être
to be
Beginner Verb
🔊
Pronunciation
/ɛtʁ/
💡
Cultural Note
Être is one of the two most essential French verbs. It serves as the auxiliary for the passé composé of motion and reflexive verbs (e.g., 'elle est allée' not 'elle a allée'). The famous philosophical declaration 'Je pense, donc je suis' (I think, therefore I am) by Descartes uses this verb.
📝 Example Sentences
Je suis français.
I am French.
Nous sommes contents de vous voir.
We are happy to see you.
Elle est partie hier soir.
She left last night.