What is the difference between ESSERE and STARE?
Sam asks: “When do I say SONO and when STO?“
What's the difference between ESSERE (to stay) and STARE (to be) ?
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ESSERE (to be) – STARE (to stay)
Confusion:
Dialects
Similar Meanings
STANDARD ITALIAN = ENGLISH
I am..
I stay..
*exceptions apply!
▷ EXAMPLES
Sono Manu
“I am Manu”
Sono Italiano
“I am Italian”
Sono alto 170cm
“I am 170cm tall”
Sono stanco
“I am tired”
Sono sportivo
“I am sporty”
Sto a casa
“Stay at home”
Sto in albergo
“Stay in the hotel”
STARE = RESTARE (to remain) ALLOGGIARE (to lodge)
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STANDARD ITALIAN MILD DISTINCTION
ESSERE (permanent state) – STARE (temporary state)
English Examples:
Where are you staying in Rome?
Stay calm!
Stay happy!
Be happy!
Be good!
Stay still!
ITALIAN DIALECTS STRONG DISTINCTION
ESSERE (permanent state) STARE (temporary state)
Spanish SER / ESTAR
(Dialects Only) – the words are often interchangeable, but the usage is colloquial.
▷ Some Examples
Sono Manu
Sono italiano
Sto stanco (Standard:Sono stanco)
Sto arrabbiato (Standard:Sono arrabbiato)
Stai fuori
EXCEPTIONS: (when talking about health or emotional state)
▷ Some Examples
Come stai?
“How are you?”
Sto bene
“I’m fine”
Stare attento
“pay attention”
Stare zitto
“be quiet/shut up”
Stare buono
“be good”
AVERE + (“to be” in English)
FAME (hungry)
SETE (thirsty)
SONNO (sleepy)
PAURA (scared)
CALDO (hot)
FREDDO (cold)
RAGIONE / TORTO (right/wrong)
ESSERE & STARE – have the same Past Participle.
SONO STATO
I was / I have been
I stayed / I have
stayed
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You will also get immediate access to this lesson's accompanying PDF with detailed Summary Notes
& practice Exercises with answers!
