/ɛtʁ/

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Translation

to be

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Word origin

From Vulgar Latin essere, a reshaping of Latin esse ('to be'). Some of its forms (such as those in fu-) come from Latin fui, the perfect of esse, and the imperfect (étais) and the past participle (été) come from Latin stare ('to stand').

Origin
Latin
Root
essere
English cognates
essence, essential

Grammar

Verb typeirregular

Conjugation

Regular french-irregular conjugation. Pronouns: je, tu, il/elle, nous, vous, ils/elles.

Indicative

Person PresentImperfectPast historicFutureConditional
jesuisétaisfusseraiserais
tuesétaisfusserasserais
il/elleestétaitfutseraserait
noussommesétionsfûmesseronsserions
vousêtesétiezfûtesserezseriez
ils/ellessontétaientfurentserontseraient

Subjunctive

Person PresentImperfect
jesoisfusse
tusoisfusses
il/ellesoitfût
noussoyonsfussions
voussoyezfussiez
ils/ellessoientfussent

Imperative

Person Affirmative
tusois
noussoyons
voussoyez

Non-finite

Gerund / present participle
étant
Past participle
été

Examples

.

I am a student at university.

.

She has been a doctor for twenty years.

.

We are very pleased to see you.

.

The museum is open on Sunday mornings.

, .

Being in good health is the most important thing.

Where this fits

Used in

Stories

(93)

Grammar articles

(51)

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French · Free printables

être: worksheet, infographic and listicle

Free printable study downloads for the French word "être" (to be): a worksheet with the answer key built in, an infographic, and a sentence listicle. Open any one to view, print or save.

This word is taught in chapter 1, lesson 2: First words for sentences.