A1 Italian GrammarCommon Verbs (essere, avere)
Master the two most essential Italian verbs: essere (to be) and avere (to have). These irregular verbs are used constantly in everyday speech and form the foundation for compound tenses. Learn their present tense conjugations and common expressions.
1Essere (To Be) - Conjugation
'Essere' is one of the most important Italian verbs. It is completely irregular and must be memorized. It is used to describe characteristics, professions, nationalities, locations (with 'ci'), and forms part of many common expressions.
Essere - Present Tense
| Person | Italian | English |
|---|---|---|
| io | sono | I am |
| tu | sei | you are (informal) |
| lui/lei/Lei | è | he/she is, you are (formal) |
| noi | siamo | we are |
| voi | siete | you are (plural) |
| loro | sono | they are |
Examples
Sono italiano.
I am Italian.
sono = I am (nationality)
Lei è molto gentile.
She is very kind.
è = he/she is
Siamo studenti.
We are students.
siamo = we are (profession)
Dove sei?
Where are you?
sei = you are (location)
2Essere - Common Uses
Use 'essere' for: identity and characteristics (È alta = She is tall), professions (Sono medico = I am a doctor), nationalities (Siete francesi? = Are you French?), time (Sono le tre = It is 3 o'clock), and with 'c'è/ci sono' for existence.
Uses of Essere
| Use | Example | English |
|---|---|---|
| Characteristic | Il libro è interessante. | The book is interesting. |
| Profession | Maria è insegnante. | Maria is a teacher. |
| Nationality | Siamo americani. | We are American. |
| Time | È l'una. | It is one o'clock. |
| C'è/Ci sono | C'è un problema. | There is a problem. |
Examples
C'è un ristorante qui vicino?
Is there a restaurant nearby?
c'è = there is
Ci sono molti turisti in città .
There are many tourists in the city.
ci sono = there are
È pronto il pranzo?
Is lunch ready?
essere + adjective
Di dove sei?
Where are you from?
essere + origin
3Avere (To Have) - Conjugation
'Avere' means 'to have' and is irregular. Note that it starts with 'h' in some forms (ho, hai, ha, hanno) - the 'h' is silent but distinguishes these from other words. 'Avere' is used for possession, age, and many idiomatic expressions.
Avere - Present Tense
| Person | Italian | English |
|---|---|---|
| io | ho | I have |
| tu | hai | you have (informal) |
| lui/lei/Lei | ha | he/she has, you have (formal) |
| noi | abbiamo | we have |
| voi | avete | you have (plural) |
| loro | hanno | they have |
Examples
Ho una sorella.
I have a sister.
ho = I have (possession)
Hai tempo?
Do you have time?
hai = you have
Abbiamo fame.
We are hungry.
abbiamo = we have (idiom)
I bambini hanno sonno.
The children are sleepy.
hanno = they have
4Avere - Idiomatic Expressions
Italian uses 'avere' where English uses 'to be' for many expressions: avere fame (to be hungry), avere sete (to be thirsty), avere sonno (to be sleepy), avere freddo/caldo (to be cold/hot), avere paura (to be afraid), avere anni (age).
Avere Expressions
| Italian | Literal | English Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| avere fame | to have hunger | to be hungry |
| avere sete | to have thirst | to be thirsty |
| avere sonno | to have sleep | to be sleepy |
| avere freddo | to have cold | to be cold |
| avere caldo | to have heat | to be hot |
| avere paura | to have fear | to be afraid |
| avere ... anni | to have years | to be ... years old |
| avere ragione | to have reason | to be right |
Examples
Quanti anni hai? Ho venticinque anni.
How old are you? I am 25 years old.
avere + anni for age
Ho freddo, puoi chiudere la finestra?
I am cold, can you close the window?
avere freddo = to be cold
Hai ragione, mi sono sbagliato.
You are right, I was wrong.
avere ragione = to be right
Non ho paura del buio.
I am not afraid of the dark.
avere paura = to be afraid