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A1 verb #2 most common 12 min read

haben

Top 2

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips haben in 30 Seconds

Explanation haben in your Level:

At the A1 level, 'haben' is primarily taught as a verb of possession and a way to express basic needs and states. Students learn the present tense conjugation: ich habe, du hast, er/sie/es hat, wir haben, ihr habt, sie/Sie haben. It is crucial to note the irregularity in the 'du' and 'er/sie/es' forms. Learners also discover that 'haben' requires the accusative case, which is most visible with masculine nouns (e.g., 'Ich habe einen Bruder'). Common A1 phrases include 'Ich habe Hunger' (I am hungry), 'Ich habe Durst' (I am thirsty), and 'Ich habe Zeit' (I have time). The focus is on building simple sentences to describe one's life, family, and immediate surroundings. Negation with 'kein' is also introduced here, as in 'Ich habe kein Geld'. This level sets the foundation for all future uses of the verb.

In A2, the role of 'haben' expands significantly as learners are introduced to the Perfekt tense. Here, 'haben' serves as an auxiliary verb for most German verbs (e.g., 'Ich habe gestern Fußball gespielt'). Students learn to distinguish between verbs that take 'haben' and those that take 'sein' in the past tense. Additionally, the Präteritum (simple past) form 'hatte' is introduced, which is very common even in spoken German for the verb 'haben' itself. Phrases like 'Ich hatte Glück' (I was lucky) become part of the repertoire. Learners also start using 'haben' with more abstract nouns and in more complex sentence structures, including basic subordinate clauses where 'haben' moves to the end of the sentence.

At the B1 level, 'haben' is used in more idiomatic and nuanced ways. The Konjunktiv II form 'hätte' becomes important for expressing wishes and hypothetical situations ('Ich hätte gern mehr Freizeit'). Learners also encounter 'haben' in combination with 'zu' and an infinitive to express necessity or possibility ('Wir haben noch viel zu besprechen'). The use of 'haben' in fixed expressions (Funktionsverbgefüge) starts to appear, such as 'Angst haben vor' or 'Eindruck haben'. Students are expected to use 'haben' fluently as an auxiliary verb without hesitating on the choice between 'haben' and 'sein'. The focus shifts toward more natural, fluid communication where 'haben' is a versatile tool for storytelling and expressing opinions.

By B2, students use 'haben' in sophisticated grammatical constructions and formal contexts. This includes the use of 'haben' in the passive voice substitute 'haben... zu + Infinitiv' (e.g., 'Das hat nichts zu bedeuten' - That means nothing). Learners also become familiar with more complex Funktionsverbgefüge where 'haben' is paired with abstract nouns to create formal expressions, such as 'eine Wirkung haben auf' (to have an effect on) or 'Zweifel haben' (to have doubts). The distinction between 'haben' and more formal synonyms like 'besitzen' or 'verfügen über' is refined. Students also use 'haben' in the Plusquamperfekt (past perfect) to describe actions that happened before another action in the past ('Er hatte das Buch bereits gelesen, als...').

At the C1 level, the use of 'haben' reaches a high degree of stylistic variation. Learners explore the subtle differences in meaning when 'haben' is used in literary or highly formal texts. They master complex sentence structures where 'haben' might be part of a long chain of verbs at the end of a subordinate clause. The focus is on precision and register; a C1 learner knows exactly when 'haben' is too simple and when a more specific verb like 'aufweisen' (to exhibit/have) or 'innehaben' (to hold a position) is required. They also understand the historical development of the verb and its role in various German dialects. The use of 'haben' in idiomatic expressions is now second nature, including more obscure or regional idioms.

At the C2 level, 'haben' is used with the mastery of a native speaker. This includes an appreciation for the verb's role in classical literature and philosophy (e.g., the works of Goethe or Kant). The learner can manipulate the verb to achieve specific rhetorical effects. They are aware of archaic uses of 'haben' and can interpret them in historical texts. The C2 level also involves a deep understanding of how 'haben' functions in different specialized domains, such as law or medicine, where it might appear in highly specific fixed phrases. The speaker can use 'haben' to convey irony, sarcasm, or subtle emotional states through intonation and context, fully integrating the verb into a sophisticated and versatile linguistic repertoire.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

haben in 30 Seconds

Haben means 'to have' and is used for possession, feelings (like hunger), and as a helper verb for the past tense.
It is irregular: ich habe, du hast, er hat, wir haben, ihr habt, sie haben. Note the missing 'b' in hast/hat.
Always use the accusative case after 'haben'. For example, 'einen Hund' (masculine) instead of 'ein Hund'.
In the past tense (Perfekt), 'haben' is the auxiliary verb for most actions, like 'Ich habe gegessen' (I have eaten).

