A2 Present Tense 12 min read Easy

Expressions with Avoir: Hungry, Thirsty, Afraid (Avoir faim, soif, peur)

In French, you 'have' hunger, thirst, and fear—you don't 'are' them.
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Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds

In French, you don't 'be' hungry or afraid; you 'have' hunger or fear using the verb 'avoir'.

  • Use 'avoir' + noun for physical states: J'ai faim (I am hungry).
  • Never use 'être' (to be) for these expressions: It is incorrect to say 'Je suis faim'.
  • Add 'très' before the noun to intensify: J'ai très soif (I am very thirsty).
Subject + Avoir (conjugated) + Noun (e.g., faim, soif, peur)

Overview

In French, some of the most fundamental human states—like being hungry, thirsty, or afraid—are expressed differently than in English. While English uses the verb "to be" (I am hungry), French uses the verb avoir (to have). You literally have hunger (avoir faim), have thirst (avoir soif), and have fear (avoir peur).

This isn't just a random vocabulary swap; it reflects a core linguistic and conceptual difference. French grammar treats these states as temporary conditions or sensations that you possess or experience, rather than permanent attributes of your identity. You are not fundamentally a "hungry person" in your being; you are a person who is currently experiencing the sensation of hunger.

For an A2 learner, internalizing this avoir pattern is a critical step toward sounding more natural and understanding a wide range of common expressions.

This pattern extends beyond these three examples to other physical sensations, such as avoir chaud (to be hot), avoir froid (to be cold), and avoir sommeil (to be sleepy). In all these expressions, the second word (faim, soif, peur, etc.) functions as a noun, which is the grammatical key to understanding how to use, modify, and build sentences with them.

Conjugation Table

Subject Avoir Form Pronunciation Avoir faim (To be hungry) Avoir soif (To be thirsty) Avoir peur (To be afraid)
:--- :--- :--- :--- :--- :---
Je ai j'ay J'ai faim J'ai soif J'ai peur
Tu as tu ah Tu as faim Tu as soif Tu as peur
Il/Elle/On a eel/ell/on ah Il a faim Elle a soif On a peur
Nous avons noo-za-von Nous avons faim Nous avons soif Nous avons peur
Vous avez voo-za-vay Vous avez faim Vous avez soif Vous avez peur
Ils/Elles ont eel-zon/el-zon Ils ont faim Elles ont soif Ils ont peur

How This Grammar Works

The grammatical logic behind this pattern rests on one principle: faim, soif, and peur are treated as nouns that are the direct object of the verb avoir. When you say J'ai faim, you are grammatically saying "I have hunger" in the same way you would say J'ai un livre ("I have a book"). Because they are objects you possess, you use avoir.
This contrasts with constructions using être (to be), which are reserved for describing inherent qualities, states of being, or identity with an adjective. For example, in Je suis patient (I am patient), patient is an adjective describing a core personality trait. Hunger is not a core trait; it's a temporary feeling.
This is why J'ai faim is correct and *Je suis faim is fundamentally wrong—it would mean "I am the concept of hunger."
Because faim, soif, and peur function as nouns in these fixed expressions, they are invariable. They don't take an article (la faim) and they don't agree in number with the subject. For example, Les enfants ont faim, not *Les enfants ont faims.
This simplifies the rule significantly: conjugate avoir and you're done.
This noun function also dictates how you modify the expression. To say you are very hungry, you don't modify the noun faim. Instead, you use the adverb très (very) to modify the entire verbal idea of avoir faim.
So, you say J'ai très faim. This is different from quantifying a regular noun, where you might use beaucoup de (a lot of).

