English learners often confuse être and avoir because they translate so literally, but each French verb serves different functions and idiomatic expressions. This guide highlights their core uses and key expressions to help you choose the right verb in context.
Être – To Be
Use être to describe identity, characteristics, location, time, and to form the passive voice. It also appears in many fixed expressions and when forming certain compound tenses with adjectives.
Key Expressions with Être
Examples
Avoir – To Have
Use avoir to express possession, age, sensations, needs, and when forming many idiomatic phrases. It is also the auxiliary for most compound tenses, which reinforces its use in describing actions.
Key Expressions with Avoir
Examples
Special Expressions
Some common expressions use être or avoir in ways that learners must memorize because they do not translate literally. These set phrases often signal time, mood, or physical states.
Expressions with Avoir
Expressions with Être
Summary
In short, use être for identity, description, location, and time, and avoir for possession, age, sensations, and typical idioms. Learn the key expressions for each to sound natural and choose quickly between the two verbs.
Last updated: Fri Oct 24, 2025