The verb essere (to be) is one of the most commonly used verbs in Italian. It is important to learn this verb inside and out, as you will hear it in almost every conversation you have!

In the present tense, it is conjugated as follows:

It is common, but not required, to omit the subject pronoun in both spoken and written Italian:

I am American.

Io sono americano.

ee-oh SOH-noh ah-meh-ree-CAH-noh

I am American.

Sono americano.

Essere can be used to indicate provenance when followed by the preposition di + a place name:

We are from Philadelphia.

Siamo di Philadelphia.

see-YAH-moh dee fill-ah-DEHL-fee-yah

To find out where someone is from, ask the question:

Di dove sei? (informal)

dee DOH-veh say?

Di dov'è? (formal)

dee doh-VEH?

Essere can be used to indicate possession when followed by the preposition di + a noun or a proper name:

It's my wife's suitcase.

è la valigia di mia moglie.

eh lah vah-LEE-jah dee mee-ah MOHL-yay

It's Paul's.

è di Paul. eh dee Paul

To find out to whom something belongs, ask the question:

Whose is it?

Di chi è? dee key eh

Whose are they?

Di chi sono? dee key SOH-noh