Ways to say it
| German | IPA |
|---|---|
| haben | /ˈhaːbən/ /ham/ |
| besitzen | /bəˈzɪtsən/ /beˈsitsɛn/ |
The primary verb for 'to have' is haben. While it is used for general possession, it is also used to express physical states or emotions. For example, you say Hunger haben to mean 'to be hungry' and Angst haben to mean 'to be afraid'. If you are specifically talking about experiencing or feeling something, you might use the verb erleben (to experience).
Which one should you use?
haben is the general word used in most everyday situations. In contrast, besitzen is used to indicate possession in more formal or legal contexts of ownership.
How does it change in a sentence?
The verb haben changes based on the subject and tense. The second-person singular form is hast (you have), and the third-person singular form is hat (he/she/it has). To express the past, the simple past form is hatte (had) and the past participle is gehabt, which is used to form the perfect tense, such as ich habe gehabt.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈhaːbən/
Did you know?
- While haben is used for general possession, the word besitzen is built from the prefix 'be-' and the verb sitzen, meaning 'to sit'.
- In German, you do not 'are' thirsty, but instead you Durst haben, literally meaning 'to have thirst'.
- The verb besitzen can imply a sense of 'occupying' a position or a job, not just owning a physical object.
Examples in context
- Er soll es haben!He shall have it.This sentence uses haben to express a command or requirement to have something.Tatoeba #1824427 by Tamy, translation #284593 by CM
- Wir haben zu tun.We have things to do.This sentence uses haben to indicate having tasks or business to attend to.Tatoeba #1894181 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #1893835 by CK
- Ich muss es haben.I have to have it.This sentence uses haben to express a necessity to possess something.Tatoeba #6625870 by Felixjp, translation #5351671 by Hybrid
- Ich habe morgen ein Vorstellungsgespräch.I have a job interview tomorrow.
- Hat er einen Führerschein?Does he have a driver's license?
- Ich habe ein neues Auto.I have a new car.
- Hast du Pläne für das Wochenende?Do you have any plans for the weekend?
- Ich besitze einen Hund.I have a dog
- Sie besitzt ein schönes Haus.She has a beautiful house
- Wir haben einen fantastischen Urlaub erlebt.We had a fantastic vacation
- 3830 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Laura and Maximilian are talking about a new book.
- LauraHast du das neue Buch?Do you have the new book?
- MaximilianNein, ich habe es noch nicht.No, I don't have it yet.
- LauraWir haben es in der Bibliothek.We have it in the library.
- MaximilianDann werde ich es mir leihen.Then I will borrow it.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “have” translations and entries haben, besitzen, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries besitzen, haben, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
