Learning French can be fun and useful, especially when talking about everyday actions. One important word to know is “has,” used to show ownership or something someone possesses. In English, we say “he has a book” or “she has a cat.” Learning how to express this in French helps you talk about what people own or experience.
In this article, you will learn how to say “has” in French, including phrases for “he has” and “she has.” We will also explore other ways to say it, responses, and practice exercises. By the end, you’ll be ready to use “has” correctly in French conversations.
Ways to Say “Has” in French
In French, the word “has” comes from the verb avoir, meaning “to have.” It changes based on who you are talking about. Knowing these forms will help you describe ownership or experiences clearly. Below are common ways to say “has” in French, with pronunciation, meaning, and examples.
1. A
Pronunciation: ah
Meaning: Has (used with “he” or “she”)
In a Sentence:
- Il a un chien. (He has a dog.)
- Elle a une voiture. (She has a car.)
2. Il a
Pronunciation: eel ah
Meaning: He has
In a Sentence:
- Il a un frère. (He has a brother.)
- Il a beaucoup de devoirs. (He has a lot of homework.)
3. Elle a
Pronunciation: el ah
Meaning: She has
In a Sentence:
- Elle a un chat. (She has a cat.)
- Elle a des amis sympas. (She has nice friends.)
4. On a
Pronunciation: ohn ah
Meaning: We have (informal) / One has
In a Sentence:
- On a une réunion. (We have a meeting.)
- On a du temps libre. (We have free time.)
5. Qui a
Pronunciation: kee ah
Meaning: Who has
In a Sentence:
- Qui a mon livre ? (Who has my book?)
- Qui a gagné ? (Who has won?)
6. Tout le monde a
Pronunciation: too luh mond ah
Meaning: Everyone has
In a Sentence:
- Tout le monde a faim. (Everyone is hungry.)
- Tout le monde a un avis. (Everyone has an opinion.)
7. Jean a
Pronunciation: zhahn ah
Meaning: Jean has (example with a name)
In a Sentence:
- Jean a une idée. (Jean has an idea.)
- Jean a un problème. (Jean has a problem.)
8. Chacun a
Pronunciation: shah-kahn ah
Meaning: Each one has
In a Sentence:
- Chacun a son rôle. (Each one has their role.)
- Chacun a ses propres rêves. (Each one has their own dreams.)
9. Ma mère a
Pronunciation: mah mehr ah
Meaning: My mother has
In a Sentence:
- Ma mère a un jardin. (My mother has a garden.)
- Ma mère a un cadeau pour toi. (My mother has a gift for you.)
10. Mon père a
Pronunciation: mohn pehr ah
Meaning: My father has
In a Sentence:
- Mon père a une moto. (My father has a motorcycle.)
- Mon père a beaucoup de travail. (My father has a lot of work.)
11. Marie a
Pronunciation: mah-ree ah
Meaning: Marie has (example with a name)
In a Sentence:
- Marie a un chien. (Marie has a dog.)
- Marie a de bons amis. (Marie has good friends.)
12. L’élève a
Pronunciation: lay-lehv ah
Meaning: The student has
In a Sentence:
- L’élève a une question. (The student has a question.)
- L’élève a son cahier. (The student has their notebook.)
13. L’enseignant a
Pronunciation: lon-say-nyon ah
Meaning: The teacher has
In a Sentence:
- L’enseignant a des réponses. (The teacher has answers.)
- L’enseignant a une classe aujourd’hui. (The teacher has a class today.)
14. La famille a
Pronunciation: lah fah-mee ah
Meaning: The family has
In a Sentence:
- La famille a une grande maison. (The family has a big house.)
- La famille a des traditions spéciales. (The family has special traditions.)
15. L’entreprise a
Pronunciation: lon-treh-preez ah
Meaning: The company has
In a Sentence:
- L’entreprise a un nouveau projet. (The company has a new project.)
- L’entreprise a des employés talentueux. (The company has talented employees.)
16. Le chien a
Pronunciation: luh shee-ehn ah
Meaning: The dog has
In a Sentence:
- Le chien a un jouet. (The dog has a toy.)
- Le chien a beaucoup d’énergie. (The dog has a lot of energy.)
17. La voiture a
Pronunciation: lah vwah-tewr ah
Meaning: The car has
In a Sentence:
- La voiture a un moteur puissant. (The car has a powerful engine.)
- La voiture a un problème. (The car has a problem.)
18. Mon ami a
Pronunciation: moh-nah-mee ah
Meaning: My friend has
In a Sentence:
- Mon ami a un talent spécial. (My friend has a special talent.)
- Mon ami a une idée géniale. (My friend has a great idea.)
19. Le voisin a
Pronunciation: luh vwaz-ahn ah
Meaning: The neighbor has
In a Sentence:
- Le voisin a une nouvelle voiture. (The neighbor has a new car.)
- Le voisin a un grand jardin. (The neighbor has a big garden.)
20. La ville a
Pronunciation: lah veel ah
Meaning: The city has
In a Sentence:
- La ville a de beaux parcs. (The city has beautiful parks.)