The German verb haben is one of the most fundamental pillars of the German language, serving both as a primary verb of possession and as a critical auxiliary verb for forming past tenses. At its core, it translates to the English 'to have,' but its utility extends far beyond simple ownership. In the realm of possession, it covers everything from physical objects like a car or a book to abstract concepts like time, luck, or an idea. For a beginner, mastering haben is the first step toward expressing needs, describing one's environment, and eventually narrating past events. Unlike English, where 'to have' is often used for consumption (e.g., 'I have breakfast'), German usually prefers specific verbs like 'essen' or 'trinken,' though haben is used to describe the state of being hungry or thirsty (Ich habe Hunger).

Direct Possession: This is the most common use, indicating that someone owns or holds something. For example, 'Ich habe ein Buch' (I have a book). It requires the accusative case for the object being possessed.

Ich habe heute keine Zeit für das Treffen.

Beyond physical objects, haben is used for physical and emotional states. While an English speaker might say 'I am hungry,' a German speaker says 'Ich habe Hunger' (I have hunger). This pattern repeats for 'Durst' (thirst), 'Angst' (fear), and 'Glück' (luck). This distinction is vital for A1 learners to internalize early on to avoid 'Denglish' (German-English hybrid) mistakes. Furthermore, in the 'Perfekt' tense, haben acts as the helper verb for the vast majority of German verbs. If a verb does not indicate a change of position or state, it almost certainly uses haben. For instance, 'Ich habe gearbeitet' (I have worked). This dual role makes it one of the top three most frequent words in the language.

Auxiliary Function: Used with a past participle to form the perfect tense. 'Wir haben das Haus gesehen' (We have seen the house).

Hast du den neuen Film schon gesehen?

In social contexts, haben is ubiquitous in polite requests and inquiries. 'Haben Sie...?' is the standard way to ask if a shop has an item or if someone has information. It is less about the philosophy of 'having' and more about the practical availability of things in the shared world.

Abstract States: Used for conditions like 'Recht haben' (to be right) or 'Geduld haben' (to have patience).

Du hast absolut recht mit deiner Einschätzung.

Understanding the nuances of haben allows a speaker to navigate daily life in Germany with ease, from ordering in a restaurant to explaining a problem to a doctor. It is the Swiss Army knife of German verbs, essential for every level of proficiency. Whether you are discussing your family (Ich habe zwei Schwestern), your schedule (Ich habe viel zu tun), or your history (Ich habe dort gewohnt), haben is the engine of the sentence.

Using haben correctly requires a solid grasp of its irregular conjugation and its relationship with the German case system. As a transitive verb, it nearly always takes a direct object in the accusative case. This means that if you are 'having' something that is grammatically masculine, the article must change from 'der' to 'den' or 'ein' to 'einen'. For example, 'der Schlüssel' (the key) becomes 'Ich habe den Schlüssel'. For feminine and neuter nouns, the form remains the same as the nominative, but the underlying grammatical rule still applies.

Present Tense Conjugation: ich habe, du hast, er/sie/es hat, wir haben, ihr habt, sie/Sie haben. Notice the stem change in the 'du' and 'er/sie/es' forms where the 'b' is dropped.

Er hat einen sehr schnellen Computer gekauft.

When using haben as an auxiliary verb in the Perfekt tense, it occupies the second position in a standard declarative sentence, while the past participle of the main verb moves to the very end. This 'sentence bracket' (Satzklammer) is a defining feature of German syntax. For instance, in 'Ich habe gestern ein interessantes Buch gelesen,' the verb haben provides the tense and person information, while 'gelesen' provides the specific action. In questions, haben often moves to the first position. 'Hast du Hunger?' or 'Haben Sie Zeit?' are common structures. The flexibility of haben also allows it to be used with the infinitive and 'zu' to express necessity or possibility, similar to 'have to' in English, though 'müssen' is more common for strict necessity. 'Ich habe viel zu tun' (I have much to do) is a classic example.

Negation with 'kein': When negating a noun with 'haben', use 'kein' instead of 'nicht'. 'Ich habe kein Geld' (I have no money) instead of 'Ich habe nicht Geld'.

Wir haben leider keine Ahnung, wo er ist.

Another important aspect is the use of haben in the Konjunktiv II (subjunctive) form, which is 'hätte'. This is used for hypothetical situations or polite requests. 'Ich hätte gern einen Kaffee' (I would like to have a coffee) is much more polite than 'Ich will einen Kaffee'. Mastering these different forms and their specific syntactic requirements is essential for moving from A1 to B1 proficiency.

