French Grammar Explained /
To have - How to use the verb "avoir"
Just like the verb être (to be), avoir (to have) is an irregular verb. So watch out when using it!
j' | → | ai |
tu | → | as |
il/elle/on | → | a |
nous | → | avons |
vous | → | avez |
ils/elles | → | ont |
What's on?
on is a general way to address a group of people and nobody in particular. We could translate it in English as one: "One always has time to drink tea!"
You sound like the queen...
Yes, it sounds silly in English, but it's not so bad in French. We'll get to that later though.
Here's a quick review of both verbs:
| AVOIR | ÊTRE |
je, j' | ai | suis |
tu | as | es |
il, elle, on | a | est |
nous | avons | sommes |
vous | avez | êtes |
ils, elles | ont | sont |
The verb avoir is also used to form many common expressions:
avoir froid | → | to be cold ⇒ to have cold |
avoir chaud | → | to be hot ⇒ to have hot |
avoir soif | → | to be thirsty ⇒ to have thirst |
avoir faim | → | to be hungry ⇒ to have hunger |
Cool, but do I need to know all of these?
Oh no, of course not, but it helps to be aware of this. You'll learn these and more expressions as you go along!
I'll focus on getting avoir and être right first...