être

ByFast French

The French verb “être” is the equivalent of the English verb “to be.” It’s the most frequently used verb in the whole French language. It’s an irregular verb, which means that is doesn’t follow regular conjugation patterns. This is the present tense of être:

  • Je suis (I am)
  • Tu es (You are – singular, informal)
  • Il/Elle/On est (He/She/One is)
  • Nous sommes (We are)
  • Vous êtes (You are – plural or formal)
  • Ils/Elles sont (They are)

The verb être is used to express identity, nationality, and describing locations. Examples include:

  • Je suis étudiant(e) – I am a student.
  • Elle est française – She is French.
  • Nous sommes à la maison – We are at home.
  • Tu es au café – You are at the cafe.

“Être” is also used to convey emotions and conditions:

  • Je suis content – I am happy.
  • Il est malade – He is sick.

Don’t miss new articles!

Get 1 email a week with new articles about French

We don’t spam! Read more in our privacy policy

Similar Posts

  • verb: se plaindre

    ByFast French

    “Se plaindre” means “to complain,” “to whinge” or “to moan.” Conjugations in Present Tense and Passé Composé: Present tense: Passé composé tense: Etymology: The origin of “se plaindre” can be traced back to Latin, where the root “plangere” meant “to lament” or “to beat one’s chest.” Idiomatic Expressions and Usage:

  • savoir vs connaître

    ByFast French

    The French verbs savoir and connaître both relate to knowledge, but they are used in different ways. In general, savoir means “to know a fact,” “to know how,” or “to know information.” Connaître means “to know” a person, place, thing, or subject because you are familiar with it. Choosing the right verb is one of…

  • payer au lance-pierres

    ByFast French

    The French expression “payer au lance-pierres” translates literally as “to pay with a slingshot,” but it means “to underpay.” The saying dates to the end of the 19th century, when slingshots made from rubber become more popular, thanks to improvements in rubber chemistry. The expression originally came from another saying “avec un lance-pierres,” which translated…

  • violon d’Ingres

    ByFast French

    The French saying “violon d’Ingres” literally translates as “violin of Ingres.” What it really means is “hobby,” “pastime,” or “an activity that you enjoy outside your main job.” Jean-Auguste-Dominique Ingres was a 19th century painter who created a number of famous works, including Grande Baigneuse (1808), Oedipus and the Sphinx (1808), and La Grande Odalisque…

  • toujours – always or still?

    ByFast French

    The French adverb toujours is a deceptively simple word that learners encounter early in their studies. It is most often translated as “always,” but depending on context, it can also mean “still.” These two meanings are not interchangeable, and understanding when toujours means one or the other is essential for mastering everyday French. 1. Toujours…