French word

être

Pronunciation

IPA/ɛtʁ/

Meaning

  • verbbe

Example

Il est médecin.

He is a doctor.

Illustration for être (be)

More examples

Nous sommes d'accord.

We agree.

Core concept

A subject placed on the scene, with its existence, condition, or identity made visible.

Common phrases

  • être d'accord

    agree

  • être en retard

    be late

  • être prêt

    be ready

Similar words

avoir: Expresses ownership or possession of an object or quality.
devenir: Expresses a change into a new state or status.
rester: Expresses continuing in the same state or place.
sembler: Expresses an appearance or impression that something is a certain way.

Definition in French

S'emploie pour dire qu'une personne ou une chose « est », indiquant existence, état ou identité, et servant aussi d'auxiliaire.

Word origin

French être comes from Latin esse through Old French estre; the loss of the s in estre, marked by the circumflex in être, helped produce the modern spelling.

Usage tips

  • The present forms of être are highly irregular: suis, es, est, sommes, êtes, and sont.

Other meanings

  • existverb

Word lists with this word