Idiomatic Expressions: Expressions like 'Angst haben' (to be afraid) or 'Glück haben' (to be lucky) are treated as verb-noun units where 'haben' is the conjugated part.

Sie hat heute wirklich viel Pech gehabt.

By practicing haben in various contexts—possession, auxiliary use, and idioms—you build a foundation that supports almost every other grammatical structure in German. It is the core of the sentence, providing the temporal and relational framework upon which the rest of the meaning is built.

In the daily life of a German speaker, haben is as common as breathing. You will hear it in the bakery when a customer asks, 'Haben Sie noch Brötchen?' (Do you still have rolls?), or in the office when a colleague says, 'Ich habe heute viele Termine' (I have many appointments today). It is the default verb for checking availability and expressing personal status. In public transport, you might hear announcements like 'Wir haben heute leider Verspätung' (We unfortunately have a delay today), a phrase every commuter in Germany knows all too well.

Daily Transactions: Used constantly in shops and restaurants to ask about stock or to order. 'Haben Sie das auch in Blau?' (Do you have this in blue?)

„Haben Sie eine Kundenkarte?“ fragte die Kassiererin.

In the media, news anchors use haben to report on events in the past tense: 'Die Regierung hat ein neues Gesetz beschlossen' (The government has passed a new law). Because the Perfekt tense is the standard way to speak about the past in German (the Präteritum being more common in writing), you will hear 'haben' used as an auxiliary verb in almost every conversation about yesterday, last week, or childhood. In informal settings, the verb is often contracted. You'll hear 'Hab ich schon gemacht' instead of 'Ich habe das schon gemacht'. This colloquial shortening is a sign of natural, fluent speech. In youth slang, haben is also part of many fixed expressions, such as 'Bock haben' (to be in the mood for something). 'Ich hab voll Bock auf Pizza' (I'm really in the mood for pizza) is something you'll hear in every student dorm.

Health and Well-being: Used to describe symptoms. 'Ich habe Kopfschmerzen' (I have a headache) or 'Er hat Fieber' (He has a fever).

„Ich habe heute so gar keine Lust auf Arbeit,“ seufzte er.

Even in literature and philosophy, haben plays a central role. Erich Fromm's famous book 'Haben oder Sein' (To Have or to Be) explores the fundamental human orientations toward life. This shows that the word isn't just a grammatical tool but a concept that touches on the very core of human existence and social organization.

Social Interactions: Used to establish common ground or shared experiences. 'Haben wir uns nicht schon mal gesehen?' (Haven't we seen each other before?)

„Wir haben uns viel zu erzählen,“ sagte sie zur Begrüßung.

Whether you are listening to a podcast, watching a German Netflix series, or chatting with a neighbor, haben will be there. It is the glue that holds German sentences together and the primary way Germans express what they possess, what they feel, and what they have done.

One of the most frequent mistakes English speakers make with haben is a direct translation of 'to be' expressions. In English, we say 'I am hungry,' 'I am afraid,' or 'I am right.' In German, these are all expressed with haben: 'Ich habe Hunger,' 'Ich habe Angst,' and 'Ich habe recht.' Using 'sein' (to be) in these contexts is a hallmark of a beginner and can sometimes lead to confusion or sound very unnatural.

The 'Sein' vs. 'Haben' Trap: Don't say 'Ich bin Hunger'. It literally means 'I am hunger'. Always use 'Ich habe Hunger'.

Falsch: Ich bin Angst. Richtig: Ich habe Angst.

Another common error involves the conjugation of haben, specifically the 'du' and 'er/sie/es' forms. Beginners often want to keep the 'b' from the stem, saying 'du habst' or 'er habt.' However, these forms are irregular: 'du hast' and 'er hat.' Remembering to drop the 'b' is a crucial step in internalizing the verb's pattern. Case errors are also rampant. Since haben is a transitive verb, the object must be in the accusative. English speakers often forget to change the masculine article. Saying 'Ich habe ein Hund' instead of 'Ich habe einen Hund' is a very common mistake. While you will still be understood, it is grammatically incorrect and noticeable.

Accusative Negation: When negating a masculine object, 'kein' must also be in the accusative: 'Ich habe keinen Schlüssel'.

Er hat keinen Bruder, sondern eine Schwester.

In the Perfekt tense, the choice between haben and 'sein' as an auxiliary verb is a major hurdle. Many learners default to haben for everything, but verbs like 'gehen' (to go), 'kommen' (to come), and 'bleiben' (to stay) require 'sein'. Saying 'Ich habe nach Hause gegangen' is incorrect; it must be 'Ich bin nach Hause gegangen.'

