This is the 20th most frequent Italian word.
essere
"Essere" means "to be" in English.
The word 'essere' is used as an infinitive verb that means 'to be'.
Essere una persona gentile è importante.
Being a kind person is important.
The word 'sono' is a conjugated form of 'essere' in the first-person singular present tense, meaning 'I am'.
Io sono felice oggi.
I am happy today.
The word 'essere' here serves as an infinitive verb that conveys the state of being truthful to oneself.