French - Possession

J'ai ___.

I have ___.

Meaning: I have ___.

When to use: Use this to say you possess or carry something now. Add the appropriate article or number (e.g. un, une, des, trois).

Je n'ai pas ___.

I don't have ___.

Meaning: I don't have ___.

When to use: Say this when you want to tell someone you lack something. In negative sentences French often uses de before the noun (je n'ai pas de ...).

Tip: Beginners often say “Je n'ai pas un ...” instead of the usual “Je n'ai pas de ...”

Tu as ___ ?

Do you have ___?

Meaning: Do you have ___?

When to use: Ask informally if another person has something. Use tu with friends, family, or people your age.

Tu as des ___ ?

Do you have any ___?

Meaning: Do you have any ___?

When to use: Use this with plural count nouns to ask if someone has any of that item (e.g. des clés, des stylos).

Tip: Learners sometimes use singular form instead of plural (e.g. *Tu as un clés?)

Oui, j'ai ___.

Yes, I have ___.

Meaning: Yes, I have ___.

When to use: Short positive reply to say you possess something. Include articles if needed (un/une/des).

Non, je n'ai pas ___.

No, I don't have ___.

Meaning: No, I don't have ___.

When to use: Short negative reply to say you do not possess something right now.

C'est mon ___.

This is my ___.

Meaning: This is my ___.

When to use: Use to state ownership. Choose mon, ma, or mes depending on the gender and number of the noun that follows.

Tip: For feminine nouns beginning with a vowel learners sometimes say 'ma' but 'mon' is used before the vowel (e.g. mon amie).

C'est ton ___ ?

Is this your ___?

Meaning: Is this your ___?

When to use: Ask informally if something belongs to the other person. Use ton/ta/tes according to the noun.

C'est pas mon ___.

That's not my ___.

Meaning: That's not my ___.

When to use: Casual way to tell someone that something does not belong to you. More formal: Ce n'est pas mon ___.

J'ai ___ avec moi.

I have ___ with me.

Meaning: I have ___ with me.

When to use: Say this when you are carrying something now and it's with you (e.g. J'ai mon passeport avec moi).

C'est à moi.

It's mine.

Meaning: It's mine.

When to use: Short way to claim ownership without gender agreement. Good for casual, spoken French.

C'est à toi.

It's yours.

Meaning: It's yours.

When to use: Informal way to say something belongs to the listener (tu form). For polite/formal use C'est à vous.

C'est à moi ?

Is it mine?

Meaning: Is it mine?

When to use: Ask if an item belongs to you. Spoken and simple question form.