Conjugation of esse in Latin
esse — Present Tense
The verb esse means "To be" in Latin. It is one of the most important and irregular verbs in the language. Unlike regular verbs, esse does not follow the usual endings, so you need to memorize its forms. This verb is used to describe existence, identity, or state, just like "to be" in English.
Conjugation Table
| Person | Latin | English |
|---|---|---|
| 1st sg. | sum | I am |
| 2nd sg. | es | you are |
| 3rd sg. | est | he/she/it is |
| 1st pl. | sumus | we are |
| 2nd pl. | estis | you (pl.) are |
| 3rd pl. | sunt | they are |
Example Sentences
- Sum discipulus. (I am a student.)
- Es magister. (You are a teacher.)
- Est puella. (She is a girl.)
The irregularity of esse is clear because its forms do not look like each other or like regular verbs. The verb esse is also the root for many English words, like "sum," "essence," and "essential," all relating to being or existence.
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