Auxiliary Confusion: Always check if the verb involves movement from A to B or a change of state. If so, use 'sein'. Otherwise, 'haben' is usually the safe bet.

Wir haben das ganze Wochenende nur geschlafen.

Lastly, learners sometimes use haben for age, translating 'I am 20 years old' as 'Ich habe 20 Jahre.' In German, age is always expressed with 'sein': 'Ich bin 20 Jahre alt.' Avoiding these common pitfalls will significantly improve your grammatical accuracy and make your German sound much more natural and professional.

While haben is the most versatile verb for possession, German offers several alternatives that provide more precision depending on the context. For formal ownership of property or large assets, the verb 'besitzen' (to own/possess) is often used. While you 'have' a pen, you 'possess' a house or a company. 'Besitzen' implies a more permanent or legal state of ownership than the more general haben.

besitzen vs. haben: 'Haben' is general; 'besitzen' is formal and implies legal ownership. 'Er besitzt drei Villen' sounds more impressive than 'Er hat drei Villen'.

Die Firma besitzt Patente auf diese Technologie.

Another alternative is 'verfügen über' (to have at one's disposal). This is a higher-register expression used when someone has access to resources, skills, or information. For example, 'Sie verfügt über große Erfahrung' (She has great experience at her disposal). This sounds more professional in a CV or a business meeting than simply using haben. For the act of receiving or getting something, 'bekommen' or 'erhalten' are the correct verbs. English speakers often use 'have' in the sense of 'get' (e.g., 'Can I have a coffee?'), but in German, you would say 'Kann ich einen Kaffee bekommen?' or more politely 'Ich hätte gern einen Kaffee.' Using haben in the sense of 'receiving' is a common translation error.

bekommen vs. haben: 'Haben' describes the state of possession; 'bekommen' describes the process of acquiring. 'Ich habe ein Geschenk' (I have a gift) vs. 'Ich bekomme ein Geschenk' (I am getting a gift).

Wir bekommen morgen Besuch von meinen Eltern.

In some idiomatic contexts, 'halten' (to hold) can be a synonym, especially when talking about speeches or keeping promises. 'Eine Rede halten' (to give/hold a speech) is the standard expression, where English might use 'to have' or 'to give'. Similarly, 'innehaben' is a very formal verb used for holding a position or office, such as 'ein Amt innehaben' (to hold an office).

gehören vs. haben: 'Haben' focuses on the subject (the owner); 'gehören' focuses on the object. 'Ich habe das Auto' vs. 'Das Auto gehört mir' (The car belongs to me).

Dieses Buch gehört eigentlich meinem Bruder.

Understanding these alternatives allows you to vary your vocabulary and express ownership and possession with greater nuance and appropriateness for the situation. While haben is your best friend and workhorse, these other verbs are the precision tools in your linguistic toolkit.

How Formal Is It?

Formal

"Wir haben die Unterlagen erhalten."

Neutral

"Ich habe ein neues Auto gekauft."

Informal

"Hab' ich schon erledigt."

Child friendly

"Hast du dein Kuscheltier?"

Slang

"Ich hab' voll Bock auf Pizza!"

Fun Fact

Despite looking similar, 'haben' is not related to the Latin 'habere'. 'Haben' is actually cognate with the Latin 'capere' (to take/seize).

Pronunciation Guide

UK /ˈhɑːbən/

US /ˈhɑbən/

The stress is on the first syllable: HA-ben.

Rhymes With

gaben (gave) graben (to dig) laben (to refresh) naben (hubs) raben (ravens) staben (staves) traben (to trot) waben (honeycombs)

Common Errors

Pronouncing the 'a' like the 'a' in 'apple' (it should be like 'father').
Over-emphasizing the final 'en' (it's often swallowed).
Failing to aspirate the 'h'.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 1/5

Very easy to recognize as it is similar to English 'have'.

Writing 2/5

Slightly harder due to irregular 'hast/hat' and the accusative case requirement.

Speaking 2/5

Requires practice to avoid using 'sein' for hunger/thirst and to get the auxiliary right.

Listening 1/5

Very common and usually easy to hear, though often contracted.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

ich du er/sie/es ein/eine der/die/das

Learn Next

sein werden machen gehen kommen

Advanced

besitzen verfügen innehaben aufweisen erhalten

Grammar to Know

Accusative Case

Ich habe einen (masculine) Apfel.

Perfekt Tense

Ich habe das Buch gelesen.

Konjunktiv II (Politeness)

Ich hätte gern einen Kaffee.

Sentence Bracket

Ich habe gestern mit meiner Mutter telefoniert.