Formation Pattern

1
Constructing sentences with these expressions follows a reliable, three-part formula for affirmative, negative, and interrogative forms. Master these patterns, and you can adapt them to any subject.
2
1. Affirmative Sentence
3
The structure is simple and direct.
4
Formula: Subject + avoir (conjugated) + [faim / soif / peur]
5
Mon frère a soif. (My brother is thirsty.)
6
Les étudiantes ont peur. (The (female) students are afraid.)
7
2. Negative Sentence
8
To negate the expression, you wrap the conjugated avoir verb with ne...pas.
9
Formula: Subject + ne/'n + avoir (conjugated) + pas + [faim / soif / peur]
10
Je n'ai pas faim. (I am not hungry.)
11
Nous n'avons pas peur. (We are not afraid.)
12
3. Interrogative Sentence (Asking a Question)
13
You have two primary ways to ask a question.
14
A) Using Est-ce que (Standard/Neutral): This is the most common and straightforward way.
15
Formula: Est-ce que + Subject + avoir (conjugated) + [faim / soif / peur] ?
16
Est-ce que vous avez soif ? (Are you thirsty?)
17
B) Using Inversion (Formal): This involves inverting the verb and subject pronoun, joined by a hyphen.
18
Formula: Avoir (conjugated)-Subject + [faim / soif / peur] ?
19
As-tu peur ? (Are you afraid?)

When To Use It

Use these expressions to describe your own feelings, ask about others', or state what someone is afraid of.
  • To express your own physical or emotional state: This is the most direct usage. Simply conjugate avoir for je.
  • J'ai vraiment soif, je pourrais boire un litre d'eau. (I'm really thirsty, I could drink a liter of water.)
  • Pardon, j'ai un peu faim. Le dîner est bientôt prêt ? (Excuse me, I'm a little hungry. Is dinner ready soon?)
  • To ask about someone else's state: Use the question forms.
  • Tu n'as pas faim ? Le gâteau a l'air bon. (You're not hungry? The cake looks good.)
  • Avez-vous peur du noir ? (Are you afraid of the dark?)
  • To specify the source of fear: This is a crucial extension of avoir peur. You must use the preposition de (of) to connect peur to the thing that is causing the fear. Remember that de contracts with articles.
  • avoir peur de + [noun]: Il a peur des chiens. (He is afraid of dogs.) (des = de + les)
  • avoir peur de + [infinitive verb]: Elle a peur de parler en public. (She is afraid of speaking in public.)

When Not To Use It

Avoiding common errors is as important as learning the correct form. Do not use this pattern in the following situations.
  • Do not use the verb être (to be). This is the most common mistake for English speakers. Saying *Je suis faim is nonsensical in French. It is grammatically equivalent to saying "I am hunger."
  • Incorrect: *Elle est peur.
  • Correct: Elle a peur.
  • Do not use these expressions as adjectives to describe a noun. The phrase avoir faim is a complete verbal clause. To describe "a hungry cat," you cannot say *un avoir faim chat. You must use a relative clause or a specific adjective.
  • Incorrect: *J'ai vu un soif homme.
  • Correct: J'ai vu un homme qui avait soif. (I saw a man who was thirsty.)
  • Correct (Advanced): J'ai vu un homme assoiffé. (I saw a parched man.)
  • Do not make the nouns (faim, soif, peur) plural. They are invariable in these idioms.
  • Incorrect: *Les touristes ont soifs.
  • Correct: Les touristes ont soif.

Common Mistakes

Here is a summary of the most frequent errors learners make with this structure. Understanding why they are wrong will help you avoid them.
| Mistake | Correction | Why It's Wrong |
|:---|:---|:---|
| *Je suis faim. | J'ai faim. | Être is for identity or qualities (with adjectives), not for temporary sensations (which use avoir + noun). |
| *J'ai faim beaucoup. | J'ai très faim. | Très is the correct adverb to intensify these expressions. Beaucoup is a quantifier of nouns and is not used this way. |
| *Les filles ont peurs. | Les filles ont peur. | Peur (like faim and soif) is an invariable noun in this idiomatic phrase and does not agree with the subject. |
| *J'ai peur pour l'araignée. | J'ai peur de l'araignée. | The preposition to introduce the source of fear is always de, not pour. |
| *Tu as une faim ? | Tu as faim ? | Standard avoir expressions are built without an article (un, une, la). The noun is part of a fixed verbal idiom. |

Memory Trick

To help this rule stick, use the "Possession Trick." Think of hunger, thirst, and fear not as states you are, but as objects you can temporarily have or possess, just like you would possess a pen or a book.

- J'ai un stylo. (I have a pen.)

- J'ai faim. (I have hunger.)

This mental model reinforces the use of avoir. Furthermore, group these expressions into a larger family of "sensation nouns" that all follow the same pattern with avoir. Recognizing the larger pattern makes each individual expression easier to remember.

