essere

See also: èssere

Italian

Etymology

From Vulgar Latin *essĕre, from Latin esse (infinitive of sum), from Proto-Italic *ezom, from Proto-Indo-European *h₁ésti (“he is, he exists”), from *h₁es- (“to be”). Past historic indicative and imperfect subjunctive forms via the perfect tenses of the Proto-Italic *ezom, from Proto-Indo-European *bʰúHt (“he became”), from *bʰuH- (“to become, to grow, to appear”). The current past participle stato from stare, ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *steh₂- (“to stand (up)”).

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈɛs.se.re/, [ˈɛs̪s̪er̺e]

• Audio

  (file)

• Rhymes: -ɛssere
• Hyphenation: es‧se‧re

Verb

essere

1. (auxiliary, the non-perfect forms followed by a past participle, used to form composite (perfect) tenses of passive intransitive verbs and of their reflexive forms) to have (done something); to be in the state of having (done something); See Category:Italian verbs taking essere as auxiliary.

   Essente partito e non essendosi ancora fermato, lui è tutt’ora in movimento. ― Being started and not having stopped yet, he is still moving. (literally, “Being started and not having stopped yet, he is all now in movement.”)

   (io) sono
   (io) sono stato

   I am
   I (have) been

   (io) sto
   (io) sono stato

   I stay
   I (have) stayed

   • (io) mi fermo
     (io) mi sono fermato

     I stop me/myself
     I (have) stopped myself

   (tu) ti fermi
   (tu) ti sei fermato

   you stop yourself
   you (have) stopped yourself

   • (lui/lei/egli/ella/esso/essa) si ferma
     (lui/lei/egli/ella/esso/essa) si è fermato

     he/she/it stops himself/herself/itself
     he/she/it (has) stopped himself/herself/itself

   • (noi) ci fermiamo
     (noi) ci siamo fermati

     we stop ourselves
     we (have) stopped ourselves

   • (voi) vi fermate
     (voi) vi siete fermati

     you stop yourselves
     you (have) stopped yourselves

   • (loro/essi/esse) si fermano
     (loro/essi/esse) si sono fermati

     they stops themselves
     they (have) stopped themselves

   • accade
     è accaduto

     it happens
     it (have) happened

   (io) vado
   (io) sono andato

   I go
   I (have) gone

2. (auxiliary, the non-perfect forms followed by a past participle, used to form composite (perfect) tenses of reflexive forms of transitive verbs) to have (done something to oneself/oneselves); to be in the state of having (done something to oneself/oneselves); See Category:Italian reflexive verbs.

   Lui guardando verso lo specchio si era visto. ― He, looking towards the mirror, (had) seen himself.

   • (io) mi ho
     (io) mi sono avuto

     I have me/myself
     I (have) had me/myself

   (io) mi faccio […]
   (io) mi sono fatto […]

   I make myself [...]
   I (have) made myself […]

3. (auxiliary, both non-perfect and perfect forms followed by a past participle, used to form the passive forms of transitive verbs) to be (done something); to be in the state of being (done something); See Category:Italian transitive verbs.

   Lui è amato da lei. ― He is loved by her.

   Lei era stata amata da lui. ― She was been loved by him.

   • (io) avevo/possedevo
     (io) ero avuto/posseduto
     (io) ero stato avuto/posseduto

     I owned/possessed
     I was owned/possessed
     I was been owned/possessed

   (io) amavo
   (io) ero amato
   (io) ero stato amato

   I loved
   I was loved
   I was been loved

4. (intransitive, absolutive, as predicative verb, affirms the existence, the essence in itself, the pure act, without further determination) to be, to exist (regionally, chiefly in Tuscany, can be found in the singular also when referring to plural subjects)

   Synonym: esistere

   Dio è ― God exists

   ci sono varie specie di rose ― there are various/many species of roses

   discutere se vi siano il paradiso e l’inferno ― discuss if there exist/is the heaven and the hell

   Ci sono molti laureati in legge. ― There are many law graduates.

   • 1850–1650 B.C., chapter 1, in Bibbia [Bible], volume Genesi [Genesis] (religious text, creation myth, in Hebrew), line 3:

     Dio disse: «la luce sia», e la luce fu

     God said: «the light exist», and the light existed

     (literally, “God said: «the light be», and the light was”)

   • 1314 (volume), 1321 (full book), Alighieri, Dante, “III”, in Divina Commedia [Divine Commedy], volume Inferno [hell] (allegorical-didactic poem, lyric poetry), lines 7–8:

     Dinanzi a me non fuor cose create / se non etterne, […]

     Before me existed not created things / if not eternal, […]

     (literally, “Before me [there] weren’t created things / if not eternal, […]”)

   • 1316 (volume), 1321 (full book), Alighieri, Dante, “XVI”, in Divina Commedia [Divine Commedy], volume Purgatorio [Purgatory] (allegorical-didactic poem), line 97:

     Le leggi [ci] son, ma chi pon mano ad esse?

     The laws exist, but who put its hand on them?

     (literally, “The laws are [there], but who put its hand on them?”)

   • 1840, Manzoni, Alessandro, “II”, in I Promessi Sposi [The bethroted spouses] (novel, historical fiction), 3rd: la Quarantana [the Forty] edition, page 34:

     […] “E poi c’è degli imbrogli” / “Degl’imbrogli? Che imbrogli ci può essere?” […]

     […] “And then there are some entanglements” / “Some entanglements? What entanglements may exist?” […]

     (literally, “[…] “And then there is some cheats” / “Some cheats? What cheats may there be?” […]”)

5. (intransitive, also followed by presente) to be (present)

   Il verbo “essere” è se stesso. ― The verb “to be” is itself.

