How it works
Être means “to be”. Its present form changes with the subject: je suis, tu es, il/elle/on est, nous sommes, vous êtes, ils/elles sont. Use the subject to choose the form. Vous uses êtes for both a polite singular “you” and a plural “you”.
subject + present form of être
| Context or function | French form |
|---|---|
| First person singular | je suis |
| Second person singular | tu es |
| Third person singular | elle est |
| First person plural | nous sommes |
| Second person plural | vous êtes |
| Third person plural | ils sont |
See it in a sentence
Je suis ici.
I am here.
Suis agrees with the subject je.
Vous êtes à Paris.
You are in Paris.
Êtes agrees with vous, whether it addresses one person politely or several people.
Put it into practice
Try it yourself
5 questions, with feedback after every answer. No account needed.