- avoir chaud (to be hot)

- avoir froid (to be cold)

- avoir sommeil (to be sleepy)

- avoir mal (à) (to have an ache/pain in)

- avoir raison/tort (to be right/wrong)

- avoir l'air (to seem/look)

Real Conversations

Textbook examples are clean, but real French is often faster and more colloquial. Here’s how you'll encounter these expressions in the wild.

- Texting / Casual Chat: Contractions and informal intensifiers are common.

- T'as faim ? On se fait une pizza ? (T'as is short for Tu as. On se fait means "Should we get/make...")

- Grave faim ! Je meurs de faim ! (Slang: Grave means "seriously/very." Je meurs de faim is an exaggeration: "I'm dying of hunger!")

- Spoken Everyday French: Notice the use of trop as an informal equivalent of très.

- Oh là là, j'ai trop soif après ce match. ("Man, I'm so thirsty after that game.")

- N'aie pas peur, le chien est gentil. (Using the informal imperative: "Don't be afraid, the dog is nice.")

- Introducing Idioms: You will often hear fixed, colorful expressions.

- J'ai une peur bleue des serpents. ("I have a deathly fear of snakes," literally "a blue fear.")

- Après cette randonnée, j'avais une faim de loup. ("After that hike, I was hungry as a wolf.") These are exceptions where an article is used because it's part of a fixed idiom.

Contrast With Similar Patterns

Distinguishing avoir expressions from other structures is key to mastering them.
1. Avoir + Noun vs. Être + Adjective
This is the most critical distinction. Avoir is for transient sensations (nouns), while être is for inherent qualities (adjectives).
| AVOIR + Noun (Transient Sensation) | ÊTRE + Adjective (Inherent Quality) |
|:---|:---|
| J'ai froid. (I am cold.) | Je suis frileux. (I am a person who gets cold easily.) |
| Elle a peur. (She is afraid.) | Elle est peureuse. (She is a fearful person.) |
| Il a sommeil. (He is sleepy.) | Il est fatigué. (He is tired.) |
2. Avoir peur de vs. Other Avoir ... de Expressions
The avoir peur de structure is part of a larger family of useful expressions built with avoir + noun + de.
  • Avoir besoin de (to need): J'ai besoin d'un café. (I need a coffee.)
  • Avoir envie de (to want / feel like): J'ai envie d'aller au cinéma. (I feel like going to the movies.)
Recognizing this Avoir + [noun] + de pattern helps you understand that avoir peur de is not an isolated rule but part of a productive grammatical structure in French.

Progressive Practice

1

Work through these exercises to build your confidence, moving from simple to complex tasks.

2

Step 1: Basic Conjugation

3

Fill in the blank: Nous ________ faim.

4

Change the subject: Tu as soif. → Elles ________ soif.

Step 2: Negation and Questions

5

Make the sentence negative: Il a peur. → ...

6

Ask a question using Est-ce que: Vous avez faim. → ...

7

Ask a question using inversion: Tu as soif. → ...

Step 3: Intensifiers and Modifiers

8

Add "very" to the sentence: J'ai soif. → ...

9

Add "a little" (un peu): Elle a peur. → ...

Step 4: Specifying the Cause

10

Combine the ideas: Nous avons peur. + les orages (storms) → Nous avons peur des orages.

11

Combine using an infinitive: Il a peur. + Il doit échouer. (He must fail) → Il a peur d'échouer.

Step 5: Translation Challenge

12

Translate: "She is not afraid, but she is very thirsty."

13

Translate: "Are you (formal) hungry? We are not hungry."

14

Translate: "I am afraid of losing my keys."

Quick FAQ

Q: Can I ever say Je suis affamé or Je suis assoiffé?

Yes. These are adjectives meaning "starving" and "parched." Because they are adjectives, they correctly use être. However, they are much stronger and more dramatic than the everyday J'ai très faim or J'ai très soif. For daily use, stick with the avoir expressions.

Q: Why isn't there an article? Why not J'ai la faim?

Because avoir faim is a fixed verbal idiom, not a phrase about possessing a countable object. In this structure, faim loses its regular noun status and becomes part of the verb's meaning. Using an article, like J'ai la faim, would sound very unnatural, as if you were talking about possessing the abstract concept of hunger itself.

Q: How do I say "to be scary" versus "to be scared"?