   (L’)iddio è (presente) dappertutto. ― (The) god is (present) everywhere.

   Non c’erano persone lungo la strada. ― There were not (present) people along the road.

   Siete già qui? ― Are you already here?

   Sono io in carne ed ossa ― It’s me in person (literally, “It’s me in meat and bones.”)

   Sono presente in carne ed ossa ― I am present in person (literally, “I am present in meat and bones.”)

   • 1507–1566, Caro, Annibale, (Please provide the book title or journal name):

     […] fate che al mio ritorno la scena sia in essere […]

     […] let the scene be ready at my return […]

   • 1600–1602, Shakespeare, William, “Atto III [Act 3]”, in Amleto [Hamlet] (Tragedy, in English), Scena V [Scene 5], line 1:

     Essere, o non essere, questo è il dilemma: […]

     To be, or not to be, that is the problem: […]

   • 1626–1697, Redi, Francesco, (Please provide the book title or journal name):

     […] le sue lettere son tutte in essere […]

     […] his letters are all in existence […]

   • 14–19 May 1835, Leopardi, Giacomo, “Dialogo di un fisico e di un metafisico [Dialogue of a physicist and a metaphysician]”, in Operette morali [Moral operettas] (collection of phylosophical novellas and dialogues), page 66:

     […] Ma se tu vuoi, prolungando la vita, giovare agli uomini veramente; trova un’arte per la quale sieno moltiplicate di numero e di gagliardia le sensazioni e le azioni loro. […]

     […] But if you want, prolonging life, to benefit men; find an art in which their sensations and actions are multiplied by number and vigor. […]

     (literally, “[…] But if you want, prolonging life, to benefit men; find an art in which are multiplied by number and vigor, sensations and actions of them. […]”)

   • 1840, Manzoni, Alessandro, “XII”, in I Promessi Sposi [The bethroted spouses] (novel, historical fiction), 3rd: la Quarantana [the Forty] edition, page 251:

     […] Spesso, in simili circostanze, l’annunzio d’una cosa la fa essere [presente]. […]

     […] Often, in similar circumstances, the announcement of a thing makes it present. […]

     (literally, “[…] Often, in similar circumstances, the announcement of a thing makes it to be [present]. […]”)

6. (intransitive, also followed by vero) to be true

   è (proprio) così ― it is (just/exactly) that way

   affermare ciò che (in realtà) non è (vero) ― affirm what (in realty) is not (true)

   non può essere (vero) ― it can not be (true)

7. (intransitive, used to replace action verbs) to be

   ero stato io (a dare/fare qualcosa) ― it was been me (who gave/did something)

   (which replace the clause l’avevo dato/fatto io)

   l’avevo dato/fatto io ― it was given/done by me

8. (intransitive, impersonal, used to indicate a situation) to be

   oggi (c’)è bel tempo ― today (the weather/it) is lovely

   oggi (il clima) è freddo/caldo ― today (the climate/it) is cold/hot

   oggi (il cielo) è già buio ― today (the sky/it) is already dark

9. (intransitive, impersonal, used to emphasize) to be

   È a te che mi rivolgo. ― It is to you who I address (my speech).

   È a te che rivolgo il mio discorso. ― It is to you who I address my speech.

   È per questo che insisto. ― It is for this reason that I insist.

   Quand’è che ci rivedremo? ― When will we meet again?

10. (intransitive) to exist

    Synonyms: esistere, sussistere

    • 1314 (volume), 1321 (full book), Alighieri, Dante, quoting Virgilio [Virgil], “III”, in Divina Commedia [Divine Commedy], volume Inferno [Hell] (allegorical-didactic poem, lyric poetry), lines 49-51:

      […] Fama di loro il mondo esser non lassa; / misericordia e giustizia li sdegna: / non ragioniam di lor, ma guarda e passa.” […]

      […] Fame of them the world does not let exist; / mercy and justice disdains them: / do not reason about them, but look and pass.” […]

      (literally, “[…] Fame of them the world does not allow to be; / mercy and justice disdains them: / do not reason about them, but look and pass.” […]”)

11. (intransitive) to be, to consist, to stay, to lay

    Synonyms: consistere, stare

    in questo è la difficoltà ― the difficult is/lies/consists in this

    la vera felicità non è nel denaro ― true happiness is not/does not consist in money

    tutta la sua gioia è nel lavoro ― all his joy is in (the) work

12. (intransitive) to live

    Synonym: vivere

    C’era una volta (ed ora non più) […] ― (It lived) once upon a time (and now no longer) […] (literally, “It was once time (and now no longer) […]”)

    • 1350–1353, Boccaccio, Giovanni, “Giornata quinta [Fifth day]”, in Decameron or Decamerone [The Decameron] (collection of Novellas), Novella nona [Ninth novella], page 395:

      […] Dovete adunque sapere che Coppo di Borghese Domenichi, il quale fu nella nostra cittá, e forse è ancora, uomo di grande e di reverenda autoritá ne’ di nostri, […]

      […] You must therefore know that Coppo di Borghese Domenichi, who lived in our city, and maybe still lives there, was, and maybe still is, a man of great and reverend authority in our days […]

      (literally, “[…] You must therefore know that Coppo di Borghese Domenichi, who was in our city, and maybe still is, a man of great and reverend authority in of our […]”)

    • 1821, Manzoni, Alessandro, Il cinque maggio [The Fifth of May] (poetry, ode), line 1, page 689:

      Ei fu. […]

      He lived. […]

      (literally, “He was. […]”)

13. (intransitive) to have life, to have origin

    Synonyms: avere vita, avere origine

    Di dove siete? ― From where are you?

