Italian conjugation explanation

Essere vs. Stare

<p>One of the most common difficulties for learners of Italian is the distinction between the verbs

<a class="conjugation_explanation_link_intext verb_link" href="/study/conjugations/ita/essere/" title="Click to see conjugations for essere" target="_blank">essere</a>

<a class="conjugation_explanation_link_intext verb_link" href="/study/conjugations/ita/stare/" title="Click to see conjugations for stare" target="_blank">stare</a>

<p>As a general rule: <strong>essere</strong> is the default verb for "to be" (identity, qualities, simple location, feelings), while <strong>stare</strong> translates more accurately to "to stay", "to remain", or "to stand."</p>

<div class="conjugation_explanation_title">When to use ESSERE</div>

<p>

<a class="conjugation_explanation_link_intext verb_link" href="/study/conjugations/ita/essere/" title="Click to see conjugations for essere" target="_blank">Essere</a>

<ul>

<li>

<div><strong>Identity, Origin, and Profession:</strong></div>

<div class="conjugation_explanation_example_sentence">Io <span class="green_emphasis">sono</span> Giorgio. (<span style="font-style: italic;">I am Giorgio.</span>)</div>

<div class="conjugation_explanation_example_sentence">Noi <span class="green_emphasis">siamo</span> italiani. (<span style="font-style: italic;">We are Italian.</span>)</div>

</li>

<li>

<div><strong>Physical and Emotional States (Adjectives):</strong></div>

<div><em>Note: unlike Spanish (which uses Estar), Italian uses <strong>Essere</strong> for temporary feelings like happiness, anger, or tiredness.</em></div>

<div class="conjugation_explanation_example_sentence">Lui <span class="green_emphasis">è</span> felice. (<span style="font-style: italic;">He is happy.</span>)</div>

<div class="conjugation_explanation_example_sentence">Oggi <span class="green_emphasis">sono</span> stanco. (<span style="font-style: italic;">Today I am tired.</span>)</div>

</li>

<li>

<div><strong>Location / Existence:</strong></div>

<div>Use <em>essere</em> to describe where an object or person is located at this moment.</div>

<div class="conjugation_explanation_example_sentence">Dov'<span class="green_emphasis">è</span> il bagno? (<span style="font-style: italic;">Where is the bathroom?</span>)</div>

<div class="conjugation_explanation_example_sentence">Il libro <span class="green_emphasis">è</span> sul tavolo. (<span style="font-style: italic;">The book is on the table.</span>)</div>

</li>

<li>

<div><strong>Time and Dates:</strong></div>

<div class="conjugation_explanation_example_sentence"><span class="green_emphasis">Sono</span> le tre. (<span style="font-style: italic;">It is three o'clock.</span>)</div>

</li>

</ul>

<div class="conjugation_explanation_title">When to use STARE</div>

<p>

<a class="conjugation_explanation_link_intext verb_link" href="/study/conjugations/ita/stare/" title="Click to see conjugations for stare" target="_blank">Stare</a>

<ul>

<li>

<div><strong>Health idioms (How one is doing):</strong></div>

<div>This is distinct from describing a feeling like "tired" or "happy." It is used for general well-being.</div>

<div class="conjugation_explanation_example_sentence">Come <span class="green_emphasis">stai</span>? (<span style="font-style: italic;">How are you?</span>)</div>

<div class="conjugation_explanation_example_sentence"><span class="green_emphasis">Sto</span> bene, grazie. (<span style="font-style: italic;">I am well, thanks.</span>)</div>

</li>

<li>

<div><strong>Progressive Actions (Stare + Gerund):</strong></div>

<div>This forms the

<a class="conjugation_explanation_link_intext" href="/study/tenseGuideForTense/130/" target="_blank">Present Continuous</a>

<div class="conjugation_explanation_example_sentence"><span class="green_emphasis">Sto</span>

<a class="conjugation_explanation_link_intext verb_link" href="/study/conjugations/ita/mangiare/" title="Click to see conjugations for mangiare" target="_blank">mangiando</a>

<div class="conjugation_explanation_example_sentence">Cosa <span class="green_emphasis">stanno</span> facendo? (<span style="font-style: italic;">What are they doing?</span>)</div>

</li>

<li>

<div><strong>Staying or Remaining:</strong></div>

<div>Used when stating that someone is staying in a place rather than moving.</div>

<div class="conjugation_explanation_example_sentence">Stasera <span class="green_emphasis">sto</span> a casa. (<span style="font-style: italic;">Tonight I am staying at home.</span>)</div>

<div class="conjugation_explanation_example_sentence">Lui <span class="green_emphasis">sta</span> con me. (<span style="font-style: italic;">He is staying with me.</span>)</div>

</li>

<li>

<div><strong>Commands (Imperative) and Idioms:</strong></div>

<div><em>Stare</em> is used in fixed expressions about behavior or vigilance.</div>

<div class="conjugation_explanation_example_sentence"><span class="green_emphasis">Stai</span> zitto! (<span style="font-style: italic;">Be quiet! / Shut up!</span>)</div>

<div class="conjugation_explanation_example_sentence"><span class="green_emphasis">Stai</span> attento! (<span style="font-style: italic;">Pay attention! / Be careful!</span>)</div>

</li>

</ul>

<div class="conjugation_explanation_title">Comparison</div>

<p>The distinction can be subtle, especially regarding location and attributes.</p>

