be
An intransitive verb is one that does not require a direct object (e.g., éternuer.).
intransitive verb
a. être
The ocean is blue.L’océan est bleu.
b. avoir (used with certain states or feelings)
It seems like my brother is always hungry.On dirait que mon frère a toujours faim.
a. être
I'm not in a good mood today.Je ne suis pas de bonne humeur aujourd'hui.
b. avoir (used with certain states or feelings)
Soraya was cold all day because she didn't wear a sweater.Soraya a eu froid toute la journée parce qu'elle ne portait pas de pull.
c. aller
How are you?Comment vas-tu ?
a. être
The keys were on the coffee table.Les clés étaient sur la table basse.
b. se trouver
The bank is just past the gas station.La banque se trouve juste après la station-service.
a. être
The party is at my house.La fête est chez moi.
b. avoir lieu
The concert was last Saturday.Le concert a eu lieu samedi dernier.
a. avoir
I'm 18 years old, Mom. I can choose my own clothes.J'ai 18 ans, maman. Je peux choisir mes propres vêtements.
a. être
What does Silas do for a living? - He's a doctor.Que fait Silas dans la vie ? - Il est médecin.
a. être
My birthday is July 26.Mon anniversaire est le 26 juillet.
a. être
What time is it? - It's 10:30.Quelle heure est-il ? - Il est 10 h 30.
a. coûter
One pizza and two drinks are $15.Une pizza et deux boissons coûtent 15 $.
a. aller
I've been to New York three times.Je suis allé trois fois à New York.
a. faire
It is so hot today!Il fait tellement chaud aujourd'hui !
a. faire
Two plus five is seven.Deux plus cinq font sept.
An auxiliary verb, or helper verb, is a conjugated verb that comes before a main verb and determines the main verb's tense, mood, or aspect (e.g., avoir, être).
auxiliary verb
a. être en train de (followed by an infinitive)
Lorenzo is cutting the grass.Lorenzo est en train de tondre la pelouse.
b.
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
no direct translation
Alina was watching TV when we arrived.Alina regardait la télé quand nous sommes arrivés.
I am reading a magazine.Je lis un magazine.
a. être
The church was built in 1900.L'église a été construite en 1900.
a.
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
no direct translation
We are having dinner with the neighbors Friday night.Nous dînons avec les voisins vendredi soir.
When are you going to the dentist?Quand iras-tu chez le dentiste ?
a. devoir
You are to meet with the ambassador in the morning and tour the city after lunch.Vous devez rencontrer l'ambassadeur dans la matinée et visiter la ville après le déjeuner.
a.
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
no direct translation
It's a lovely day, isn't it?C'est une belle journée, non ?
Those exams are difficult, aren't they?Ces examens sont difficiles, n'est-ce pas ?
Conjugations
Participles
Present:
Past:
Indicative of "be"
Collins English Verb Conjugation Tables © HarperCollins Publishers 2023
Examples
Machine Translators
Translate be using machine translators
Random Word
Roll the dice and learn a new word now!
Why use the FrenchDictionary.com dictionary?

THE BEST FRENCH-ENGLISH DICTIONARY

Get More than a Translation

Get examples and pronunciations for millions of French words, English words, French phrases, and English phrases.

WRITTEN BY EXPERTS

Translate with Confidence

Access millions of accurate translations written by a team of experienced English-to-French and French-to-English translators.

FRENCH AND ENGLISH EXAMPLE SENTENCES

Learn by Example

Browse thousands of French-English example sentences throughout our dictionary.

CONNECT TO THE FRENCH-SPEAKING WORLD

Express Yourself in French

Browse nuanced French-to-English and English-to-French translations and find the word you’re looking for.
Word of the Day
to simmer