The Verb Avoir: J’ai
Introduction to the different uses of the verb ‘Avoir’ (to have) via a friendly video clip for practice using the 1st person in context:
J’ai
J’ai comes from: Je + ai
J’ai = I have
J’ai un chien
= I have a dog
Try to picture the idea of having hunger or having years that belong to you …
Why? Because instead of saying ‘I am hungry’ or ‘I am 9’, French people say, ‘I have hunger‘ and ‘I have 9 years‘:
J’ai (I have) faim = I am hungry
J’ai (I have) neuf ans = I am nine
Watch the video clip below. Listen and join in. Pause and repeat as much as you need to. Learn the vocabulary.
Avoir Practice: Video clip for children:
Video Transcript in French and English:
J’AI
Qu’est-ce que tu as?
What have you got?
J’ai des bottes.
I have some boots.
J’ai un chien.
I have a dog.
J’ai un cochon d’Inde.
I have a guinea pig.
J’ai un cadeau.
I have a present.
J’ai des devoirs.
I have some homework.
J’ai une gomme.
I have a rubber.
Et toi? Qu’est-ce que tu as?
And you? What have you got?
J’ai un gâteau.
I have a cake.
Et toi? Qu’est-ce que tu as?
And you? What have you got?
J’ai un sourire!
I have a smile!
J’ai une maman!
I have a mum!
Et toi? Qu’est-ce que tu as?
And you? What have you got?
J’ai un jouet.
I have a toy.
J’ai mal à la tête!
I have a headache
Et toi? Qu’est-ce que tu as?
And you? What’s wrong? (What have you got?)
J’ai mal au doigt!
I have a sore finger!
ATTENTION!
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 sommeil! I am sleepy
AGE IN FRENCH
J’ai dix ans. I am ten
J’ai deux ans. I am two
J’ai cinq ans. I am five
J’ai sept ans. I am seven
J’ai neuf ans. I am nine
J’ai seize ans I am sixteen
For more practice on this topic go to: avoir in the present tense
.