Meaning · verb
to be
- to exist; there be
- used as an auxiliary with past participles
In a sentence
Oggi sono molto stanco dopo il lavoro.
Today I am very tired after work.
Sei già stato al supermercato stamattina?
Have you already been to the supermarket this morning?
Non c'è più latte nel frigo.
There isn't any milk left in the fridge.
Word forms (48)
| Word | Word forms |
|---|---|
| essere | infinitive |
| siamo | indicative · present · plural · 1st person |
| sono | indicative · present · singular · 1st person |
| siete | indicative · present · plural · 2nd person |
| sei | indicative · present · singular · 2nd person |
| sono | indicative · present · plural · 3rd person |
| è | indicative · present · singular · 3rd person |
| eravamo | indicative · imperfect · plural · 1st person |
| ero | indicative · imperfect · singular · 1st person |
| eravate | indicative · imperfect · plural · 2nd person |
| eri | indicative · imperfect · singular · 2nd person |
| erano | indicative · imperfect · plural · 3rd person |
| era | indicative · imperfect · singular · 3rd person |
| fummo | indicative · past · plural · 1st person |
| fui | indicative · past · singular · 1st person |
| foste | indicative · past · plural · 2nd person |
| fosti | indicative · past · singular · 2nd person |
| furono | indicative · past · plural · 3rd person |
| fù | indicative · past · singular · 3rd person |
| saremo | indicative · future · plural · 1st person |
| sarò | indicative · future · singular · 1st person |
| sarete | indicative · future · plural · 2nd person |
| sarai | indicative · future · singular · 2nd person |
| saranno | indicative · future · plural · 3rd person |
| sarà | indicative · future · singular · 3rd person |
| siamo | subjunctive · present · plural · 1st person |
| sia | subjunctive · present · singular · 1st person |
| siate | subjunctive · present · plural · 2nd person |
| sia | subjunctive · present · singular · 2nd person |
| siano | subjunctive · present · plural · 3rd person |
| sia | subjunctive · present · singular · 3rd person |
| fossimo | subjunctive · imperfect · plural · 1st person |
| fossi | subjunctive · imperfect · singular · 1st person |
| foste | subjunctive · imperfect · plural · 2nd person |
| fossi | subjunctive · imperfect · singular · 2nd person |
| fossero | subjunctive · imperfect · plural · 3rd person |
| fosse | subjunctive · imperfect · singular · 3rd person |
| saremmo | conditional · present · plural · 1st person |
| sarei | conditional · present · singular · 1st person |
| sareste | conditional · present · plural · 2nd person |
| saresti | conditional · present · singular · 2nd person |
| sarebbero | conditional · present · plural · 3rd person |
| sarebbe | conditional · present · singular · 3rd person |
| siamo | imperative · plural · 1st person |
| siate | imperative · plural · 2nd person |
| sii | imperative · singular · 2nd person |
| essendo | gerund |
| stato | past · participle |
Usage notes
- Use 'essere' for location, not 'stare' (e.g., 'Sono a casa'). 'Stare' implies temporary state or health.
- Past participles with 'essere' must agree in gender/number (e.g., 'Lei è andata').
- Contractions: 'sono' → 'son' in fast speech (informal). Avoid in writing.
- present: sono, sei, è, siamo, siete, sono
- past participle stato