Être is one of the first French verbs you'll learn, and one you'll use or see in almost every situation you encounter. You don't need to learn all of its nuances at once. Start with the core A1 uses, then build your range with common expressions and the mistakes that send English be to the wrong French verb.
A1: Core uses
Start with How to use être to learn the forms and everyday uses of être.
- Forms and grammar
- Full conjugation
- Saying your name or nationality
- Talking about location
- Describing someone or something
- Talking about professions
- Useful expressions using c'est
A2: Expressions and common errors
Next, continue with Expressions and common errors with être to expand the ways you can use être and avoid common mistakes.
- être d'accord
- être en retard / être à l'heure
- Ça y est
- être en train de
- Age: avoir, not être
- Hunger, thirst, and similar states: avoir, not être
- Introducing someone or something with c'est
- Expressing "there is" with il y a
Summary of être
As you progress, être expands from its most basic uses into fixed phrases and contrasts with other verbs:
| Level | Pattern | Meaning or use |
|---|---|---|
| A1 | être + identity | say who someone is |
| A1 | être + location | say where someone or something is |
| A1 | être + adjective | describe someone or something |
| A1 | être + profession | state someone's job, usually without an article |
| A1 | c'est | introduce or identify someone or something |
| A2 | être d'accord | agree |
| A2 | être en retard / être à l'heure | be late or on time |
| A2 | Ça y est | say that something is done, ready, or finally happening |
| A2 | être en train de + infinitive | emphasize that something is happening right now |
You don't need to learn all of these at once. Follow the learning path above and build on the patterns you already know.