tu as
In French, "you have" is expressed as tu as.
The phrase is used to state that someone possesses or owns something.
Which one should you use?
The form tu as is used for one person whom you know well, such as a friend, family member or child. In contrast, use vous avez instead of tu as when addressing more than one person or when being formal with a single person.
How does it change in a sentence?
The form tu as is the second-person singular present indicative of the verb avoir (to have).
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often confuse tu as (you have) with tu es (you are) because they sound somewhat similar in quick speech.
Did you know?
- While English uses 'to be' to describe age, French uses tu as to say 'you are' a certain age. You would say tu as vingt ans, literally translating to 'you have twenty years'.
- Using tu as with a stranger or a superior can be perceived as an insult or an assertion of dominance in France.
- The word as in tu as shares a linguistic ancestor with the English word 'has', despite the spelling and sound differences being quite significant over centuries.
Examples in context
- Tu as le temps.You have time.This sentence is useful for expressing that someone possesses time.Tatoeba #4040774 by ikui, translation #2255000 by CK
- Tu as ma tasse.You have my mug.This sentence is useful for expressing that someone possesses a mug.Tatoeba #5662064 by Aiji, translation #2549419 by CK
- Tu as été dupé.You have been duped.This sentence is useful for expressing that someone has been duped.Tatoeba #9763469 by lbdx, translation #5753587 by CM
- Excusez-moi, vous avez un stylo?Excuse me, do you have a pen?
- Est-ce que vous avez un rendez-vous?Do you have an appointment?
- Auriez-vous un moment pour me parler?Would you have a moment to talk to me?
- Tu as un chien?Do you have a dog?
- Est-ce que tu as une idée?Do you have an idea?
- T'as vu mon téléphone?Have you seen my phone?
- 668 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Gabriel and Manon are talking in a cafe.
- GabrielTu as mon livre ?Do you have my book?
- ManonOui, je l'ai ici.Yes, I have it here.
- GabrielMerci beaucoup, Manon.Thank you very much, Manon.
- ManonDe rien, Gabriel.You're welcome, Gabriel.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries as, tu, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
