Être, Avoir, and Expressions | Verbs | Parts Of Speech | French

This short guide covers être, avoir, key expressions that shape meaning, and how to use them in everyday speech.

Être

Être is a fundamental verb used for identity, description, location, and forming compound tenses. Learn its present forms and common usages.

	French Conjugation	English Translation
	je suis	I am
	tu es	you are
	il/elle/on est	he/she/one is
	nous sommes	we are
	vous êtes	you (pl.) are
	ils/elles sont	they are

Examples

Fill in the Blankje(être) content aujourd'hui

I am happy today

Avoir

Avoir is used for possession, age, sensations, and as an auxiliary in many expressions. Learn its present forms and typical phrases.

	French Conjugation	English Translation
	j’ai	I have
	tu as	you have
	il/elle/on a	he/she/one has
	nous avons	we have
	vous avez	you (pl.) have
	ils/elles ont	they have

Examples

Key Expressions with Être

Set expressions with être convey time, mood, and necessity. They often use infinitives and shape how you plan or describe situations.

	French Expression	English Translation
	être en train de	to be in the middle of
	être prêt à	to be ready to
	être sur le point de	to be about to
	être d’accord	to agree
	être de retour	to be back
	être de bonne humeur	to be in a good mood
	être en retard	to be late

Examples

Key Expressions with Avoir

Expressions with avoir describe physical states, needs, and time. They are essential for everyday communication about hunger, fear, and more.

	French Expression	English Translation
	avoir faim	to be hungry
	avoir soif	to be thirsty
	avoir chaud	to be hot
	avoir froid	to be cold
	avoir peur	to be afraid
	avoir besoin de	to need
	avoir envie de	to want / to feel like
	avoir raison	to be right
	avoir tort	to be wrong

Examples

Summary

Être and avoir are cornerstones of French; être marks identity and state while avoir signals possession and sensations. Learn their key expressions to speak naturally.

Last updated: Fri Oct 24, 2025