Negation with 'kein'

Ich habe keine Lust.

Examples by Level

Ich habe einen Bruder.

I have a brother.

'Bruder' is masculine, so 'ein' becomes 'einen' in the accusative.

Hast du Hunger?

Are you hungry?

In German, you 'have' hunger rather than 'being' hungry.

Wir haben ein Haus.

We have a house.

'Haus' is neuter, so the article 'ein' remains the same as in the nominative.

Sie hat heute keine Zeit.

She has no time today.

'Zeit' is feminine. 'Keine' is used for negation.

Haben Sie einen Stift?

Do you have a pen?

Formal 'Sie' uses the infinitive form 'haben'.

Ich habe Durst.

I am thirsty.

Like hunger, thirst is 'had' in German.

Er hat ein Auto.

He has a car.

Simple possession with a neuter noun.

Ihr habt Glück!

You (plural) are lucky!

'Glück haben' is a common idiomatic expression.

Ich habe gestern Pizza gegessen.

I ate pizza yesterday.

'Haben' is the auxiliary verb for the Perfekt tense of 'essen'.

Wir haben den Film schon gesehen.

We have already seen the movie.

'Gesehen' is the past participle of 'sehen'.

Hattest du ein schönes Wochenende?

Did you have a nice weekend?

'Hattest' is the Präteritum (simple past) of 'haben'.

Sie hat ihre Hausaufgaben gemacht.

She has done her homework.

'Gemacht' is the past participle of 'machen'.

Wir haben viel gelacht.

We laughed a lot.

'Gelacht' is the past participle of 'lachen'.

Hast du das Buch gelesen?

Have you read the book?

Question form in the Perfekt tense.

Er hat mir eine E-Mail geschrieben.

He wrote me an email.

'Geschrieben' is the past participle of 'schreiben'.

Ich habe heute Morgen geduscht.

I showered this morning.

'Geduscht' is the past participle of 'duschen'.

Ich hätte gern ein Glas Wasser.

I would like a glass of water.

'Hätte' is the Konjunktiv II form, used for polite requests.

Wir haben vor, nächstes Jahr nach Japan zu reisen.

We plan to travel to Japan next year.

'Vorhaben' is a separable verb meaning 'to plan'.

Er hat Angst vor Spinnen.

He is afraid of spiders.

'Angst haben vor' takes the dative case.

Ich habe das Gefühl, dass wir uns verlaufen haben.

I have the feeling that we are lost.

'Gefühl haben' followed by a 'dass' clause.

Sie hat recht, wir sollten jetzt gehen.

She is right, we should go now.

'Recht haben' means 'to be right'.

Haben Sie etwas dagegen, wenn ich das Fenster öffne?

Do you mind if I open the window?

'Etwas dagegen haben' means 'to have something against it/to mind'.

Ich habe keine Lust auf Hausarbeit.

I don't feel like doing housework.

'Lust haben auf' means 'to be in the mood for'.

Wir haben viel zu tun.

We have a lot to do.

'Haben + zu + infinitive' expresses necessity.

Das hat weitreichende Konsequenzen.

That has far-reaching consequences.

Abstract use of 'haben' in a formal context.

Er hat den Ruf, sehr zuverlässig zu sein.

He has the reputation of being very reliable.

'Den Ruf haben' is a fixed expression.

Wir hatten die Absicht, das Projekt früher abzuschließen.

We had the intention of finishing the project earlier.

'Die Absicht haben' is more formal than 'wollen'.

Sie hat einen großen Einfluss auf ihre Mitmenschen.

She has a great influence on her fellow human beings.

'Einfluss haben auf' takes the accusative.

Ich hatte keine andere Wahl, als zuzustimmen.

I had no other choice but to agree.

'Keine Wahl haben' expresses necessity.

Das hat nichts mit der Sache zu tun.

That has nothing to do with the matter.

'Zu tun haben mit' is a common idiom.

Wir haben Zweifel an seiner Geschichte.

We have doubts about his story.

'Zweifel haben an' takes the dative.

Er hat die Prüfung mit Erfolg bestanden.

He passed the exam with success.

'Haben' as auxiliary for 'bestehen'.

Die neue Regelung hat zur Folge, dass...

The new regulation results in...

'Zur Folge haben' is a formal way to express results.

Er hat ein tiefes Verständnis für komplexe Zusammenhänge.

He has a deep understanding of complex connections.

High-level abstract noun with 'haben'.

Wir haben Grund zu der Annahme, dass...

We have reason to believe that...

Formal expression 'Grund haben zu'.

Sie hat das Amt des Bürgermeisters inne.

She holds the office of mayor.

