What does it mean word for word?
The expression is composed of the verb avere (to have), the noun bisogno (need) and the preposition di (of). Literally, it translates to 'to have need of'.
Which one should you use?
While avere bisogno di focuses on a specific person's requirement, the impersonal verb bisognare is used to express that something is necessary in a general sense, such as in the phrase bisogna andare (it is necessary to go).
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The preposition di must always follow avere bisogno when the object of the need is a noun or a pronoun. To express the need to perform an action, use avere bisogno di followed directly by an infinitive verb.
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation is /aˈve.re biˈzoɲ.ɲo di/. It has 5 syllables, with the stress on the 2nd syllable.
What mistakes should you avoid?
Do not omit the preposition di at the end of the phrase. Unlike in English, 'di' is required in Italian.
Did you know?
- The word bisogno is not originally from Latin, the language that shaped most Italian. It actually comes from the language of the Franks, a Germanic people who settled in the region.
- Because bisogno is a noun, you can modify it with adjectives to change the intensity of the need, such as ho un bisogno immenso di for 'I have an immense need for'.
- In Italian, the impersonal verb bisognare is used to state general necessities, often omitting a specific subject entirely.
Examples in context
- Tom può avere bisogno di aiuto.Tom may need help.This sentence shows how to express that someone may need help using avere bisogno di.Tatoeba #4243644 by Guybrush88, translation #3434315 by CK
- Possiamo avere bisogno di questo.We may need this.This sentence uses avere bisogno di to show that something may be needed.Tatoeba #5891184 by Guybrush88, translation #3312740 by CK
- Potremmo avere bisogno di aiutarlo.We might need to help him.This sentence demonstrates using avere bisogno di followed by an infinitive to express needing to perform an action.Tatoeba #6215782 by Guybrush88, translation #3915085 by CH
- Ho bisogno di aiutoI need help
- Abbiamo bisogno di una soluzioneWe need a solution
- Devo prenotare una stanza d'albergoI need to book a hotel room
- Dobbiamo migliorare il nostro servizioWe need to improve our service
- È necessario fare una riunioneIt is necessary to hold a meeting
- Sono necessarie nuove strategieNew strategies are needed
- Mi serve un caffèI need a coffee
- Mi servono soldi per il bigliettoI need money for the ticket
- Ci vuole pazienza per imparare una linguaIt takes patience to learn a language
- Ci vogliono nuove ideeWe need new ideas
- 23 more sentences on Tatoeba
Sources
- Wiktionary, “need” translations and entries avere bisogno di, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries avere, avere bisogno di, bisogno, di, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
