Essential verbs

Avoir expressions: when French says have, not be.

French often uses avoir, to have, where English uses to be. These expressions are everyday French, not exceptions to ignore.

Feelings and physical states

• J'ai faim. I am hungry.
• J'ai soif. I am thirsty.
• J'ai froid. I am cold.
• J'ai chaud. I am hot.
• J'ai peur. I am afraid.

Age uses avoir

In French, you have years: J'ai trente ans, I am thirty years old. Do not say je suis trente ans.

Need and desire

Avoir besoin de means to need, and avoir envie de means to feel like or want.

• J'ai besoin d'aide. I need help.
• J'ai envie d'un café. I feel like having a coffee.

Practice in context

J'ai froid et j'ai envie d'un thé. I am cold and I feel like having tea.

Learn these as whole phrases. Translating word by word will make them feel strange; using them often will make them feel natural.