This is a crucial distinction. To be scared is avoir peur (Le chat a peur). To be scary is most often expressed with faire peur à (to make fear to someone) or the adjective effrayant(e). For example: Le film d'horreur fait peur aux enfants. (The horror movie scares the children.) or Ce film est effrayant. (This movie is scary.)

Q: What about expressions like une faim de loup? It uses an article!

You're right. Avoir une faim de loup (to be hungry as a wolf) is a fixed idiom. In these colorful, established phrases, the grammar can have its own special rules. Think of them as unique vocabulary items to be memorized as a whole. The general rule for forming your own sentences remains: no article.

Conjugation of Avoir

Subject Avoir (Present) Expression
Je
ai
faim
Tu
as
soif
Il/Elle/On
a
peur
Nous
avons
froid
Vous
avez
chaud
Ils/Elles
ont
sommeil

Meanings

These expressions use the verb 'avoir' (to have) followed by a noun to describe a state of being that English speakers typically describe using 'to be' + adjective.

1

Physical Needs

Describing hunger, thirst, or sleepiness.

“J'ai faim.”

“Il a soif.”

2

Emotional States

Describing fear or shame.

“Elle a peur.”

“Ils ont honte.”

3

Age and Temperature

Describing how old someone is or their thermal state.

“J'ai vingt ans.”

“J'ai froid.”

Reference Table

Reference table for Expressions with Avoir: Hungry, Thirsty, Afraid (Avoir faim, soif, peur)
Form Structure Example
Affirmative
S + Avoir + Noun
J'ai faim.
Negative
S + ne + Avoir + pas + Noun
Je n'ai pas faim.
Interrogative
Avoir + S + Noun?
As-tu faim?
Intensified
S + Avoir + très + Noun
J'ai très faim.
Past
S + Avoir (imparfait/passé) + Noun
J'avais faim.
Conditional
S + Avoir (conditionnel) + Noun
J'aurais faim.

Formality Spectrum

Formal
J'ai faim.

J'ai faim. (Dining)

Neutral
J'ai faim.

J'ai faim. (Dining)

Informal
J'ai la dalle.

J'ai la dalle. (Dining)

Slang
J'ai la dalle.

J'ai la dalle. (Dining)

Avoir Expressions Map

Avoir

Physical

  • faim hunger
  • soif thirst

Emotional

  • peur fear
  • honte shame

Avoir vs Être

Use Avoir
faim hungry
Use Être
fatigué tired

Choosing the Verb

1

Is it a temporary state?

YES
Use Avoir
NO
Use Être

Common Avoir States

🍎

Needs

  • • faim
  • • soif
  • • sommeil
😨

Feelings

  • • peur
  • • honte
  • • envie
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Examples by Level

1

J'ai faim.

I am hungry.

2

Tu as soif ?

Are you thirsty?

3

Il a peur.

He is afraid.

4

Nous avons froid.

We are cold.

1

Je n'ai pas faim.

I am not hungry.

2

Elle a très soif.

She is very thirsty.

3

Avez-vous peur ?

Are you afraid?

4

Ils ont honte.

They are ashamed.

1

J'ai peur de rater le train.

I am afraid of missing the train.

2

Il a besoin de manger.

He needs to eat.

3

Elle a envie de dormir.

She feels like sleeping.

4

Nous avons tort.

We are wrong.

1

Il a beau avoir faim, il ne mange pas.

Even though he is hungry, he doesn't eat.

2

Elle a eu peur en voyant le film.

She was scared while watching the movie.

3

On a soif de justice.

We are thirsty for justice.

4

J'ai hâte de te voir.

I can't wait to see you.

1

Il a une peur bleue des araignées.

He is terrified of spiders.

2

Elle a soif d'apprendre.

She is thirsty for knowledge.

3

Ils ont eu beau crier, personne n'a entendu.

They shouted in vain, but no one heard.

4

J'ai le trac avant de monter sur scène.

I have stage fright before going on stage.

1

Il a beau jeu de critiquer.

It's easy for him to criticize.

2

Elle a l'âme en peine.

She is heartbroken.

3

Nous avons le cafard aujourd'hui.

We are feeling down today.

4

Il a le bras long dans cette entreprise.

He has influence in this company.

Easily Confused

Expressions with Avoir: Hungry, Thirsty, Afraid (Avoir faim, soif, peur) vs Avoir vs Être

Learners mix them up because English uses 'to be' for both.

