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verb · A1 · very often · UK/US

быть

be

Meaning of быть

существовать, иметь место или происходить

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A1very often

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Pronunciation
Russian[bɨtʲ]
be
быть - be
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быть with English translation

быть usage examples

🇬🇧English🇷🇺Russian

I want to be happy.

Я хочу быть счастливым.

🇬🇧English🇷🇺Russian

You should be on time.

Тебе следует быть вовремя.

Learn by topic

быть belongs to the topic "Top 300". Start with a short 7-word set so the word is easier to remember in context.

бытьbe
готовитьcook
менятьchange
завязыватьtie
следоватьfollow
убиратьremove
ощущатьсяfeel

быть synonyms

Related word breakdowns

What's the difference between быть / находиться / являться / существовать / оказаться / оставаться

🇷🇺Russian
быть

The basic verb meaning existence, state, or identity/class membership.

A1Very Often

He wants to be a doctor.

Он хочет быть врачом.

Н
🇷🇺Russian
находиться

Means to be located somewhere; focuses on location rather than existence in general.

A1Often

The shop is near the school.

Магазин находится рядом со школой.

Я
🇷🇺Russian
являться

A neutral/formal way to say 'to be', often in identity, classification, or official description.

A1Often

This book is a textbook.

Эта книга является учебником.

🇷🇺Russian

Emphasizes real existence; less about state, more about 'to exist in reality'.

A1Often

Water can exist in three states.

Вода может существовать в трёх состояниях.

О
🇷🇺Russian
оказаться

Means 'to turn out to be / find oneself'; often implies an unexpected result.

A1Often

He turned out to be right.

Он оказался прав.

О
🇷🇺Russian
оставаться

Means to remain in the same state or place; not just 'to be', but 'to continue being'.

A1Often

She remains calm.

Она остаётся спокойной.

И
🇷🇺Russian
иметься

Means 'to be available / to be present'; usually about the presence or availability of things.

A1Often

We have all the necessary documents.

У нас имеются все нужные документы.

С
🇷🇺Russian
стать

Means 'to become'; it focuses on change into a new state rather than simple existence.

A1Very Often

He became a teacher.

Он стал учителем.

What's the difference

Related words and lists for быть

How to pronounce быть and what this word means

быть translation: be. This page includes translation, pronunciation, transcription, audio, usage examples and related words.

how to pronounce быть

[bɨtʲ]

быть translation

be

быть examples

I want to be happy.

быть transcription

[bɨtʲ]

How this dictionary entry is reviewed

ZapomniEnglish prepares dictionary data automatically, then the editorial workflow checks high-frequency words, top lists, and pages that already receive search impressions first.

Translation and meaningPronunciation and transcriptionExamples, synonyms, and topics

Questions about this word

быть meaning: what does it mean?

существовать, иметь место или происходить

быть pronunciation: how do you pronounce it?

быть is pronounced as [bɨtʲ]. Audio is available on this page when the word has a recording.

быть definition and sentence examples: how is it used in a sentence?

I want to be happy. Translation: Я хочу быть счастливым.

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