Être and avoir

Foreign Languages

Definition

Être (to be) and avoir (to have) are the two most important French verbs. They are irregular and must be memorized. Beyond their basic meanings, they serve as auxiliary verbs for forming past tenses: most verbs use avoir in passé composé, but movement and reflexive verbs use être.

Examples

  • Je suis étudiant. (I am a student.) — être for identity
  • J'ai deux frères. (I have two brothers.) — avoir for possession
  • Je suis allé au parc. (I went to the park.) — être as auxiliary in passé composé
Key Fact

Être passé composé verbs (DR MRS VANDERTRAMP): Devenir, Revenir, Monter, Rester, Sortir, Venir, Aller, Naître, Descendre, Entrer, Rentrer, Tomber, Retourner, Arriver, Mourir, Partir

Related Terms

Passé composé with avoir Passé composé with être Reflexive verbs Imparfait basics

Study This Concept

Practice être and avoir with free review games in these units:

French 1-2 Unit 2: Family and Descriptions