'Innehaben' is a more formal version of 'haben' for positions.

Das hat er sich selbst zuzuschreiben.

He has only himself to blame for that.

Idiomatic use of 'haben' with 'zuzuschreiben'.

Er hat eine Vorliebe für klassische Musik.

He has a preference for classical music.

'Vorliebe haben für' is a sophisticated way to express liking.

Wir haben die Hoffnung noch nicht aufgegeben.

We haven't given up hope yet.

'Hoffnung haben' in a complex tense.

Das hat eine lange Tradition in unserer Familie.

That has a long tradition in our family.

Abstract possession of cultural traits.

Es hat den Anschein, als ob die Verhandlungen gescheitert wären.

It appears as if the negotiations have failed.

'Den Anschein haben' is a very formal way to say 'it seems'.

Er hat sich um die Wissenschaft verdient gemacht.

He has rendered great service to science.

Idiomatic expression 'sich verdient machen' using 'haben' as auxiliary.

Das Werk hat bis heute nichts von seiner Aktualität eingebüßt.

The work has lost none of its relevance to this day.

Sophisticated use of 'haben' with 'einbüßen'.

Sie hat ein feines Gespür für die Zwischentöne der Sprache.

She has a fine sense for the nuances of language.

Highly abstract and poetic use of 'haben'.

Wir haben es hier mit einem klassischen Fall von... zu tun.

We are dealing here with a classic case of...

Formal 'es zu tun haben mit'.

Er hat die Gabe, Menschen zu begeistern.

He has the gift of inspiring people.

'Die Gabe haben' refers to a natural talent.

Das hat seinen Ursprung in der Antike.

That has its origin in antiquity.

Describing historical origins.

Sie hat alle Hebel in Bewegung gesetzt, um zu helfen.

She pulled out all the stops to help.

Idiomatic expression using 'haben' as the auxiliary.

Common Collocations

Hunger haben

Zeit haben

Glück haben

Angst haben

Recht haben

Geld haben

Lust haben

Pech haben

Geduld haben

Erfolg haben

Common Phrases

Ich habe keine Ahnung.

— I have no idea. Used when you don't know something.

„Wo ist mein Schlüssel?“ – „Ich habe keine Ahnung.“

Was hast du?

— What's wrong with you? or What do you have?

Du siehst traurig aus. Was hast du?

Das hat Zeit.

— There's no rush. It can wait.

Du musst das nicht heute machen. Das hat Zeit.

Haben wir uns?

— Are we clear? or Do we understand each other? (slangy/confrontational)

Hör auf damit, haben wir uns?

Einen Vogel haben.

— To be crazy. (idiomatic)

Du willst bei diesem Wetter schwimmen? Du hast wohl einen Vogel!

Es eilig haben.

— To be in a hurry.

Ich kann jetzt nicht reden, ich habe es eilig.

Gern haben.

— To like someone or something.

Ich habe dich sehr gern.

Zu tun haben mit.

— To be involved with or related to.

Das hat nichts mit mir zu tun.

Recht haben.

— To be right.

Da hast du vollkommen recht.

Schwein haben.

— To be very lucky. (slang)

Da hast du aber Schwein gehabt!

Often Confused With

haben vs sein

Used for 'to be'. English speakers often use 'sein' for hunger/thirst where German uses 'haben'.

haben vs besitzen

A more formal version of 'haben' specifically for legal ownership.

haben vs bekommen

Means 'to get/receive'. English speakers often use 'have' when they mean 'get'.

Idioms & Expressions

"Den Hut aufhaben."

— To be in charge or responsible for something.

In diesem Projekt hat sie den Hut auf.

informal

"Dreck am Stecken haben."

— To have a skeleton in the closet / to have done something wrong.

Der Politiker hat wohl Dreck am Stecken.

informal

"Die Nase voll haben."

— To be fed up with something.

Ich habe die Nase voll von diesem Regen!

informal

"Alle Hände voll zu tun haben."

— To be very busy.

Vor Weihnachten haben wir alle Hände voll zu tun.

neutral

"Ein Hühnchen mit jemandem zu rupfen haben."

— To have a bone to pick with someone.

Komm mal her, ich habe noch ein Hühnchen mit dir zu rupfen.

informal

"Tomaten auf den Augen haben."

— To be oblivious to something obvious.

Siehst du das Schild nicht? Du hast wohl Tomaten auf den Augen!

informal

"Das Heft in der Hand haben."

— To be in control of a situation.

Der Trainer hat das Heft fest in der Hand.

neutral

"Nicht alle Tassen im Schrank haben."

— To be crazy or out of one's mind.

