We’ve already seen how to use être with a verb to talk about past actions that express movement or change (for example, Elle est allée). Here are a few more verbs that use être.
| entrer | monter |
|---|---|
| rentrer | descendre |
| partir | venir |
| sortir | revenir |
| retourner | devenir |
Remember that the verb after être also changes to match the person!
Elle est rentrée chez elle.
She went back home.
Nous sommes sortis ensemble.
We went out together.
Elles sont parties en vacances.
They left on vacation.
Il est devenu professeur.
He became a teacher.
Monter can mean go up, come up, or climb up depending on the context!
Je monte à l’étage.
I’m going upstairs.
Je monte !
I’m coming up!
Le chat est monté sur le toit.
The cat climbed up on the roof.
Likewise, descendre can mean go, come, or climb down.
Alain descend l’escalier.
Alain is going down the stairs.
Tu descends ?
Are you coming down?
Les enfants descendent de l’arbre.
The children are climbing down the tree.