esistere

Esistere is an Italian verb meaning "to exist" or "to be in existence." It denotes the fact of being real or having objective being. The verb is intransitive and normally takes a subject, without a direct object. It is used to express existence in general or the presence of something within a context. In compound tenses it uses the auxiliary essere, for example sono esistito/esistita, sei esistito/esistita, è esistito/esistita, siamo esistiti(esistite), sono esistiti(esistite).

Etymology and usage: esistere comes from Latin existere, formed from ex- "out" + sistere "to stand." It has been part of the Italian lexicon since medieval times and has expanded into scientific and philosophical vocabulary as a fundamental concept of existence.

Conjugation and form: esistere is an -ere verb with irregular present forms. Common present indicative forms are io esisto, tu esisti, lui/lei esiste, noi esistiamo, voi esistete, essi esistono. Imperfect: esistevo, esistevi, esisteva, esistevamo, esistevate, esistevano. The past participle is esistito (masc.) or esistita (fem.), used with avere in some compounds and with essere in compound tenses, yielding sono esistito/a, sei esistito/a, è esistito/a, siamo esistiti/e, siete esistiti/e, sono esistiti/e.

Philosophical usage: esistere is central in discussions of ontology and existentialism. In Italian translations of existentialist works, phrases such as L'esistenza precede l'essenza are common, illustrating the distinction between existing and essential nature. In everyday language, esistere contrasts with verbs like vivere (to live) and esserci (to be there), signaling mere being versus active life or presence.