Wer so viel Geld ausgibt, hat nicht alle Tassen im Schrank.

slang

"Etwas auf dem Kasten haben."

— To be talented or capable.

Die neue Kollegin hat wirklich was auf dem Kasten.

informal

"Haare auf den Zähnen haben."

— To be sharp-tongued or assertive (often used for women).

Pass auf, was du sagst, sie hat Haare auf den Zähnen.

informal

Easily Confused

haben vs halten

Both can mean 'to hold' in some contexts.

'Haben' is for possession; 'halten' is for physically holding or holding a speech.

Ich habe ein Buch (I own it). Ich halte ein Buch (I am physically holding it).

haben vs nehmen

English uses 'have' for food/drink (I'll have a coffee).

In German, you 'take' (nehmen) or 'drink' (trinken) a coffee, you don't 'have' it.

Ich nehme einen Kaffee.

haben vs tragen

English uses 'have on' for clothes.

German uses 'anhaben' or 'tragen'.

Ich habe einen Mantel an.

haben vs wollen

'Ich hätte gern' (I would like) is a form of 'haben' but expresses a wish.

'Wollen' is more direct and less polite than 'hätte gern'.

Ich will Pizza vs. Ich hätte gern Pizza.

haben vs geben

'Es gibt' (there is/are) uses 'geben', but English sometimes uses 'have' in similar contexts.

'Haben' requires a subject; 'es gibt' is impersonal.

Wir haben Probleme vs. Es gibt Probleme.

Sentence Patterns

Subject + haben + Accusative Object

Ich habe einen Hund.

Subject + haben + Hunger/Durst/Zeit

Wir haben Hunger.

Subject + haben + ... + Past Participle

Er hat Fußball gespielt.

Subject + hatte + Accusative Object

Ich hatte ein Auto.

Subject + hätte + gern + Accusative Object

Ich hätte gern ein Wasser.

Subject + haben + zu + Infinitive

Wir haben viel zu lernen.

Subject + haben + Abstract Noun + auf/zu

Das hat Einfluss auf die Umwelt.

Subject + haben + ... + zu + Participle (Passive replacement)

Das hat nichts zu bedeuten.

Word Family

Nouns

Verbs

Adjectives

How to Use It

frequency

One of the top 3 most used verbs in German.

Common Mistakes

Ich bin Hunger. → Ich habe Hunger.
In German, hunger is something you possess, not something you are. Using 'sein' here is a direct translation from English and is incorrect.
Du habst ein Buch. → Du hast ein Buch.
The verb 'haben' is irregular in the 'du' form. The 'b' is dropped.
Ich habe ein Hund. → Ich habe einen Hund.
'Hund' is masculine, and 'haben' requires the accusative case, so 'ein' must become 'einen'.
Ich habe nach Hause gegangen. → Ich bin nach Hause gegangen.
Verbs of movement like 'gehen' use 'sein' as the auxiliary verb in the Perfekt, not 'haben'.
Ich habe 25 Jahre. → Ich bin 25 Jahre alt.
Age is always expressed with 'sein' in German, never with 'haben'.

Tips

Accusative Reminder

Always remember that 'haben' is an accusative verb. If you're talking about a masculine noun, the article must change to 'einen' or 'den'.

Contracting 'haben'

In casual speech, feel free to drop the final 'e' in 'ich habe' to sound more like a native speaker: 'Ich hab' keine Lust'.

Hunger and Thirst

Memorize 'Ich habe Hunger' and 'Ich habe Durst' as set phrases so you don't accidentally use 'sein'.

Using 'hatte'

In written stories or reports, use the Präteritum form 'hatte' instead of the Perfekt 'habe gehabt'. It sounds much better.

Polite Ordering

Always use 'Ich hätte gern...' when ordering food. It's the most natural and polite way to use 'haben' in a social setting.

Auxiliary Focus

When listening, focus on the conjugated 'haben' to know who did the action and when, then wait for the end of the sentence for the main verb.

Learn 'Recht haben'

This is one of the most useful idioms. 'Du hast recht' (You're right) is used in almost every conversation.

No 'haben' for Age

Never say 'Ich habe 20 Jahre'. Always use 'Ich bin 20 Jahre alt'. This is a very common mistake for learners.

Master Conjugation First

Since 'haben' is used in almost every sentence, make sure you can conjugate it perfectly without thinking. It's the foundation of your German.

Haben vs. Sein

Reflect on the difference between 'having' and 'being'. In German, many internal states are 'had', which might change how you think about them!

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'Haben' as 'Having' a 'Habit' of owning things. The 'b' in the middle is like a 'bag' you carry things in.

