The Italian Verb to Be

The verb to be is one of the most important verbs in any language, and it's the first verb you need to learn in Italian. Just like in English, essere is used to describe people, things, and states of being. Mastering this verb will allow you to form simple sentences about identity, emotions, professions, and more.

Conjugation of Essere in the Present Tense

The verb essere must be conjugated depending on the subject. Here’s how it looks in the present tense:

Examples with Essere

Using essere in sentences is straightforward. Here are some common examples:

Formal You Lei

Lei is the formal version of you, used when showing respect to someone such as your boss, teacher, or an elder. It takes the same form of the verb as he/she, so it is conjugated as è.

Negative Form

To create the negative form of essere, simply add non before the verb. This works in every tense, but in the present tense it’s especially simple:

Questions with Essere

Forming questions in Italian with essere is easy. Unlike English, you don't need to invert the subject and verb. Simply raise your intonation at the end of the sentence:

Using Essere with It

In Italian, there is no separate pronoun for it. To say it is, simply use the verb essere without a subject. Context usually clarifies what it refers to:

Summary

The verb essere is essential in Italian for expressing identity, states of being, and descriptions. Key points to remember:

• It must be conjugated according to the subject.
• The formal you (Lei) uses the same form as he/she.
• Negative sentences are formed by placing non before the verb.
• Questions are easy—just raise your intonation without changing word order.
• There is no separate word for it; context + essere conveys the meaning.

The verb essere will give you the foundation to describe yourself, others, and the world around you confidently in Italian.