Essere and stare are two very common verbs in Italian: both are irregular and — most importantly — both mean “to be.” While essere is the one ordinarily used to convey the English verb meaning “to be,” some common instances require stare instead. We will learn which ones, and we will explore some subtle differences between these two verbs. Ready? Let’s dive in!
How to use ‘essere’ in Italian?
The verb essere translates as “to be” and is used much like its English counterpart, that is:
to state the existence or the presence of something or someone. In this last case, you need an extra word, ci, that shortens to c’ when it comes before è.
Questo è un esempio di arte rinascimentale; lì, invece, c’è un’opera contemporanea.Translation: This is an example of art from the Renaissance; over there, instead, there's a contemporary piece of art.to describe something or someone, expressing a quality, condition, or frame of mind
La vernice è ancora fresca, ma l’appartamento è meraviglioso, e siamo molto felici!Translation: The paint is still fresh, but the apartment is wonderful, and we’re very happy!to indicate the location of something or someone
Milano è nell’Italia del nord.Translation: Milan is in Northern Italy.to state the place of origin or nationality
Amira è italiana, di Palermo. Annette, invece, è francese.Translation: Amira is Italian, from Palermo. Annette, on the other hand, is French.to indicate someone’s profession
Alessio è medico.Translation: Alessio is a doctor.to state relationship
Lui è mio cugino.Translation: He is my cousin.followed by the preposition di to express possession in Italian
Il quaderno rosso è di Anna.Translation: The red notebook is Anna’s.
fixed, colloquial, and idiomatic expressions essere is an irregular verb — but find some friendly patterns in conjugation of essere, and you're good to go!
Let’s now see when you need, instead, to use stare to express "to be."
How to use ‘stare’ in Italian?
The verb stare translates as “to stay” or “to remain” but can also sometimes be used where you might use “to be” in English. It is hence used:
to express the condition, or intention, of staying/remaining in a place
Stasera sto a casa.Translation: I’m staying home tonight.to state, or ask, how someone is.
Stare indicates here a temporary condition related to health or physical state and could therefore be replaced by sentirsi meaning to feel. If this stare is followed by something, this second word will be an adverb, not an adjective.
- Come stai, Caterina?Translation: How are you, Caterina?
- Sto benissimo, grazie!Translation: I’m very well, thanks!
in a series of fixed, colloquial, and idiomatic expressions
When (and where) ‘stare’ steals ‘essere’s’ job
In some Italian regions — mostly in the South— stare is widely used instead of essere in many instances:
to express location, as in:
Le chiavi stanno sul tavolo.Translation: The keys are on the table.This is used instead of the formally correct sentence: Le chiavi sono sul tavolo.
to express the presence of something or someone, as in:
Al concerto ci stava molta gente.Translation: There were many people at the concert.This is used in place of: Al concerto c’era molta gente.
to express a frame of mind (followed by an adjective):
Sto nervoso per l’esame.Translation: I’m anxious about the exam.This is used rather than: Sono nervoso per l’esame.
These usages of stare are generally accepted in the informal, spoken language but should be avoided when talking in more formal contexts, and always when writing.
‘Essere’ vs. ‘stare’: When it’s a matter of nuance
Sometimes, the difference between essere and stare can be a little tricky. Let’s consider a few instances:
current location vs. usual location, as in:
I cucchiai sono nel secondo cassetto.Translation: The spoons are in the second drawer.opposed to…
I cucchiai stanno nel secondo cassetto.Translation: The spoons are usually in the second drawer.While essere just states the location of the spoons, stare, in the second sentence, indicates where something normally is or is supposed to be.
feeling vs. intention. Compare:
Sono calma.Translation: I’m calm.to...
Sto calma.Translation: I’ll try / am going to be calm.In the first sentence, I’m simply describing the way I feel. Remember? If the verb expressing a feeling is followed by an adjective, essere is needed.
The second sentence focuses not much on my actual frame of mind, but on my intention. I might be calm or not now, but I will actively try to be calm (think “I’m being calm”). Sounds tortuous? Well, it’s a little mind-bending, indeed.
This is a nuance you won’t probably need to employ: but, if you hear a not-serene-looking Italian angrily state, “OK, OK, STO calmo!!” ... you'll know the reason.
presence vs. capacity
In questa piscina ci sono cinquanta persone.Translation: There are fifty people in this swimming-pool.or…
In questa piscina ci stanno cinquanta persone.Translation: This swimming-pool can contain/host fifty people.In the first sentence I’m just describing how many people are currently in the pool; the second sentence is, instead, an example of another meaning of stare — combined with ci, so starci: "to fit."
Summary
We have examined the meanings of essere and stare, their actual use, and we have learned a thing or two about subtle differences between them that will make you sound like a pro! If you had to take away one lesson from this post, that would be:
This is probably the only possibly confusing case for English speakers, since you would use “to be” in both sentences. Plus, Come stai? is one of the first questions you would probably be asked in Italian, so make sure to fare bella figura meaning make a good impression!
If you’d like to deeply explore a very common expression with stare — and you’re brave enough to do that in Italian — check out this article from the revered Treccani. You can also have a look here for more on essere and stare and practice with this test. And of course, we have prepared some great activities on essere vs. stare for you. Happy learning!
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