<ul>

<li>

<div><strong>Presence (Essere) vs. Remaining (Stare):</strong></div>

<div class="conjugation_explanation_example_sentence">Maria <span class="green_emphasis">è</span> a casa. (<span style="font-style: italic;">Maria is at home - simple fact of location.</span>)</div>

<div class="conjugation_explanation_example_sentence">Maria <span class="green_emphasis">sta</span> a casa. (<span style="font-style: italic;">Maria is staying home - she isn't going out.</span>)</div>

</li>

<li>

<div><strong>Quality (Essere) vs. Behavior (Stare):</strong></div>

<div class="conjugation_explanation_example_sentence">Il caffè <span class="green_emphasis">è</span> buono. (<span style="font-style: italic;">The coffee is good - it tastes good.</span>)</div>

<div class="conjugation_explanation_example_sentence">Il cane <span class="green_emphasis">sta</span> buono. (<span style="font-style: italic;">The dog is behaving/staying calm.</span>)</div>

</li>

</ul>

<div class="conjugation_explanation_title">Conjugation Tables</div>

<p>Both verbs are highly irregular in the

<a class="conjugation_explanation_link_intext" href="/study/tenseGuideForTense/36/" target="_blank">Present Indicative</a>

<div class="study_conjugations_tense_container">

<a class="study_conjugations_tense_label box_label tense_box no_dark_mode " href="/study/tenseGuideForTense/36/" target="_blank" title="Open tense guide">Presente</a>

<div class="study_conjugations_conjugation conjugations_table two_columns">

<div class="study_conjugations_forms conjugation_forms highlighted_conjugation">

<div class="conjugation_form">

<span><span class="study_conjugations_pronoun conjugation_pronoun">

io

</span><span class="irregular_conjugation" title="irregular conjugation">sono<span class="irregularity_circle">&#9679;</span></span></span>

</div>

</div>

<div class="study_conjugations_forms conjugation_forms highlighted_conjugation">

<div class="conjugation_form">

<span><span class="study_conjugations_pronoun conjugation_pronoun">

tu

</span><span class="irregular_conjugation" title="irregular conjugation">sei<span class="irregularity_circle">&#9679;</span></span></span>

</div>

</div>

<div class="study_conjugations_forms conjugation_forms highlighted_conjugation">

<div class="conjugation_form">

<span><span class="study_conjugations_pronoun conjugation_pronoun">

lui

</span><span class="irregular_conjugation" title="irregular conjugation">è<span class="irregularity_circle">&#9679;</span></span></span>

</div>

</div>

<div class="study_conjugations_forms conjugation_forms highlighted_conjugation">

<div class="conjugation_form">

<span><span class="study_conjugations_pronoun conjugation_pronoun">

noi

</span><span class="irregular_conjugation" title="irregular conjugation">siamo<span class="irregularity_circle">&#9679;</span></span></span>

</div>

</div>

<div class="study_conjugations_forms conjugation_forms highlighted_conjugation">

<div class="conjugation_form">

<span><span class="study_conjugations_pronoun conjugation_pronoun">

voi

</span><span class="irregular_conjugation" title="irregular conjugation">siete<span class="irregularity_circle">&#9679;</span></span></span>

</div>

</div>

<div class="study_conjugations_forms conjugation_forms highlighted_conjugation">

<div class="conjugation_form">

<span><span class="study_conjugations_pronoun conjugation_pronoun">

loro

</span><span class="irregular_conjugation" title="irregular conjugation">sono<span class="irregularity_circle">&#9679;</span></span></span>

</div>

</div>

</div>

</div>

<div class="study_conjugations_tense_container">

<a class="study_conjugations_tense_label box_label tense_box no_dark_mode " href="/study/tenseGuideForTense/36/" target="_blank" title="Open tense guide">Presente</a>

<div class="study_conjugations_conjugation conjugations_table two_columns">

<div class="study_conjugations_forms conjugation_forms highlighted_conjugation">

<div class="conjugation_form">

<span><span class="study_conjugations_pronoun conjugation_pronoun">

io

</span>sto

</span>

</div>

</div>

<div class="study_conjugations_forms conjugation_forms highlighted_conjugation">

<div class="conjugation_form">

<span><span class="study_conjugations_pronoun conjugation_pronoun">

tu

</span><span class="irregular_conjugation" title="irregular conjugation">stai<span class="irregularity_circle">&#9679;</span></span></span>

</div>

</div>

<div class="study_conjugations_forms conjugation_forms highlighted_conjugation">

<div class="conjugation_form">

<span><span class="study_conjugations_pronoun conjugation_pronoun">

lui

</span>sta

</span>

</div>

</div>

<div class="study_conjugations_forms conjugation_forms highlighted_conjugation">

<div class="conjugation_form">

<span><span class="study_conjugations_pronoun conjugation_pronoun">

noi

</span>stiamo

</span>

</div>

</div>

<div class="study_conjugations_forms conjugation_forms highlighted_conjugation">

<div class="conjugation_form">

<span><span class="study_conjugations_pronoun conjugation_pronoun">

voi

</span>state

</span>

</div>

</div>

<div class="study_conjugations_forms conjugation_forms highlighted_conjugation">

<div class="conjugation_form">

<span><span class="study_conjugations_pronoun conjugation_pronoun">

loro

</span><span class="irregular_conjugation" title="irregular conjugation">stanno<span class="irregularity_circle">&#9679;</span></span></span>

</div>

</div>

</div>

</div>