To start with, let's focus on its use in three areas: Describing what it is, what it's like, and where it is.
ESSERE - What it is
ESSERE can be used to describe what something is...
essere… to be…
un ragazzo
a boy
una ragazza
a girl
un animale
an animal
una rosa
a rose
È un ragazzo.
He's a boy.
Sei una ragazza.
You're a girl.
L'elefante è un animale.
The elephant is an animal.
Queste sono rose.
These are roses.
ESSERE - What it's like
ESSERE can also be used to describe the physical characteristics or personality traits of the thing in question, as well as it's nationality or place of origin.
essere… to be…
alto
tall
basso
short
La mia amica è bassa.
My friend is short.
Sono alta.
I am tall.
My friend is short.
essere… to be…
intelligente
intelligent
stupido
stupid
ottimista
optimistic
pessimista
pessimistic
stupido
stupid
ottimista
optimistic
pessimista
pessimistic
Siete stupidi!
You're all dumb!
Perché sei così pessimista?
Why are you so pessimistic?
essere… to be…
americano
American
inglese
English
italiano
Italian
spagnolo
Spanish
di Los Angeles
from Los Angeles
inglese
English
italiano
Italian
spagnolo
Spanish
di Los Angeles
from Los Angeles
di Madrid
from Spain
Maria e José sono di Madrid—sono spagnoli.
Maria and José are from Madrid, they are Spanish.
Lui è di San Francisco ed io sono di Los Angeles— siamo americani.
He is from San Francisco and I am from Los Angeles, we are American.
ESSERE can also be used to describe where something is…
essere… to be…
a Roma.
in Rome.
in Italia.
in Italy.
all'angolo.
on the corner.
sul tavolo.
on the table.
in Italia.
in Italy.
all'angolo.
on the corner.
sul tavolo.
on the table.
Il Colosseo è a Roma.
The colosseum is in Rome.
Le pizzerie migliori sono in Italia.
The best pizzerias are in Italy.
Il bar è all'angolo.
The bar's on the corner.
Le chiavi sono sul tavolo.
The keys are on the table.
ESSERE is NOT used to describe your current mood… that's the verb STARE which sometimes is translated as "to stay". Italian uses STARE and not ESSERE, because STARE describes temporary states and ESSERE is used to describe more permanent or lasting ways of being.
Come stai? (STARE)
How are you? (as in your current mood or state)
Come sei? (ESSERE)What are you like? (as in your general characteristics— either physically or personality-wise)
Did you notice that the IO (I) and LORO (they) forms are the same? This might be confusing at first since Italian doesn't always include the pronouns and you'll often just see "SONO" alone, but you can use context to figure it out.
For example, the following nouns and adjectives will be in the SINGULAR for IO and in the PLURAL for LORO.
Sono una persona intelligente.
I am an intelligent person.
Sono intelligenti.
They are intelligent.
In English, we use the pronoun "it" when the subject is an inanimate object or when the subject is an abstract concept:
It is red. (IT= The book)
It is strange that… (IT is abstract)
In both cases, Italian uses no pronoun. Instead, è is used alone and the "it" is implied:
È rosso.
It's red.
È strano che...
It's strange that...
CI + ESSERE
As we covered in a previous lesson, ESSERE is combined with "CI" to talk about What there is/What there are.
To review this concept, please see: C'è & Ci sono.
REVIEW & PRACTICE
As I said, there are MANY ways to use the verb 'ESSERE', which we'll cover more in depth later. In the meantime, get comfortable with the present tense conjugations and practice what you've learned by printing & completing the exercises on pages 16 & 17 of the Beginner's Italian Workbook*.
*not currently available on mobile devices!
*not currently available on mobile devices!
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| TIP: Open the workbook to the desired page(s), then click the printer icon in the upper left! |
All lessons in the Beginner's Italian series:
(5) La negazione - Negation
(6) Ogni quanto? Quante volte? (Adverbs of frequency)
(7) C'è & Ci sono (There is & There are)
(8) Essere - to be — CURRENT PAGE
(6) Ogni quanto? Quante volte? (Adverbs of frequency)
(7) C'è & Ci sono (There is & There are)
(8) Essere - to be — CURRENT PAGE
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