- La ville a un centre commercial animé. (The city has a busy mall.)
21. L’enfant a
Pronunciation: lon-fahn ah
Meaning: The child has
In a Sentence:
- L’enfant a un jouet préféré. (The child has a favorite toy.)
- L’enfant a beaucoup d’énergie. (The child has a lot of energy.)
22. Mon frère a
Pronunciation: mohn frehr ah
Meaning: My brother has
In a Sentence:
- Mon frère a un vélo rouge. (My brother has a red bike.)
- Mon frère a un nouvel emploi. (My brother has a new job.)
23. Ma sœur a
Pronunciation: mah suhr ah
Meaning: My sister has
In a Sentence:
- Ma sœur a une poupée. (My sister has a doll.)
- Ma sœur a un chat mignon. (My sister has a cute cat.)
24. Le professeur a
Pronunciation: luh proh-fes-uhr ah
Meaning: The teacher has
In a Sentence:
- Le professeur a une leçon intéressante. (The teacher has an interesting lesson.)
- Le professeur a beaucoup d’élèves. (The teacher has many students.)
25. Le voisinage a
Pronunciation: luh vwaz-ee-nazh ah
Meaning: The neighborhood has
In a Sentence:
- Le voisinage a un parc agréable. (The neighborhood has a nice park.)
- Le voisinage a de bonnes écoles. (The neighborhood has good schools.)
26. Le magasin a
Pronunciation: luh mah-gah-zan ah
Meaning: The store has
In a Sentence:
- Le magasin a des vêtements en solde. (The store has clothes on sale.)
- Le magasin a tout ce dont j’ai besoin. (The store has everything I need.)
27. Mon oncle a
Pronunciation: mohn ohn-kl ah
Meaning: My uncle has
In a Sentence:
- Mon oncle a une ferme. (My uncle has a farm.)
- Mon oncle a un bateau. (My uncle has a boat.)
28. Ma tante a
Pronunciation: mah tahnt ah
Meaning: My aunt has
In a Sentence:
- Ma tante a une maison à la campagne. (My aunt has a house in the countryside.)
- Ma tante a un chien très gentil. (My aunt has a very nice dog.)
29. Le joueur a
Pronunciation: luh zhwa-uhr ah
Meaning: The player has
In a Sentence:
- Le joueur a beaucoup de talent. (The player has a lot of talent.)
- Le joueur a marqué un but. (The player has scored a goal.)
30. Le médecin a
Pronunciation: luh meh-deh-sahn ah
Meaning: The doctor has
In a Sentence:
- Le médecin a de nombreux patients. (The doctor has many patients.)
- Le médecin a une clinique moderne. (The doctor has a modern clinic.)
Other Ways to Say “Has” in French
Here is a table with alternative ways to say “has” in French, along with pronunciation, meaning, and example sentences.
| Other Ways to Say | Pronunciation | Meaning | Example Sentences |
| Possède | poh-sed | Owns, possesses | Elle possède une maison. (She owns a house.) |
| Détient | day-tyan | Holds, possesses | Il détient le record. (He holds the record.) |
| Est en possession de | eh tahn poh-seh-syon duh | Is in possession of | Elle est en possession du document. (She is in possession of the document.) |
| Dispose de | dee-spohz duh | Has access to | Il dispose d’une voiture. (He has access to a car.) |
| A obtenu | ah ohb-teh-nyoo | Has obtained | Elle a obtenu un diplôme. (She has obtained a degree.) |
| A reçu | ah reh-syoo | Has received | Il a reçu une lettre. (He has received a letter.) |
| Est propriétaire de | eh proh-pree-e-tehr duh | Is the owner of | Il est propriétaire de cette maison. (He is the owner of this house.) |
| Possède en propre | poh-sed ahn proh-pruh | Personally owns | Elle possède en propre l’entreprise. (She personally owns the company.) |
| A acquis | ah ah-kee | Has acquired | Il a acquis une nouvelle compétence. (He has acquired a new skill.) |
| A gagné | ah gahn-yay | Has won/earned | Elle a gagné un prix. (She has won a prize.) |
| Est doté de | eh doh-tay duh | Is equipped with | Il est doté de compétences uniques. (He is equipped with unique skills.) |
| Dispose d’un droit | dee-spohz dun drwah | Has a right | Elle dispose d’un droit légal. (She has a legal right.) |
| Est pourvu de | eh pohr-voo duh | Is provided with | La maison est pourvue d’un jardin. (The house is provided with a garden.) |
| Est équipé de | ehz eh-kee-pay duh | Is equipped with | La voiture est équipée d’un GPS. (The car is equipped with a GPS.) |
| Jouit de | zhwee duh | Enjoys, has | Elle jouit d’une bonne réputation. (She enjoys a good reputation.) |
Responses to “Has” in French
When someone mentions that they or another person “has” something in French, you can respond in various ways to show interest, agreement, or surprise. These responses help keep the conversation going smoothly.
1. Vraiment ?
Pronunciation: vray-mahn
Meaning: Really?
In a Sentence:
- Elle a une nouvelle voiture. (She has a new car.)
