Être (to be) – present tense
Je suis, tu es, il est…
Être (to be) is the most important verb in French. It's irregular, so you need to learn each form by heart.
Conjugation
| être | English | |
|---|---|---|
| je | suis | I am |
| tu | es | you are |
| il / elle / on | est | he/she/it is, we are |
| nous | sommes | we are |
| vous | êtes | you are |
| ils / elles | sont | they are |
- Je suis anglais.I'm English.
- Tu es fatigué ?Are you tired?
- C'est mon frère.That's my brother.
- Nous sommes à la maison.We're at home.
- Vous êtes très gentille.You're very kind.
- Ils sont en retard.They're late.
Pronunciation tips
- es and est both sound like è: tu es, il est.
- êtes has a circumflex: don't forget it when you write.
- sont (they are) has a nasal on sound. Don't confuse it with ont (they have): ils sont = eel sohn, ils ont = eel zohn.
What être is used for
- Describing people and things: Elle est grande.
- Nationality and profession, with no article: Il est médecin. See Zero article with professions.
- Location: Je suis à Lyon.
- Building the past tense of some verbs: Je suis allé (see Passé composé with être).
Some English "to be" expressions use avoir in French: I'm hungry = j'ai faim, I'm 20 = j'ai 20 ans. See Avoir faim, soif, chaud, froid, … ans.
Practice
- Je _____ content.
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suis
- Tu _____ en retard.
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es
- Elle _____ médecin.
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est
- Nous _____ prêts.
Show the answer
sommes
In the app, this lesson is taught one idea at a time with the examples read aloud, followed by questions that explain the rule when you get one wrong. It then comes back for review on later days until you've mastered it.