avoir
to have
Beginner Verb
🔊
Pronunciation
/avwaʁ/
💡
Cultural Note
Avoir is the default auxiliary verb for passé composé in French. Unlike English, French uses 'avoir' for age ('j'ai vingt ans' — I am twenty), hunger ('j'ai faim'), thirst, and being hot or cold. Only about 17 verbs of motion plus all reflexives use 'être' instead.
📝 Example Sentences
J'ai deux frères.
I have two brothers.
Tu as faim ?
Are you hungry?
Elle a eu beaucoup de chance.
She was very lucky.