Learning the Basics of French/Lesson:Introducing Yourself/3

Courses in French
Course #1: Français I
Course #2: Français II
Course #3: Français III
Course #4: Français IV



Dialogue

Here is a sample conversation:

Marc and Jeanette have just met.

Marc: Bonjour. Je m'appelle Marc. Et toi?

Jeanette: Bonjour, Marc! Moi, je m'appelle Jeanette. Quel âge as-tu?

Marc: J'ai seize ans, et toi?

Jeanette: J'ai dix-sept ans.

Marc: Oh lala, J'ai un rendez-vous, à demain!

Jeanette: À demain.


Translation:

Marc: Bonjour. Je m'appelle Marc. Et toi?

     Hello. My name is Marc. And You?

Jeanette: Bonjour, Marc! Moi, je m'appelle Jeanette. Quel âge as-tu?

         Hello, Marc! My name is Jeanette. How old are you?

Marc: J'ai seize ans, et toi?

     I am sixteen years old, and you?

Jeanette: J'ai dix-sept ans.

         I am seventeen years old.

Marc: Oh lala, J'ai un rendez-vous, à demain!

     Oh, I have an appointment, bye!

Jeanette: À demain.

         Bye!

G: The verb avoir

"Avoir" can be translated as "to have".

Expressing Age

Avoir is used to express age.

  • Tu as quel âge? - How old are you? [lit: You have what age?]
  • J'ai trente ans. - I'm thirty (years old). [lit: I have thirty years]

Formation

French Verb • Present Indicative • audio (100 kb • help)
avoir to have
Singular Plural
first person j'ai I have nous avons we have
second person tu as you have vous avez you have
third person il a he has ils ont they have
(masc. or mixed)
elle a she has
on a one has elles ont they have (fem.)


Examples

J'ai deux stylos. I have two pens.
Tu as trois frères. You have three brothers.
Il a une idée. He has an idea.
Il a faim. He is hungry.

Expressing Age

Avoir is used to express age.

  • Tu as quel âge? - How old are you? [lit: You have what age?]
  • J'ai trente ans. - I'm thirty (years old). [lit: I have thirty years]