avere

to have

verb ah-VEH-reh Common

Origin: Latin habere (to hold, have)

Usage Note

Avere is one of the two main auxiliaries in Italian; it is used with most transitive verbs to form compound tenses — ho mangiato (I have eaten). Unlike essere, the past participle does not agree with the subject unless a direct-object clitic precedes the verb: le ho viste (I saw them, f. pl.). Avere also appears in idiomatic expressions for physical states: ho fame (I'm hungry), ho freddo (I'm cold).

Examples

"Ho due fratelli."

Natural Translation

I have two brothers.

Literal Translation

I-have two brothers.

Related Words

Explore Italian by topic

ItalianNow

Italian Articles: Il, Lo, La, I, Gli, Le Explained

Italian has seven words for 'the' — il, lo, la, i, gli, le — but it's two questions, not seven cases. Master gender, sound, and the lo/gli rule fast.

June 5, 2026 7 min read

ItalianNow

Ti Amo vs Ti Voglio Bene: I Love You in Italian

Ti amo is romantic love; ti voglio bene is tender affection for family and close friends. Here's exactly who to say each phrase to in Italian.

June 5, 2026 5 min read

ItalianNow

Italian Noun Gender: Rules, Endings & Exceptions

Italian noun gender decoded: -o is usually masculine, -a feminine, but -zione and -tà are feminine, -ore and -ma masculine. Plus the trap words to memorize.

June 5, 2026 5 min read

ItalianNow

Essential Italian Travel Phrases (With Vorrei)

Vorrei means I would like — the politest, most useful Italian travel phrase. Learn five reusable frames to order, ask prices, and find your way in Italy.

June 5, 2026 5 min read