    Lui/Egli/Esso è di Milano/Napoli. ― He was born/lives in Milan/Naples.

    Lei/Ella/Essa è di Milano/Napoli. ― She was born/lives in Milan/Naples.

    • 1808, Foscolo, Niccolò (Ugo); Pindemonte, Ippolito; Torti, Giovanni; Monti, Vincenzo, “Carme di Ugo Foscolo [Solemn Song of Ugo Foscolo]”, in Dei Sepolcri [Of the sepulchres] (poetry), lines 238–240, page 12:

      […], ed a Giove diè Dárdano figlio / Onde fur Troja e Assáraco e i cinquanta / Talami e il regno della Giulia gente. […]

      […], and to Jove gave Dardanus his son / Where Troy and Assaracus were born and the fifty / Marriage beds and the kingdom of the Julia people. […]

      (literally, “[…], and to Jove gave Dardanus his son / Where Troy and Assaracus were and the fifty / Thalamuses and the kingdom of the Julia people. […]”)

14. (intransitive) to occur, to happen, to take place

    Synonyms: avvenire, accadere

    Cos’è stato? ― What (is) happened?

    Cosa sarà di noi? ― What will happen/occur to us?

    Quel che è stato è stato. ― The thing which (was) happened it (was) happened. (literally, “What (was) happened it (was) happened.”)

    • 1516, Ariosto, Ludovico, “Canto primo [First song]”, in Orlando furioso [Furious Orlando] (poetry, chivalric romance), 1, lines 2–4:

      [...], l’audaci imprese io canto, / che furo al tempo che passaro i Mori / d’Africa il mare, […]

      […], I sing the audacious enterprises, / which happened at the time the Moors / of Africa passed the sea, […]

      (literally, “[…], the audacious enterpsrises I sing, / which were at the time the Moors / of Africa passed the sea, […]”)

    • 1911, Gozzano, Guido, “Alle soglie [On the thresholds]”, in I colloqui [The interviews] (poetry), Cocotte, lines 27–29:

      […] Non amo che le cose / che potevano essere e non sono / state…. […]

      […] I do not like the things that / could happen but which did not / happened…. […]

      (literally, “[…] I do not like that the things that / could be and did not / been…. […]”)

15. (intransitive, followed by in, su or a, or a locative adverb or phrase, also figuratively) to be in/at a place; to be in a particular place/position compared to someone/something else

    Synonym: stare

    essere in casa/nei campi/in ufficio ― to be at home/in the fields/in the office

    essere a casa/a scuola/a letto ― to be at home/at school/in the bed

    essere sulla strada di casa ― to be on the way for/to home

    essere sul posto ― to be on the spot

    essere davanti a qualcuno/qualcosa ― to be in front of someone/something

    essere dietro a qualcuno/qualcosa ― to be behind someone/something

    essere sopra a qualcuno/qualcosa ― to be over someone/something

    essere sotto a qualcuno/qualcosa ― to be under/below someone/something

    essere dentro a qualcosa ― to be inside something

    essere fuori da qualcosa ― to be out of something

    la porta è lì ― the door is there

    l’ingresso sta da questa parte/da questo lato ― the entrance is on this side

    la collina è a(d) ovest ― the hill is to the west

    (loro/essi/esse) erano tutti lì ad aspettarlo ― they were all there waiting for him

    quand’ero in collegio ― when I was in college

    essere in compagnia di qualcuno ― to be in someone’s company

    essere fra/tra amici ― to be among friends

    Ero già stato in quella città. ― I’ve (yet) been to that city before.

    Il nemico è alle porte. ― The enemy is at the door(s).

    essere in guerra/pace ― to be at war/peace

    essere al sicuro ― to be safe

    essere in pericolo ― to be in danger

    essere nei guai/pasticci ― to be in trouble

    essere nel vero ― to be (in) true

    essere in colpa ― to be at fault

    essere in errore ― to be in error

    essere all’oscuro di tutto ― to be in the dark about everything

    essere agli ordini di qualcuno ― to be under someone’s orders

    essere sotto il dominio di qualcuno ― to be under someone’s domain

    essere sotto la protezione di qualcuno ― to be under someone’s protection

    essere in agonia ― to be in agony

    essere in lutto ― to mourn

    essere in simpatia/odio a qualcuno ― to be in sympathy/hate to someone

    essere in/nella grazia di dio/Dio ― to be in the grace of god/God

    essere in collera per qualcosa ― to be angry at something

    essere in pena/ansia per qualcosa ― to be worried/anxious about something

16. (intransitive, followed by in, su or a, or a locative adverb or phrase) to be in/at a place, to come to a place; to be in/at a particular place/position compared to someone/something else, to come to a particular place/position compared to someone/something else

    Synonyms: giungere, venire

    essere in/a casa/nei campi/in ufficio ― to be at home/in the fields/in office

    essere a scuola/a tavola/a letto ― to be at school/at the table/in bed

    essere sulla via di/per casa/sul posto ― to be on the way (to) home/on the spot

    quando saremo (arrivati) a casa ― when we will be (arrived) at home

    aspetta che sia vicino ― wait for it to be/come close

17. (intransitive, also figuratively) to be (used in relation to the idea of motion)

    essere in via (di arrivo) ― to be on the way

    essere in via di partenza ― to be in the start

    essere in cammino ― to be on the way

    essere in viaggio ― to be travelling

    essere in via di guarigione ― to be on the mend

    essere al principio/alla fine ― to be at the beginning/end

    essere avanti/indietro a fare qualcosa ― to be ahead/back doing something

    essere a buon punto a fare qualcosa ― to be well advanced/on one’s way doing something

    essere alla minestra/frutta ― to be at the soup/fruit (time)

    l’acqua è a bollore ― the water is boiling

    esserci (quasi) ― to be (almost) there

    (noi) ci siamo quasi ― we are almost there

    coraggio, ci siamo quasi ― courage, we are almost there

18. (intransitive) to be (used in reference to time)

    è presto/tradi ― it is early/late

    (Noi) siamo già a Natale. ― We are already at Christmas.