Expressions with Avoir: Hungry, Thirsty, Afraid (Avoir faim, soif, peur) vs Avoir + Noun vs Adjective

Learners try to use adjectives after 'avoir'.

Expressions with Avoir: Hungry, Thirsty, Afraid (Avoir faim, soif, peur) vs Articles with Avoir

Learners add 'le/la' before the noun.

Common Mistakes

✗

Je suis faim

✓

J'ai faim

Use avoir, not être.
✗

J'ai la faim

✓

J'ai faim

No article needed.
✗

Il a faims

✓

Il a faim

Nouns don't pluralize here.
✗

J'ai très faim

✓

J'ai très faim

Correct, but some add 'très' incorrectly.
✗

Est-ce que tu as faim ?

✓

As-tu faim ?

Both are correct, but learners often overcomplicate.
✗

J'ai pas faim

✓

Je n'ai pas faim

Missing 'ne'.
✗

Il a peur de le chien

✓

Il a peur du chien

Contraction required.
✗

J'ai peur que il vient

✓

J'ai peur qu'il vienne

Subjunctive needed.
✗

J'ai envie de manger le pomme

✓

J'ai envie de manger la pomme

Gender agreement.
✗

Il a besoin d'un aide

✓

Il a besoin d'aide

Uncountable noun.
✗

Il a une peur bleue de la mort

✓

Il a une peur bleue de la mort

Correct, but watch for register.
✗

J'ai soif de justice

✓

J'ai soif de justice

Correct.
✗

Il a beau avoir faim

✓

Il a beau avoir faim

Correct.
✗

J'ai le trac

✓

J'ai le trac

Correct.

Sentence Patterns

J'ai ___.

Tu as ___ ?

Je n'ai pas ___.

J'ai très ___.

Real World Usage

Restaurant constant

J'ai faim, on commande ?

Texting very common

J'ai trop faim lol

Travel common

J'ai froid dans cet avion.

Job Interview occasional

J'ai hâte de commencer.

Food Delivery App common

J'ai faim, je commande une pizza.

Social Media common

J'ai peur de ce film !

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💡

The 'Avoir' Rule

Whenever you want to say 'I am [state]', pause and ask if it's a physical need. If yes, use 'avoir'.
⚠️

Avoid 'Être'

Never say 'Je suis faim'. It is the most common mistake for English speakers.
🎯

Intensifiers

Use 'très' to make the feeling stronger, like 'J'ai très soif'.
💬

Natural Phrasing

French speakers use these expressions constantly. Don't overthink them; just memorize the set phrases.

Smart Tips

Ask if it's a physical need. If yes, switch to 'avoir'.

Je suis faim → J'ai faim

Think: 'Do I possess this feeling?'

Je suis soif → J'ai soif

Remember the 'ne... pas' sandwich.

J'ai pas faim → Je n'ai pas faim

Always put 'très' after the verb.

J'ai faim très → J'ai très faim

Pronunciation

J'ai (zhay) -> Nous avons (noo-zav-on)

Liaison

When 'avoir' starts with a vowel, link it to the subject.

Rising for questions

Tu as faim ? ↗

Indicates a yes/no question.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of yourself as a container: you 'have' these feelings inside you.

Visual Association

Imagine a person holding a giant sandwich labeled 'Faim' and a glass labeled 'Soif'. They are 'having' these things.

Rhyme

If you are hungry or thirsty or scared, use 'avoir' and be well prepared!

Story

Pierre is walking in the woods. He has hunger (J'ai faim). He has thirst (J'ai soif). Suddenly, he sees a bear. He has fear (J'ai peur). He runs home.

Word Web

faimsoifpeursommeilchaudfroidhontebesoin

Challenge

Spend 5 minutes today describing every physical feeling you have using 'J'ai...'

Cultural Notes

Food is central to culture; 'J'ai faim' is a common way to start a conversation about lunch.

Similar usage, but 'avoir le cafard' is very common for feeling down.

Standard French usage applies, but 'avoir' is often used with local idiomatic nouns.

Derived from Latin 'habere' (to have), which evolved into 'avoir' in French.

Conversation Starters

“

As-tu faim ?

“

As-tu peur des araignées ?

“

As-tu soif après le sport ?

