avoir
have
The French verb 'avoir' corresponds to the English verb 'have'. However, 'avoir' is frequently used where 'be' is used in English as an auxiliary verb in various tenses and in expressions such as 'avoir faim' (to be hungry) and 'avoir besoin de' (to need).
Example sentences using: avoir
J'ai deux chiens.
I have two dogs.
This sentence expresses possession using 'avoir', meaning to have. When translated directly to English, 'J'ai' is 'I have' and 'deux chiens' is 'two dogs'.
Vous avez mon livre.
You have my book.
In this sentence, 'avoir' (in the form 'avez') is used to point out possession. 'Vous avez' translates to 'you have', and 'mon livre' to 'my book' in English.
Nous avons une grande maison.
We have a big house.
'Nous avons' (we have) is used here to talk about something that belongs or pertains to the speaker and others. 'Une grande maison' means 'a big house'.
Ils ont trois enfants.
They have three children.
'Ils ont' stands for 'they have' and is used to denote possession. The phrase 'trois enfants' translates to 'three children'.
Elle a un joli chapeau.
She has a nice hat.
In this sentence, 'Elle a' translates as 'she has', using 'avoir' to denote possession. 'Un joli chapeau' translates to 'a nice hat'.
Tu as une belle voiture.
You have a nice car.
'Tu as' stands for 'you have' and is used to denote possession. The phrase 'une belle voiture' translates to 'a nice car'.
J'ai faim.
I am hungry.
The French phrase 'J'ai faim' translates directly to 'I have hunger'. But in English, it's expressed as 'I am hungry'. This is an idiomatic use of 'avoir'.
Il a raison.
He is right.
'Il a raison' translates directly to 'He has reason', but is more commonly expressed in English as 'He is right'. This shows that 'avoir' can be used in idiomatic expressions.
On a du temps.
We have some time.
'On a du temps' translates to 'we have some time.' In French 'du' is a blend of the preposition 'de' and the definite article 'le', which creates a partitive article signifying 'some', used with masculine nouns.
Ils ont peur.
They are scared.
'Ils ont peur' translates directly to 'They have fear', but is more commonly expressed in English as 'They are scared'. This is another idiomatic use of 'avoir'.