    è di cinque mesi ― it is of five months/five years old

    era nato da cinque mesi ― it was born five months ago

    è al quinto mese (di gravidanza) ― it is in the fifth months (of pregnancy)

    sono le nove ― it’s nine o’clock

    è il tempo di agire ― it’s time to act

    è primavera ― It is spring

    (noi) siamo in primavera ― we are in spring

    (Egli) è sulla quarantina ― He is in his forties/He is about forty years old

    È (da) un’ora (fa) che aspetto. ― It’s (from) an hour (ago) that I’m here.

    (Io) l’avevo incontrato quindici giorni or sono ― I (had) met him fifteen days ago (literally, “I him had met fifteen days now are.”)

19. (intransitive) to be (used in reference to the spatial or temporal distance)

    Synonyms: distare, mancare

    Da qui al paese dovrebbero essere/esserci almeno 6 miglia. ― From here to the town there should be at least six miles.

    C’è più di un’ora di cammino (ancora da percorrere) ― there is more than an hour of walk (still to go)

    Quanti giorni ci sono (ancora) per arrivare a Pasqua? ― How many days are there (still) to get to Easter?

20. (intransitive, usually followed by the preposition di or a possessive adjective or pronoun) to be (of)

    essere di buon appetito ― to be (of) good appetite

    (esso/essa) è una persona di gusto ― he/she is a person of taste

    il fatto è di natura diversa ― the fact is different in nature (literally, “the fact is of different nature”)

    essere di buon umore ― to be in a good mood

    essere d’aiuto ― to be helpful (literally, “to be of help”)

    essere utile/d’utilità ― to be useful

    essere di conforto ― to be of comfort/consolation/support

    essere di servizio ― to be of service

    essere di guardia ― to be on guard

    essere di turno ― to be on duty

    essere di giornata ― to be of the day

    essere dell’opinione/dell’avviso/dell’idea (che) ― to be of the opinion (that)

    essere di ritorno ― to be back (literally, “to be on return”)

    • 1314 (volume), 1321 (full book), Alighieri, Dante, “IV”, in Divina Commedia [Divine Commedy], volume Inferno [Hell] (allegorical-didactic poem, lyric poetry), lines 16-18:

      […] E io, che del color mi fui accorto, / dissi: “Come verrò, se tu paventi / che suoli al mio dubbiare esser conforto?”. […]

      […] And I, who has noticed the colo(u)r / I said: “How will I come, if you fear / that I have the habit to doubt be (of) comfort?”. […]

      (literally, “[…] And I, who myself has noticed of the colo(u)r / I said: “How will I come, if you fear / that I have the habit to doubt be comfort?”. […]”)

21. (intransitive, usually followed by the preposition da + verb) to be (to do something)

    Synonyms: dovere, doversi

    c’è da spedire subito questo telegramma ― This telegram must be sent immediately (literally, “There is this telegram to be send immediately”)

    C’è da attendere molto? ― Is there much to wait for?

    (Queste) non sono cose da dirsi. ― These are not things to be said.

    Non è da credere. ― It is not to be believed.

    È da ancora (tutto) vedere. ― It is still (everything) to be seen.

    C’è da impazzire. ― There is to become crazy.

    C’è da mettersi le mani nei capelli. ― (please add an English translation of this usage example) (literally, “There is to put one’s hands in oneself/oneselves hair.”)

    Ci sarebbe da guadagnare parecchio. ― There would be a lot to gain.

22. (intransitive, usually followed by the preposition da) to be (from)

    non è da tanto (tempo) ― it is not from so long (time)

    Non è da galantuomo/gentiluomo comportarsi così. ― It is not a gentlemen’s behavio(u)r to do so.

    • 1321 (volume and full book), Alighieri, Dante, “XXXIII”, in Divina Commedia [Divine Commedy], volume Paradiso [Paradise] (allegorical-didactic poem, epic poetry), line 139:

      […] Ma non eran da ciò le proprie penne: […]

      […] But their own pens were not from these […]

      (literally, “[…] But their own feathers were not from these […]”)

23. (intransitive, followed by the preposition in, by extension of the figurative use of the meaning 16, also figuratively) to be (in)

    essere in buon(o)/cattivo stato ― to be in (a) good/bad condition(s)/state

    essere male in arnese ― to be bad in tools

    essere in castigo/punizione ― to be in punishment

    essere in errore ― to be in error

    essere in vestaglia ― to be in a robe

    essere in pantofole ― to be in slippers

    essere in maniche di camicia ― to be in shirt sleeves

    essere in maniche corte/lunghe ― to be in short/long sleeves

    essere nei panni di qualcuno ― to be in someone’s shoes

    essere in qualcuno ― to be in someone

    Se io fossi nei tuoi panni. ― If I were in your shoes, I would act differently.

    Se io fossi in te. ― If I were (in) you, I would act differently.