“

As-tu souvent sommeil en cours ?

Journal Prompts

Describe your day using at least three 'avoir' expressions.
Write about a time you were scared.
Explain why you are thirsty or hungry right now.
Discuss a fear you have and how you deal with it.

Common Mistakes

Incorrect

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

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Test Yourself

Fill in the correct form of avoir.

Je ___ faim.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: ai
Je takes 'ai'.
Choose the correct verb. Multiple Choice

___-tu soif ?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: As
Tu takes 'as'.
Find the mistake. Error Correction

Find and fix the mistake:

Je suis soif.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: suis
Should be 'J'ai'.
Reorder the words. Sentence Reorder

Arrange the words in the correct order:

All words placed

Click words above to build the sentence

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: J'ai faim
Subject + verb + noun.
Translate to French. Translation

I am afraid.

Answer starts with: J'a...

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: J'ai peur
Standard expression.
Conjugate for 'Nous'. Conjugation Drill

Nous ___ faim.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: avons
Nous takes 'avons'.
Complete the dialogue. Dialogue Completion

A: As-tu faim? B: ___, j'ai faim.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Oui
Logical response.
Sort into Avoir or Être. Grammar Sorting

Which verb for 'hungry'?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Avoir
Hunger is a state of having.

Score: /8

Practice Exercises

8 exercises
Fill in the correct form of avoir.

Je ___ faim.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: ai
Je takes 'ai'.
Choose the correct verb. Multiple Choice

___-tu soif ?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: As
Tu takes 'as'.
Find the mistake. Error Correction

Find and fix the mistake:

Je suis soif.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: suis
Should be 'J'ai'.
Reorder the words. Sentence Reorder

faim / J' / ai

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: J'ai faim
Subject + verb + noun.
Translate to French. Translation

I am afraid.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: J'ai peur
Standard expression.
Conjugate for 'Nous'. Conjugation Drill

Nous ___ faim.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: avons
Nous takes 'avons'.
Complete the dialogue. Dialogue Completion

A: As-tu faim? B: ___, j'ai faim.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Oui
Logical response.
Sort into Avoir or Être. Grammar Sorting

Which verb for 'hungry'?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Avoir
Hunger is a state of having.

Score: /8

Practice Bank

10 exercises
Reorder the words to form a correct sentence. Sentence Reorder

faim / très / ont / ils

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Ils ont très faim
Translate 'Are you thirsty?' (informal) Translation

Translate to French:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Tu as soif ?
Match the French to the English. Match Pairs

Match the expressions:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Avoir faim - To be hungry
Fill in the blank. Fill in the Blank

J'ai peur ___ araignées.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: des
How do you say 'They are afraid'? Multiple Choice

Pick the correct form:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Ils ont peur
Fix the intensity mistake. Error Correction

J'ai beaucoup faim.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: J'ai très faim.
Translate: 'She is afraid of failing.' Translation

Translate to French:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Elle a peur d'échouer.
Form a question. Sentence Reorder

soif / avez / vous / ?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Avez-vous soif ?
Fill in the blank. Fill in the Blank

Mon chien ___ peur du tonnerre.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: a
Match the person to the verb form. Match Pairs

Match avoir forms:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Je - ai

Score: /10

FAQ (8)

French conceptualizes these states as things you 'possess' rather than qualities you 'are'.

Yes, 'J'ai très faim' is perfectly natural.

It is an exception that follows the same rule.

No, never use an article with these expressions.

Use 'ne... pas' around the verb: 'Je n'ai pas faim'.

Yes, they are standard in all registers.

Use 'J'ai très peur'.

Yes, these are standard across the Francophonie.

Scaffolded Practice

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Mastery Progress

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Improving

Strong

Mastered

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In Other Languages

Spanish high

Tener + noun

The verb is 'tener' instead of 'avoir'.

German moderate

Hunger haben

Word order is often different.

English low

To be + adjective

English uses 'to be' while French uses 'to have'.

Japanese low

Onaka ga suita (stomach is empty)

Japanese focuses on the state of the body part.

Arabic high

Indi ju' (I have hunger)

The prepositional structure is different.

Chinese low

Wo e le (I hungry)

No verb 'to be' or 'to have' is required.

Learning Path

Prerequisites

Next
French Expressions with Faire: Weather & Hobbies (Faire)

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