Visual Association

Imagine a large 'H' shaped like a person holding two bags full of items. One bag is labeled 'Possessions' and the other 'Past Actions'.

Word Web

Besitz (possession) Hilfsverb (auxiliary verb) Hunger (hunger) Zeit (time) Glück (luck) Angst (fear) Recht (right) Geld (money)

Challenge

Try to write five sentences about what you have in your room, then five sentences about what you did yesterday using 'haben' as a helper verb.

Word Origin

Derived from the Old High German 'habēn', which comes from the Proto-Germanic '*habjaną'.

Original meaning: The original meaning was 'to take' or 'to grasp', which evolved into 'to hold' and eventually 'to possess'.

Indo-European, Germanic branch. Cognate with English 'have' and Dutch 'hebben'.

Cultural Context

No specific sensitivities, but avoid using 'einen Vogel haben' (to be crazy) in formal or sensitive contexts as it can be offensive.

English speakers often confuse 'haben' and 'sein' for states like hunger. Remember: Germans 'have' hunger, they aren't 'hunger'.

'Haben oder Sein' by Erich Fromm. 'To be or not to be' is translated as 'Sein oder Nichtsein', but 'to have' is the other side of the coin in German existential thought. The German saying 'Haben kommt von Halten' (Wealth comes from keeping/holding).

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

At a restaurant

Ich hätte gern...
Haben Sie einen Tisch frei?
Haben Sie vegetarische Gerichte?
Ich habe Hunger.

At work

Ich habe ein Meeting.
Haben Sie die E-Mail gelesen?
Wir haben viel zu tun.
Ich habe eine Frage.

Daily life

Ich habe keine Zeit.
Hast du den Schlüssel?
Ich habe Glück gehabt.
Wir haben kein Brot mehr.

At the doctor

Ich habe Kopfschmerzen.
Haben Sie Fieber?
Ich habe eine Erkältung.
Er hat Schmerzen im Bein.

Shopping

Haben Sie das in Größe M?
Ich habe kein Bargeld.
Haben Sie eine Tüte?
Was haben Sie im Angebot?

Conversation Starters

"Hast du am Wochenende schon etwas vor?"

"Haben Sie Kinder?"

"Hast du ein Haustier?"

"Haben wir heute Hausaufgaben auf?"

"Hattest du einen schönen Urlaub?"

Journal Prompts

Was habe ich heute alles gemacht? (List your activities using 'haben' as an auxiliary).

Was habe ich in meiner Tasche? (Describe the items using the accusative case).

Wovor habe ich Angst und warum?

Was habe ich mir für das nächste Jahr vorgenommen?

Habe ich heute jemandem geholfen?

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

You use 'haben' for most verbs, especially those that take a direct object or don't involve a change of location or state. For example, 'ich habe gegessen' (I have eaten) or 'ich habe geschlafen' (I have slept). Verbs like 'gehen' (to go) or 'werden' (to become) use 'sein'.

While 'Ich bin hungrig' is grammatically correct, it is much less common than 'Ich habe Hunger'. German prefers to treat hunger as something you 'have' rather than a state you 'are' in. This is a key idiomatic difference from English.

Yes, as a full verb of possession, 'haben' always takes an object in the accusative case. This is why you say 'Ich habe einen Bruder' (masculine accusative) but 'Ich habe eine Schwester' (feminine accusative, which looks like nominative).

'Haben' is the general word for 'to have'. 'Besitzen' is more formal and usually refers to legal ownership of property, land, or significant assets. You wouldn't usually say 'Ich besitze einen Stift' (I possess a pen) unless you were being very dramatic.

In the Präteritum (simple past), it is: ich hatte, du hattest, er hatte, wir hatten, ihr hattet, sie hatten. In the Perfekt (present perfect), you use 'haben' as an auxiliary: 'ich habe gehabt'.

No, unlike English ('I'm having a coffee'), German does not use 'haben' for consuming food or drink. You should use 'essen', 'trinken', or 'nehmen'. 'Ich nehme einen Kaffee' is the correct way to order.

It means 'I would like to have'. It is the Konjunktiv II form of 'haben' and is the standard polite way to order something in a shop or restaurant.

It is an idiom meaning 'to be about' or 'to have to do with'. For example, 'Das hat nichts mit dir zu tun' means 'That has nothing to do with you'.

Yes, it is irregular in the present tense (du hast, er hat) and in the past tense (hatte, gehabt). However, the irregularities are consistent and easy to learn.

If you are negating a noun, use 'kein'. For example, 'Ich habe kein Geld' (I have no money). If you are negating the whole action (which is rare for 'haben'), you would use 'nicht'.