Avoir is one of the most common French verbs. It is irregular in conjugation and literally means "to have." In addition, it is used in numerous idiomatic expressions and as an auxiliary verb.
To Have
Avoir means "to have" in most senses, including having in one's possession and currently experiencing.
- J'ai deux stylos
I have two pens
J'ai trois frères
I have three brothers
J'ai mal à la tête
I have a headache
J'ai une idée
I have an idea
J'ai été eu
I've been had (tricked)
Expressions with Avoir
Avoir is used in a number of idiomatic expressions, many of which are translated by the English verb "to be":
- J'ai 30 ans
I am 30 years old
J'ai soif
I am thirsty
J'ai froid
I am cold
Il y a…
There is/are…
Auxiliary Verb
Avoir is the auxiliary for most French verbs in the compound tenses (exceptions):
- J'ai déjà étudié
I have already studied.
J'aurai mangé avant ton arrivée
I will have eaten before you arrive
Si j'avais su, je t'aurais téléphoné
If I had known, I would have called you
Conjugations
Present tense
- j'ai
tu as
il a
nous avons
vous avez
ils ont
