Verb: avere (to have)

Introduction to avere

The verb 'avere' means 'to have' and is one of the two most important verbs in Italian. Together with 'essere' (to be), it serves as an auxiliary (helping) verb in compound tenses. At the A1 level, you will learn its present tense forms and its core uses: expressing possession, stating age, and describing physical and emotional states. Several of these uses are quite different from English — especially age and states, where Italian uses 'avere' while English uses 'to be'.

A Note on Spelling: ho, hai, ha, hanno

The forms 'ho', 'hai', 'ha', and 'hanno' all begin with a silent 'h'. This silent h is there purely to distinguish these verb forms from other common Italian words: 'o' (or), 'ai' (to the), 'a' (to/at), 'anno' (year). You never pronounce the h, but you must always write it.

Use 1 — Possession

The most direct use of 'avere' is to express ownership or possession of objects, people (family), pets, and abstract things. This closely mirrors English 'to have'.

• Ho un cane. — I have a dog.
• Hai una macchina nuova? — Do you have a new car?
• Marco ha due fratelli. — Marco has two brothers.
• Noi abbiamo una casa in campagna. — We have a house in the countryside.
• Loro hanno molti libri. — They have many books.

Use 2 — Age (avere, NOT essere!)

This is one of the most important differences between Italian and English. To express age, Italian uses 'avere' + number + 'anni' (years). English says 'I am twenty years old', but Italian says 'Ho vent'anni' — literally 'I have twenty years'. Never use 'essere' for age. The word 'anni' (years) is always included in the full form, though in very casual speech it may be dropped.

• Ho vent'anni. — I am twenty years old.
• Quanti anni hai? — How old are you?
• Mia sorella ha quindici anni. — My sister is fifteen years old.
• Il bambino ha tre anni. — The child is three years old.
• Noi abbiamo trent'anni. — We are thirty years old.

Use 3 — Physical and Emotional States

Italian uses 'avere' (not 'essere') for a range of physical and emotional states that English expresses with 'to be'. You must memorize these expressions as set phrases. They all follow the pattern: avere + noun (no article).

• Ho fame. — I'm hungry.
• Hai sete? — Are you thirsty?
• Il bambino ha sonno. — The child is sleepy.
• Abbiamo freddo. — We're cold.
• Hanno fretta. — They're in a hurry.
• Ho paura dei ragni. — I'm afraid of spiders.
• Ho bisogno di aiuto. — I need help.

Use 4 — avere bisogno di (to need)

'Avere bisogno di' is a very useful expression meaning 'to need' or 'to be in need of'. It is followed by a noun or an infinitive verb. Pay attention to the 'di' — it is always required.

• Ho bisogno di una penna. — I need a pen.
• Hai bisogno di aiuto? — Do you need help?
• Ha bisogno di dormire. — He/She needs to sleep.
• Abbiamo bisogno di più tempo. — We need more time.
• Hanno bisogno di soldi. — They need money.