    (non) essere in sé (stessi) ― to be (not) in oneself/oneselves

24. (intransitive, followed by the preposition in, also figuratively) to be (in)

    Synonyms: stare (a/in), dipendere (da)

    (Io) farò tutto quanto è/sia in me. ― I will do everything (is/be) in me.

    (Io) farò tutto quanto è/sia nei miei doveri. ― I will do everything (is/be) in my duties.

    (Noi) faremo tutto, per quant’è/quanto sia in noi. ― We will do everything, as it (is/be) in us.

    (Noi) faremo tutto, per quant’è/quanto sia nelle nostre capacità. ― We will do everything, as much as it (is/be) in our abilities.

25. (intransitive, followed by in grado di + verb, also figuratively) to be able to (do something)

    Synonyms: sapere, potere, essere capace di

    Io non sono in grado di risponderti. ― I am not able to answer (to) you.

    Loro non sono in grado di risponderti. ― They are not able to answer (to) you.

    Il ferito non era in grado di camminare. ― The injured (man) was unable to walk.

    L’uomo ferito non era in grado di camminare. ― The injured man was unable to walk.

    La (donna) ferita non era in grado di camminare. ― The injured (woman) was unable to walk.

26. (intransitive, followed by a, also figuratively) to be (at)

    essere a tavola ― to be at the table (literally, “to be at table”)

    essere a cavallo ― to be on the horseback (literally, “to be at horse”)

    essere a cavallo ― to feel good (literally, “to be at horse”)

    essere a spasso/passeggio ― to be (out) for a walk

    essere alla disperazione ― to be in despair

    essere alla fame ― to be hungry

    essere a'l verde ― to be without money (literally, “to be at green”)

27. (intransitive, preceded by a dative pronoun or pronominal phrase) to have

    Synonym: avere

    • 1350–1353, Boccaccio, Giovanni, “Giornata prima [First day]”, in Decameron or Decamerone [The Decameron] (collection of Novellas), Introduzione [Introduction], page 20:

      […] E per ciò, acciò che noi per ischifiltá o per trascutaggine non cadessimo in quello di che noi per avventura per alcuna maniera volendo potremmo scampare, non so se a voi quello se ne parrá che a me ne parrebbe: io giudicherei ottimamente fatto che noi, sì come noi siamo, sì come molti innanzi a noi hanno fatto e fanno, di questa terra uscissimo, e fuggendo come la morte i disonesti esempli degli altri, onestamente a’ nostri luoghi in contado, de’ quali a ciascuna di noi è gran copia, ce n’andassimo a stare, e quivi quella festa, quell’allegrezza, quello piacere che noi potessimo, senza trapassare in alcuno atto il segno della ragione, prendessimo. […]

      […] And for these reason, to what we in disgust or neglect did not fall into what we as an adventure in some way wanting could escape, I do not know if for you it thinks that I think about it: I would judge excellently the fact that we, as we are, as many before us have made and currently do, we go out from this land, and escaping as the die from the dishonest examples, honestly to our places in the countryside, from which each of us (it) is a great copy, we went from there to stay, and there that feast, the joy, that pleasure that we could, without going beyond in any act the limit of reason, we took. […]

      (literally, “[…] And for these reason, to what we, in disgust or neglect, did not fall into what we, as an adventure, for some way, wanting, could escape, I do not know if for you itself thinks about that I think about it: I would judge excellently fact that we, as we are, as many ahead to us have made and do, of this land we exit, and escaping as the die the dishonest examples of other, honestly to our places in the countryside, of which each of us it is a great copy, we went from there to stay, and there that feast, the joy, that pleasure that we could, without going beyond in any act the sign of reason, we took. […]”)

28. (intransitive, followed by the preposition a, calque of the French use) to be (given) to

    La parola è (data) al ministro. ― The word is (given) to the minister.

29. (intransitive, followed by the preposition per, also figuratively) to be for

    questo (pacco) è per te ― this package is for you

    questa non è roba per te ― this is not (stuff) for you

    essere per qualcuno ― to be for someone

    Io sono per chi supporta la mia causa. ― I am for those who support the just cause.

30. (intransitive, followed by the preposition per + infinitive, used to express a continous event which is near in the future, also figuratively) to be (almost) (+ gerund); to be going to (+ infinitive)

    Synonyms: stare quasi + gerund (more common), stare per + infinitive (more common)

    (Io) ero/stavo già per partire (per andare da qualche parte). ― I was (almost) already leaving/starting (to go somewhere).

    • 1835, Leopardi, Giacomo, “XV. Il sogno [XV. The dream]”, in Canti [Songs] (poetry collection), page 53:

      […] Ma sei tu per lasciarmi un’altra volta? […]

      […] Are you going to leave me another time? […]

      (literally, “[…] But are you to leave me another time? […]”)

31. (followed by the prepositions con, su or tra/fra, or the prepositional use of the adverb contro, or of the adverbal phrase a favore di) to be with/against; to be on/over; to be between/among

    Io sono con voi. ― I am with you

    essere contro la/a favore della guerra ― to be against/in favor of the war

    essere sulla bocca di tutti ― to be on the everyone’s lips

    essere sulle breccia ― to be in the breach

    essere tra/fra tanti ― to be among/between others

    essere (uno) tra/fra tanti ― to be (one) among others

32. (used to form prepositional phrases) to be; to have

    Quant’è (che costa) quest’orologio? ― How much is/costs this watch?

    Quant’è (che pesa/costa) questo cocomero/quest’anguria? ― How much is heavy/costs this watermelon?

