avoir

ByFast French

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

  • c pronunciation

    ByFast French

    The letter “c” can be pronounced in two different ways in French. It can be hard, like the first “c” in the word “coriace,” meaning “tough,” “leathery,” or “hard-headed,” pronounced [KOH REE AHSS]. Or it can be soft, like the last “c” in “coriace.” How do you know whether a “c” will be hard or…

  • violon d’Ingres

    ByFast French

    The French saying “violon d’Ingres” literally translates as “violin of Ingres.” What it really means is “hobby,” “pastime,” or “an activity that you enjoy outside your main job.” Jean-Auguste-Dominique Ingres was a 19th century painter who created a number of famous works, including Grande Baigneuse (1808), Oedipus and the Sphinx (1808), and La Grande Odalisque…

  • Possessive pronouns

    ByFast French

    Possessive pronouns replace nouns and show ownership or possession. They agree in gender and number with the nouns they replace. In English, they are “mine,” “yours,” “his,” “hers,” “ours,” and “theirs.” Here’s a comprehensive table listing the French possessive pronouns: Possessor Singular Plural 1st person le mien (mine) les miens (mine) la mienne (mine) les…

  • vivre vs habiter

    ByFast French

    Both vivre and habiter mean “to live” in French, but they are used in slightly different contexts. 1. Vivre – “To live” (in a broader sense) 2. Habiter – “To reside” (more specific) Key Difference: In everyday conversation, habiter is more common when talking about where someone lives physically, while vivre is used for broader…

  • verb: ranger & se ranger

    ByFast French

    Meanings Differences between “Ranger” and “Se Ranger” The primary distinction between “ranger” and “se ranger” is that “ranger” concerns organizing or tidying objects, while “se ranger” relates to individuals or entities taking up a particular position, figuratively or literally. Conjugation in Present Tense and Passé Composé Let’s examine how “ranger” and “se ranger” are conjugated…