être
/ɛtʁ/
The English verb be is translated in French as être.
être is used to declare that the subject and object are identical or equivalent.
Meaning: used to declare the subject and object identical or equivalent (verb)
How does it change in a sentence?
être is an irregular verb. In the present tense, it must be conjugated to match the subject using the forms suis, es, est, sommes, êtes, sont. To describe continuous states or habits in the past, use the imperfect tense forms: étais, était, étions, étiez, étaient. To express states that will occur in the future, use the future tense forms: serai, seras, sera, serons, serez, seront. Additionally, the subjunctive forms sois, soit, soyons, soyez, soient are used after certain expressions of emotion, doubt or necessity.
How do you pronounce it?
/ɛtʁ/
Did you know?
- In French, être serves as a special auxiliary verb for a specific group of 'motion' verbs, such as aller for 'go' and venir for 'come', when forming the past tense.
- The word être is a linguistic hybrid, merging the roots of two different Latin verbs: esse for 'be' and stāre for 'stand'.
- French uses only one verb for 'be', whereas cousins like Spanish and Portuguese maintain two distinct verbs, ser and estar, to distinguish between permanent and temporary states.
Examples in context
- Je dois y être.I must be there.This sentence demonstrates the use of être for presence or location.Tatoeba #7774674 by Aiji, translation #3723228 by CM
- Ça va être dur.It's going to be tough.This sentence shows how être is used to describe a state of difficulty.Tatoeba #12002172 by zogwarg, translation #6532075 by CK
- Ça va être long.This is going to be long.This sentence uses être to describe a duration or state.Tatoeba #6167047 by Aiji, translation #2892219 by CK
- Je suis étudiant.I am a student.
- Il est médecin.He is a doctor.
- L'hôtel se trouve au centre-ville.The hotel is located downtown.
- Je suis fatigué.I'm tired.
- Tu es génial(e).You're awesome.
- Je suis en train de manger.I am eating.
- Elle est en train de lire un livre.She is reading a book.
- Le ciel devient sombre avant l'orage.The sky is getting dark before the storm.
- 5253 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Emma and Hugo are at a café.
- EmmaTu veux être mon ami ?Do you want to be my friend?
- HugoBien sûr, je veux être ton ami.Of course, I want to be your friend.
- EmmaC'est gentil, Hugo.That is kind, Hugo.
- HugoTu es une amie géniale, Emma.You are a great friend, Emma.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “be” translations and entries être, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