    Quant’è (che pesa/costa) questo melone? ― How much is heavy/costs this melon?

    Cosa sarebbe a dire? ― What would (be) that mean?

    Vuol’essere un affare serio. ― It wants to be a serious business.

    Così sia. ― So be it.

    Allora che sia così. ― So that be it.

    Come se nulla fosse (accaduto). ― As if nothing had happened.

    Sia così sia/che cosà. ― Both in that way and in that other way.

    Sia che accada questo (sia) che accada quest’altro. ― Either/Whatever if happen this and if happen that.

    (Che) sia chi (si)/chiunque sia. ― Be whoever it be.

33. (intransitive, copula, used to put a subject in relation with a predicate (an adjective, a noun, a pronoun, the infinitive form of a verb, an adverb, ...)) to be

    La neve è bianca. ― The snow is white.

    La neve bianca è qui/lì. ― The white snow is here/there.

    La neve bianca era stata qui/lì. ― The white snow (was) been here/there.

    Carlo è un amico. ― Charles is a friend.

    Non so chi lui/egli/esso sia./Non so chi sia lui/egli/esso. ― I don’t know who be he.

    Questo non è vivere (bene). ― This is not living (well).

    Questo problema è difficile. ― This problem is difficult.

    Voglio fargli vedere chi sono (io/loro). ― I want to show him/them who I am/they are.

    Voglio mostrargli come sono/son fatto. ― I want to show him/them how I am done.

    Che è/Cos’è questo liquido? ― What is that liquid?

    Essente partito e non essendosi ancora fermato, lui è tutt’ora/ancora in movimento. ― Being started and not having stopped yet, he is still moving. (literally, “Being started and not having stopped yet, he is all now/is still in movement.”)

    (Io) sono stanco/affamato/(am)malato. ― I am tired/hungry/sick.

    essere seduto/seduta/seduti/sedute/a sedere ― to be sitting

    essere disteso/distesa/distesi/distese/sdraiato/sdraiata/sdraiati/sdraiate ― to be lying (down)

    essere in piedi/in posizione eretta ― to be standing

    essere in ginocchio ― to be on ones knees

    essere genuflesso ― to be genuflected

    essere la metà/il doppio di ... ― to be half/double of

    essere primo ― to be (the) first

    essere il diciottesimo classificato ― to be eighteenth ranked

    essere (il) diciottesimo in classifica ― to be eighteenth in the placings

    Quanti siete (voi)? ― How many are you?

    Suo fratello è un professionista. ― His brother is a professional.

    Le tigri sono (dei) felini. ― Tigers are felines.

    «sedia» è un nome/sostantivo. ― «chair» is a noun/substantive.

    è bene tacere ― it is good to be silent

    è meglio non parlarne ― it is better to not speak about it/them

    essere da più ― to be for more

    non essere da meno ― do not be outbone

    essere tutt’uno con qualcuno ― to be (all in) one with someone (literally, “to be all one with someone”)

    Quel bambino è tutto suo padre/papà/babbo. ― That child is all his father/dad.

    essere tutt’orecchi/tutt’orecchî/in ascolto ― to be all ears/listening

    Lo spettacolo sarà di grand’effetto ― The show will be of great effect/impressive.

    è fama discussa/indiscussa/è di discussa/indiscussa fama ― it is (of) disputed/undisputed fame

    è (una) voce comune che [...] ― it is a common voice that [...]

    è d’uso comune/non comune ― it is of common/uncommon use

    è di tradizione (diffusa)/è di (diffusa) tradizione ― it is of (widespread) tradition

34. (intransitive, copula, used to put a subject in relation with a predicate (an adjective, a noun, a pronoun, the infinitive form of a verb, an adverb, ...)) to be

    Synonyms: costituire, rappresentare, risolversi in

    È un piacere vederti. ― It is a pleasure to see you again.

    Questo è niente. ― This is nothing.

    Per me è già molto. ― For me it is already a lot.

    L’impresa era stata/fu un disastro. ― The activity was a disaster (literally, “The company was a disaster.”)

    L’attività era stata/fu un disastro. ― The activity was a disaster

    democrazia è libertà ― democracy is freedom

    volontà è potere ― want is power

Usage notes

• The present participle essente is very rare, and is usually replaced with stante, the present participle of stare, or with the present participles of its synonyms. Similarly the past participle essuto has disappeared, with stato, the past participle of stare, being used instead.
• The verb essere (including all its forms) is the word that occurs most frequently in speech and the most necessary for the expression of thought. It differs from all other verbs because, in its absolute use, it does not determine the subject, but only sets it as existing; used as a copula or as an auxiliary, it only performs the function of introducing the nominal or verbal predicate; it is therefore never, strictly speaking, a true predicate.

