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J'ai (en. I have)

/ʒɛ/

Meaning & Definition

EnglishFrench

verb

Verb that has a declarative value of having.

I have a cat.

J'ai un chat.

Used to express possession.

I have a car.

J'ai une voiture.

Can also indicate an experience.

I saw that movie.

J'ai vu ce film.

Often expresses a state or a need.

I need help.

J'ai besoin d'aide.

Used to form compound tenses.

I finished my homework.

J'ai fini mes devoirs.

Etymology

Contraction of 'je' and 'ai', from the verb 'to have' in Old French.

Common Phrases and Expressions

I am afraid

I feel fear.

j'ai peur

I need

I need something.

j'ai besoin de

I feel that

I think that something is true.

j'ai l'impression que

Related Words

to have

Verb meaning to have, to possess.

avoir

possession

The state of having something.

possession

possessor

Someone who possesses something.

possesseur

Slang Meanings

I have no luck.

I have no luck today.

J'ai pas de chance aujourd'hui.

I'm starving.

I'm really starving right now!

J'ai vraiment la dalle là!