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Year 4 - French

I'm sick! 'Avoir' meaning 'be'

Introductions: singular 'être', 'avoir', and regular adjectives

Unit Summary

In this unit, pupils embed vowel and other sounds. They secure numbers 1-12 and essential verbs to be, to have and there are, describing themselves, friends and a monster. Pupils learn that 'avoir' also means 'be' for ages and states, enabling them to say with more precision how they feel.

Lesson Summary

You will learn to use 'avoir' with nouns to say how you am feeling and what hurts.

Key Notes

  • Many French word-final consonants are silent; words ending in -c, -r, -f and -l may be exceptions, e.g. 'mal', 'peur'.
  • 'Être' means to be. 'Avoir' means to have.
  • 'Avoir' can sometimes be translated as 'to be, being', with certain expressions, e.g. 'j'ai chaud', I am hot.
  • 'Avoir mal' means 'to be in pain' or 'to be sick'.
  • With a part of the body 'avoir mal' means that something hurts, e.g. 'j'ai mal à la tête', my head hurts.

Vocabulary To Learn

  • SFC: silent final consonant, silent letter (d, s, t, x) at the end of a word
  • avoir: French verb meaning 'to have, having'
  • être: French verb meaning 'to be, being'

Common Mistakes To Avoid

  • Expressions such as 'I am cold' must use the verb 'être' (to be) when translated into French, as in English. The verb 'avoir' can only be translated as 'to have'.

3 Quick Questions (With Answers)

1. Explain what you can now say or understand in this lesson.

Many French word-final consonants are silent; words ending in -c, -r, -f and -l may be exceptions, e.g. 'mal', 'peur'. 'Être' means to be. 'Avoir' means to have.

2. Define this key language word and use it in context. 'SFC'

silent final consonant, silent letter (d, s, t, x) at the end of a word. Say or write it in a short sentence so you use the word actively.

3. Correct this common language-learning mistake.

Mistake: Expressions such as 'I am cold' must use the verb 'être' (to be) when translated into French, as in English. The verb 'avoir' can only be translated as 'to have'. Correction: Certain expressions that use 'to be' in English, such as 'I am cold', actually use the verb 'avoir' in French: J'ai froid. 'Avoir' means 'to have' but it can also be translated as 'to be' with set expressions.

More Lessons In This Unit

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