Conjugation

    Conjugation of essere, (truncated apocopic form) esser

infinitive	essere, (truncated apocopic form) esser
auxiliary verb		essere	gerund		essendo, (archaic) sendo
present participle		(rare, partially supplied) essente	past participle		stato, (archaic, supplied by stato) essuto, (archaic) suto
person	singular			plural
	first	second	third	first	second	third
indicative	io	tu	lui/lei, esso/essa	noi	voi	loro, essi/esse
present	sono, (truncated apocopic form) son	sei	è	siamo, (truncated apocopic form) siam, (archaic or regional) semo, (archaic or regional, truncated apocopic form) sem	siete, (archaic) sete	sono, (truncated apocopic form) son, (archaic or regional) enno, (archaic or regional, truncated apocopic form) en
imperfect	ero, (archaic or litarary) era	eri	era	eravamo, (truncated apocopic form) eravam	eravate	erano, (truncated apocopic form) eran
past historic	fui	fosti, (archaic) fusti	fu	fummo, (truncated apocopic form) fum	foste, (archaic) fuste	furono, (truncated apocopic form) furon, (archaic) furo, (archaic, truncated apocopic form) fur, (archaic) foro, (archaic, truncated apocopic form) for, (archaic) fuoro, (archaic, truncated apocopic form) fuor
future	sarò	sarai	sarà, (archaic) fia, (archaic) fie	saremo, (truncated apocopic form) sarem	sarete	saranno, (truncated apocopic form) saran, (archaic) fiano, (archaic, truncated apocopic form) fian, (archaic) fieno, (archaic, truncated apocopic form) fien
conditional	io	tu	lui/lei, esso/essa	noi	voi	loro, essi/esse
present	sarei, (archaic) saria, (archaic) fora	saresti	sarebbe, (archaic) saria, (archaic) fora	saremmo	sareste	sarebbero
subjunctive	che io	che tu	che lui/che lei, che esso/che essa	che noi	che voi	che loro, che essi/che esse
present	sia	sia	sia	siamo, (truncated apocopic form) siam	siate	siano, (truncated apocopic form) sian, (archaic) sieno, (archaic, truncated apocopic form) sien
imperfect	fossi, (archaic) fussi	fossi, (archaic) fussi	fosse, (archaic) fusse	fossimo, (truncated apocopic form) fossim, (archaic) fussimo	foste, (archaic) fuste	fossero, (archaic) fussero
imperative	—	tu	Lei	noi	voi	Loro
		sii, non essere/esser	sia	siamo, (truncated apocopic form) siam	siate	siano, (truncated apocopic form) sian

Derivated terms

• riessere (“to be again”)
• essermi/essermelo (“first-person singular reflexive/dative/accusative form”)
• esserci (“first-person plural reflexive/dative/accusative form, third-person/impersonal strumental/locative/lative form”)/essercelo (“first-person plural reflexive/dative/accusative form”)
• esserti/essertelo (“second-person singular reflexive/dative/accusative form”)
• esservi (“second-person plural reflexive/dative/accusative form, third-person/impersonal lative form”)/esservelo (“second-person plural reflexive/accusative/dative form”)
• essersi/esserselo (“impersonal/third-person reflexive form”)
• essergli (“third-person masculine singular dative form, third-person plural dative form”)/esserglielo (“third-person masculine singular accusative form, third-person plural dative form”)
• esserla (“third-person feminine singular dative form”)/esserle (“third-person plural feminine dative form, third-person singular feminine accusative form”)
• esserli (“third-person plural masculine accusative form”)/esserlo (“third-person masculine singular accusative form”)
• esserne (“third-person/impersonal relative form”)

Trivia

• The verb essere is officially considered, together with the verb avere, a verb of proper conjugation because it is an auxiliary verb, and, analitically, it is a second-conjugation irregular verb (one of the most irregular ones), furthermore it is a suppletive verb, having the tenses past historic indicative, past subjunctive, their compound forms, and the past participle derived from other roots than the one from which derives the present infinitive form.
• The verb essere the verb riessere and the forms derived applying a non-nominative pronoun, exceptionally with respect to other verbs, use the third-person plural present indicative forms (sono and its derived) and the third-person plural present/near-past perfect indicative forms (sono stato and its derivated) also to supply, respectively, the first-person singular present indicative forms and the first-person singular present/near-past perfect indicative forms.
• The past historic indicative and past subjunctive forms and their compound forms (respectively the past historic perfect/past anterior indicative and past perfect subjunctive forms) do not use the thematic vowels of any of the three regular conjugations (first-conjugation thematic vowel -a-, second-conjugation thematic vowel -e-, third-conjugation thematic vowel -i-), in their place the vowels -o- and -u- are used.
• The imperfect indicative, future indicative and present conditional forms, their compound forms (respectively pluperfect indicative, future perfect indicative and perfect conditional), and the second-person plural present imperative form, use the thematic vowel -a- of the first conjugation instead of the thematic vowel -e- of the second-conjugation; in the imperfect indicative and pluperfect indicative forms, moreover, the -ss- contained in the root it is replaced by a -r-.
• To the second-person plural present indicative, first-/second-/third-person singular and third-person plural present subjunctive forms, to their compound forms, and to the present imperative forms, except the first-person plural present imperative form, it is added an -i- at the end of the root before the tematic vowel (if used) and the conjugational suffix, while to the second-person singular present indicative form sei and to its compound form sei stato, it is added an -e- at the end of the root before the second-person singular present indicative suffix.
• To the present indicative, future indicative, present conditional and present subjunctive forms, to their compound forms (present/near-past perfect, future perfect, perfect conditional and present perfect subjunctive), and to the present imperative forms, it is dropped the initial es- from the root, leaving only s-, in particular, to the third-person singular present indicative and to its compound form, it is dropped the entire root, moving the implied stress from the initial e- of the root to the -e of the conjugational suffix and, to avoid ambiguity with the unstressed conjunction e (“and”), the accent is made explicit added an grave accent (è).

