avoir

The second most frequently used verb in French is “avoir,” which means “to have.” It can also be used to talk about how old someone is. “Avoir” is an essential verb to know.

  1. Je (I) – ai Ex: J’ai un chat. (I have a cat.)
  2. Tu (You, singular informal) – as Ex: Tu as une voiture. (You have a car.)
  3. Il/Elle/On (He/She/One) – a Ex: Il a un livre. (He has a book.)
  4. Nous (We) – avons Ex: Nous avons une maison. (We have a house.)
  5. Vous (You, plural or formal) – avez Ex: Vous avez un chien. (You have a dog.)
  6. Ils/Elles (They) – ont Ex: Ils ont un vélo. (They have a bike.)

“Avoir” is also used to express age. For instance:

  • J’ai vingt ans. (I am twenty years old.)
  • Tu as trente ans. (You are thirty years old.)
  • Il a quarante ans. (He is forty years old.)

Don’t miss new articles!

Get 1 email a week with new articles about French

We don’t spam! Read more in our privacy policy

Similar Posts

  • verbs with à

    Some French verbs require the preposition à before their object, whether that object is a noun or an infinitive. Learning these verbs as fixed expressions is necessary because the preposition is not optional. Verbs followed by “à” before a person or thing These verbs require à when the object is a person or thing. Verbs…

  • c’est for people

    C’est is one of the most common expressions in French. It comes from ce (this, that) plus est (is), and it literally means “it is” or “this is.” English speakers usually reach for “he is” or “she is” when talking about a person, but French often reaches for c’est instead. This is not a mistake…

  • seize

    Several French verbs can translate to the English word “seize,” each with distinct nuances. The most common are saisir, s’emparer de, and sauter sur. While they share the general idea of taking hold of something, their usage varies depending on context, intention, and tone. Saisir Saisir is the most neutral and versatile of the three…

  • Telling time

    The french tell time in two ways. The common way for everyday speech. And the official way for timetables, tv guides, and train schedules. the 12-hour clock For ordinary life, the french use the 12-hour clock like english speakers do. But they say things a little differently. To ask the time, you say: To answer,…

  • phoque

    “Un phoque” is a French masculine noun meaning “a seal,” referring to the marine mammal. Idiomatic expressions Etymology The word “phoque” is derived from the Latin “phoca,” a feminine noun meaning “seal.” Its first surviving recorded usage in French was in 1532, when it was spelled “focque.” By 1573 its spelling had changed to “phoque”…

  • Auxiliary verbs

    French auxiliary verbs, also known as helper verbs, are used alongside main verbs to express tense, mood, or voice. Some of the most common auxiliary verbs in French include aller, vouloir, devoir, savoir, and pouvoir. These verbs modify the meaning of the main verb and are essential for constructing various grammatical structures. Aller (To Go)…