N'avoir (en. Not to have)

/n‿avwaʁ/

Meaning & Definition

EnglishFrench

verb

Indicate the lack or absence of something.

I don't have a car.

Je n'ai pas de voiture.

Used in negative constructions to signify absence.

He has never studied for this exam.

Il n'a jamais étudié pour cet examen.

A form of expression of possession or experience in the negative.

She doesn't have any money today.

Elle n'a pas d'argent aujourd'hui.

Used to express a refusal.

I don't feel like going out tonight.

Je n'ai pas envie de sortir ce soir.

From Latin 'habere' which means 'to have'. The prefix ne- indicates negation.

to have no other choice

To be forced to do something.

n'avoir pas d'autre choix

to have nothing to do with

Not to have any connection or relation to something.

n'avoir rien à voir

to have only

To have only or solely.

n'avoir que

avoir

To have means to possess or hold something.

avoir

absence

Absence is the state of not being present or having something missing.

absence

lack

Lack denotes the state of being deprived of something.

manque

To have nothing in pocket

He's completely broke; he has nothing in pocket.

Il est complètement fauché, il n'a rien en poche.

To not have a penny

I can't go to the movies; I don't have a penny.

Je ne peux pas aller au cinéma, je n'ai pas le sou.