Avoir or être?
The French language often uses the verb ‘avoir’ (to have) in expressions where the English language uses ‘être’ (to be). It can be difficult to know when to use avoir or être but we’re here to help!
Here are just a few examples of phrases which use be in English but take avoir in French
Avoir…..
… X ans – to be X years old
… faim – to be hungry
… soif – to be thirsty
… chaud to be hot
… froid – to be cold
… de la chance – to be lucky
… raison – to be right
… tort – to be wrong
… mal – to be in pain
… envie de – to want, to feel like
… besoin de – to need
A REMINDER….
ETRE – to be
Je suis – I am
Tu es – you are
Il/elle/on est – he/she/one is
Nous sommes – we are
Vous êtes – you (plural & polite) are
Ils/elles sont – they are
AVOIR – to have
J’ai – I have
Tu as – you have
Il/elle/on a – he/she/one has
Nous avons – we have
Vous avez – you (plural & polite) have
Ils/elles ont – they have
Now have a go at this quiz to see if you know your ‘être’ from your ‘avoir’.
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