Noun

essere m (plural esseri) (diminutive esserino, meliorative esseruccio)

1. (uncountable, substantival use of the verbal voice, the condition of have life, reality, existence, the act of be living) being, living

   Synonyms: essenza, esistere, esistenza

   l’essere ed il nulla ― being and nothingness

2. (countable, substantival use of the verbal voice, the condition of have life, reality, existence, the act of be living) being, living

   Synonym: vivere (more common)

   passare dall’essere al non essere ― to pass from the living to the non-living

   scienza/problema dell’essere ― science/problem of being

   L’essere semplicissimo/Il semplicissimo essere ― The very simple being

   L’essere stesso/Il semplicissimo essere ― The being itself

   la totalità dell’essere ― the totality of being

3. (uncountable, substantival use of the verbal voice, the act/fact of exist, existence, life) being

   Synonyms: esistenza (countable), vita (countable)

   • 14–19 May 1835, Leopardi, Giacomo, “Dialogo di un fisico e di un metafisico [Dialogue of a physicist and a metaphysician]”, in Operette morali [Moral operettas] (collection of phylosophical novellas and dialogues), page 66:

     […] Nel qual modo, accrescerai propriamente la vita umana, ed empiendo quegli smisurati intervalli di tempo nei quali il nostro essere è piuttosto durare che vivere, ti potrai dar vanto di prolungarla. […]

     […] In this way, you will properly increase human life, and by filling up those immense intervals of time in which our being is rather lasting than living, you can boast of prolonging it. […]

4. (uncountable, way of being, condition, state, in relation to intrinsic qualities and properties, usually accompanied by a determination) being

   Synonyms: modo di essere, condizione, stato, essenza

   conoscere una persona/una cosa/un fatto nel suo vero essere ― to know a person/a thing/a fact in its true being

   (lui/lei/egli/ella/esso/essa/uno/una) gli domandò/chiese dell’esser suo ― he/she/it/one asked him about his being.

   • 1802–1874, Tommaseo, Niccolò, (Please provide the book title or journal name):

     […] l’essere dell’uomo dista grandemente da quel delle bestie […]

     […] the being of the man is very far from that of the beasts […]

5. (uncountable, in ancient phrases) being; living; existence; condition

   trovarsi in essere ― to be in being/to be living (literally, “to found oneself/oneselves in being”)

   • 1626–1697, Redi, Francesco, (Please provide the book title or journal name):

     […] le sue lettere son tutte in essere […]

     […] his letters are all in existence […]

6. (uncountable, in ancient phrases) being, condition

   Synonym: condizione (countable)

   in buon/cattivo essere ― in good/bad being/conditions

   mobili/casa in cattivo essere ― furniture/house/home in bad conditions

7. (uncountable, in ancient phrases) being, in good conditions

   Synonym: buone condizioni

   mio nonno è sempre in essere ― my grandad/grandfather is always in good conditions/healty/in prosperity

8. (uncountable, in ancient phrases) ready

   Synonym: pronto (countable)

   avere in essere ― to have ready

   • 1507–1566, Caro, Annibale, (Please provide the book title or journal name):

     […] fate che al mio ritorno la scena sia in essere […]

     […] let the scene be ready at my return […]

9. (uncountable, in ancient phrases) place, operation

   Synonym: esercizio (uncountable)

   porre in essere ― to put in place/into operation

10. (uncountable, concrete) being
    • 1321 (volume and full book), Alighieri, Dante, “I”, in Divina Commedia [Divine Commedy], volume Paradiso [Paradise] (allegorical-didactic poem, epic poetry), lines 110, 112–113:

      […] Tutte nature […] si muovono a diversi porti / per lo gran mar de l’essere […]

      […] All natures […] move to different ports / via the great sea of being/god […]

      (literally, “[…] All natures […] move themselves to different ports / via the great sea of being […]”)

11. (countable, concrete) being, creature

    È un essere spregevole. ― it is a despicable being/creature.

12. (countable, concrete, by extension) living being, creature

    Synonyms: essere vivente, creatura

    Lo stesso essere (vivente) ― The same (living) being/creature

13. (uncountable, philosophy, followed by ci) existence

    Synonym: esistenza

    l’esserci ― the existence

Derivated terms

• essere vivente (“living being”)
• essere umano (“human being”)

Related terms

• essenza (“essence”)
• futuro (“future”)

Trivia

• The stress pattern of the verb essere is ⟨èssere⟩.

References

Anagrams

• eresse

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Sardinian

Etymology

From Latin sum, from Proto-Italic *ezom, from Proto-Indo-European *h₁ésti (“I am, I exist”).

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈesseɾe/

Verb

essere

1. (intransitive) to be (to exist)

   Eo so su chi so ― I am who I am (literally, “I am that which I am”)

2. (intransitive) to be (to occupy a place)

   Est in Tatari ― [He] is in Sassari

Noun

essere ? (please provide plural)

1. being

   sos esseres umanos ― [the] human beings

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Tarantino

Verb

essere

1. (intransitive) to be

Usage notes

• Not used as an auxiliary verb.

Conjugation

    Conjugation of essere (highly irregular, suppletive)

infinitive	essere
gerund		?		past participle		?
person	singular			plural
	first	second	third	first	second	third
indicative	ije	tu	jidde / jèdde	nuje	vuje	lóre
present	so'	sì, sìnde	jè, jé, éte	síme	síte	sò, sònde
imperfect	ére	ìre	ére, jéve	èreme	írene	èrene, jèvene
perfect	fuéve	fuìste	fu'	fuèmme	fuèsteve	fúrene
subjunctive	cu ije	cu tu	cu jidde / cu jèdde	cu nuje	cu vuje	cu lóre
present	sije	sía	sije	síme	síte	síene
imperfect	fòsse	fuèsse	fòsse	fòsseme	fuèsseve	fòssere
imperative	–	tu	jidde / jèdde	nuje	vuje	lóre
	—	?	?	?	?	?