The verb AVERE and “There is/are” in Italian language

In this lesson we will learn two things that make Italian sentences sound natural: expressions with the verb AVERE (to have) and the constructions “c’è / ci sono” – there is / there are. At the end you will find two simple dialogues built from everything we’ve covered so far.

Expressions with AVERE

In English you say “I am hungry” or “I am 20 years old” with the verb “to be”. Italian uses “to have” instead: you “have hunger” and you “have 20 years”. If you translate word for word from English, Italians will understand you, but it will sound strange. Memorize these:

avere fame – to be hungry (to have hunger)

avere sete – to be thirsty

avere freddo – to be cold

avere caldo – to be hot

avere sonno – to be sleepy

avere paura – to be afraid

avere fretta – to be in a hurry

avere ragione – to be right

avere bisogno di – to need (to have need of)

avere … anni – to be … years old

Examples

Ho fame, mangiamo? – I’m hungry, shall we eat?

Quanti anni hai? – How old are you?

Ho venticinque anni – I am 25 years old

Il bambino ha sonno – The child is sleepy

Abbiamo fretta, il treno parte alle otto – We are in a hurry, the train leaves at eight

Hai ragione, scusa – You’re right, sorry

Ho bisogno di un caffè – I need a coffee

Non ho paura dei cani – I’m not afraid of dogs

C’è and Ci sono – There is and There are

This construction tells that something exists or is present in a place.

C’è + singular noun – there is:

C’è un problema – There is a problem

C’è una farmacia qui vicino? – Is there a pharmacy nearby?

Non c’è tempo – There is no time

Ci sono + plural noun – there are:

Ci sono molti turisti a Roma – There are many tourists in Rome

Ci sono due camere libere – There are two free rooms

Non ci sono problemi – There are no problems

As you can see, the question and the negation are simple: for a question just change the intonation, for a negation put NON in front.

Two simple dialogues

Al bar (At the cafe)

– Buongiorno! Che cosa prende? – Good morning! What are you having? (formal)

– Vorrei un cappuccino e un cornetto, per favore – I’d like a cappuccino and a croissant, please

– Va bene. Altro? – All right. Anything else?

– No, grazie. Quant’è? – No, thanks. How much is it?

– Tre euro e cinquanta – Three euros fifty

In albergo (At the hotel)

– Buonasera! Ci sono camere libere? – Good evening! Are there any free rooms?

– Sì, c’è una camera doppia al secondo piano – Yes, there is a double room on the second floor

– Perfetto. C’è il wi-fi? – Perfect. Is there wi-fi?

– Certo, è gratuito – Of course, it’s free

Vocabulary

fame – hunger

sete – thirst

freddo – cold

caldo – heat, hot

sonno – sleepiness

paura – fear

fretta – hurry

ragione – reason

bisogno – need

 farmacia – pharmacy

camera – room

albergo – hotel

cornetto – croissant

piano – floor

tempo – time

turista – tourist

vicino – near, nearby

libero / libera – free

Exercises

1. Translate into Italian using AVERE expressions

  1. I am hungry
  2. We are in a hurry
  3. How old are you? (tu)
  4. They are afraid
  5. You are right (tu)
  6. I need time

2. Put c’è or ci sono

  1. ______________ un supermercato in questa strada
  2. ______________ molte macchine in centro
  3. Non ______________ acqua calda
  4. ______________ camere libere?
  5. ______________ un treno alle dieci
  6. Non ______________ problemi

Answers:

Exercise 1 – 1: Ho fame; 2: Abbiamo fretta; 3: Quanti anni hai?; 4: Hanno paura; 5: Hai ragione; 6: Ho bisogno di tempo

Exercise 2 – 1: C’è; 2: Ci sono; 3: c’è; 4: Ci sono; 5: C’è; 6: ci sono