- Vraiment ? C’est génial ! (Really? That’s great!)
2. C’est super !
Pronunciation: say soo-pehr
Meaning: That’s great!
In a Sentence:
- Il a obtenu un prix. (He has won a prize.)
- C’est super ! Félicitations ! (That’s great! Congratulations!)
3. Moi aussi !
Pronunciation: mwah oh-see
Meaning: Me too!
In a Sentence:
- J’ai un chat. (I have a cat.)
- Moi aussi ! (Me too!)
4. Quelle chance !
Pronunciation: kel shahns
Meaning: How lucky!
In a Sentence:
- Il a une maison près de la plage. (He has a house near the beach.)
- Quelle chance ! (How lucky!)
5. Pas mal !
Pronunciation: pah mahl
Meaning: Not bad!
In a Sentence:
- Elle a beaucoup de talent. (She has a lot of talent.)
- Pas mal ! (Not bad!)
6. Sérieusement ?
Pronunciation: seh-ree-uhz-mahn
Meaning: Seriously?
In a Sentence:
- Il a trois voitures. (He has three cars.)
- Sérieusement ? C’est incroyable ! (Seriously? That’s incredible!)
7. C’est vrai ?
Pronunciation: say vray
Meaning: Is that true?
In a Sentence:
- Elle a gagné un voyage. (She has won a trip.)
- C’est vrai ? Quelle surprise ! (Is that true? What a surprise!)
8. Tant mieux !
Pronunciation: tahn myeuh
Meaning: So much the better!
In a Sentence:
- Il a trouvé un nouvel emploi. (He has found a new job.)
- Tant mieux ! (So much the better!)
9. C’est incroyable !
Pronunciation: say an-krwah-yah-bluh
Meaning: That’s incredible!
In a Sentence:
- Elle a réussi tous ses examens. (She has passed all her exams.)
- C’est incroyable ! (That’s incredible!)
10. Félicitations !
Pronunciation: fay-lee-see-tah-syon
Meaning: Congratulations!
In a Sentence:
- Il a terminé son projet à temps. (He has finished his project on time.)
- Félicitations ! (Congratulations!)
11. C’est impressionnant !
Pronunciation: say ehm-pres-syoh-nahn
Meaning: That’s impressive!
In a Sentence:
- Il a construit sa propre maison. (He has built his own house.)
- C’est impressionnant ! (That’s impressive!)
12. Pas possible !
Pronunciation: pah poh-see-bluh
Meaning: No way!
In a Sentence:
- Elle a terminé le marathon en premier. (She finished the marathon first.)
- Pas possible ! (No way!)
13. Bravo !
Pronunciation: brah-voh
Meaning: Well done!
In a Sentence:
- Il a obtenu son diplôme avec mention. (He has earned his degree with honors.)
- Bravo ! (Well done!)
14. Incroyable !
Pronunciation: an-krwah-yah-bluh
Meaning: Unbelievable!
In a Sentence:
- Elle a écrit un livre en trois mois. (She wrote a book in three months.)
- Incroyable ! (Unbelievable!)
Exercise to Practice “Has” in French
Complete the following sentences using the correct form of “has” in French. Fill in the blanks with the appropriate phrase. The entire sentence is in French, followed by its meaning in English.
Fill-in-the-Blanks
- Marie _______ un chien adorable.
- Mon frère _______ un vélo rouge.
- Elle _______ une maison à Paris.
- Il _______ une nouvelle voiture.
- Mon père _______ un emploi important.
- Ma sœur _______ un sac élégant.
- Le professeur _______ une leçon intéressante.
- L’enfant _______ un jouet préféré.
- Jean _______ un ordinateur portable.
- La ville _______ de beaux parcs.
- Mon oncle _______ une ferme en campagne.
- Ma tante _______ un jardin magnifique.
Answers
- Marie a un chien adorable. (Marie has an adorable dog.)
- Mon frère a un vélo rouge. (My brother has a red bike.)
- Elle a une maison à Paris. (She has a house in Paris.)
- Il a une nouvelle voiture. (He has a new car.)
- Mon père a un emploi important. (My father has an important job.)
- Ma sœur a un sac élégant. (My sister has an elegant bag.)
- Le professeur a une leçon intéressante. (The teacher has an interesting lesson.)
- L’enfant a un jouet préféré. (The child has a favorite toy.)
- Jean a un ordinateur portable. (Jean has a laptop.)
- La ville a de beaux parcs. (The city has beautiful parks.)
- Mon oncle a une ferme en campagne. (My uncle has a farm in the countryside.)
- Ma tante a un jardin magnifique. (My aunt has a beautiful garden.)
Conclusion
Learning how to say “has” in French using the verb avoir is essential for everyday conversations. Whether you are talking about what someone owns, what they experience, or describing something, mastering this verb helps you express yourself clearly.
By practicing phrases like “Il a” (he has) or “Elle a” (she has), you can talk about people, objects, and situations in French with confidence. Keep practicing the exercises and responses provided in this article, and soon using avoir will feel natural. Happy learning!