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Avoir is used in the impersonal expression il y a,
which means either 'there is' or 'there are.'
Il y a is used to express the existence of a person or a thing, or to make a list or inventory of persons or things.
The indefinite article (un, une, des) is usually used with il y a.
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| Tex: A Paris il y a une tour, la Tour Eiffel. |
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Tex: In Paris there is a tower, the Eiffel Tower. |
| En France il y a des cathédrales, des châteaux, des monuments anciens ... |
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In France there are cathedrals, castles, ancient monuments ... |
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The negative of il y a is il n'y a pas.
The indefinite article (un une, des) becomes de or d' after this negative expression.
This corresponds to the English word 'any.'
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| Tex: Au Texas il n'y a pas de cathédrales, il n'y a pas de châteaux, il n'y a pas de monuments anciens, |
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Tex: In Texas, there aren't any cathedrals, there aren't any castles, there aren't any ancient monuments, |
| Tammy: Mais il y a une tour à l'Université du Texas à Austin. |
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Tammy: But there is a tower at the University of Texas at Austin! |
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Avoir is used in many idiomatic expressions. Note that the English translation often uses the verb 'to be' rather than 'to have.'
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| avoir besoin de |
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to need |
| avoir envie de |
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to want (to do something), to feel like (doing something) |
| avoir l'intention de |
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to intend to (do something) |
| avoir faim |
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to be hungry |
| avoir soif |
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to be thirsty |
| avoir chaud |
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to be hot |
| avoir froid |
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to be cold |
| avoir honte (de) |
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to be ashamed (of) |
| avoir mal (à la tête, à la gorge, aux yeux) |
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to hurt (to have a headache, to have a sore throat, to have sore eyes) |
| avoir raison |
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to be right |
| avoir tort |
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to be wrong |
| avoir sommeil |
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to be sleepy |
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| Bette: Tex, j'ai faim. |
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Bette: Tex, I'm hungry. |
| Tex: Il y a un café à côté. Allons prendre un sandwich. |
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Tex: There's a café next door. Let's go have a sandwich. |
| Tammy: Mais, Tex. Bette et moi, nous avons un examen demain. J'ai envie de vous accompagner, mais nous avons besoin d'étudier. En plus, j'ai toujours froid dans ce café. |
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Tammy: But, Tex. Bette and I have a test tomorrow. I'd like to go with you, but we need to study. AND, I'm always cold in that cafe. |
| Bette: Tu as raison,Tammy. Toi, tu as besoin d'étudier, mais pas moi. J'ai l'intention de manger. Ciao. Miau. |
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Bette: You're, right, Tammy. You do need to study, but not me. I intend to eat. Ciao. Meow. |
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