haben

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have, own, have, have, feel
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/ˈhaːbn̩/
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To possess, experience or receive something; also a perfect tense auxiliary.
Practice using haben in conversation until it feels natural

Examples

  • Er will die Rechnung sofort haben.
    He wants to have the bill immediately.
  • Ich habe Hunger.
    I am hungry.
  • Ich möchte die rote Tasche haben.
    I would like to have the red bag.
  • Sie hat heute viel gelernt.
    She has learned a lot today.
  • Wir haben jetzt Montag.
    It is Monday now.

Similar words

erhalten
bekommen
besitzen
aufweisen

Meanings

Possess

verb
possession
neutral
To own something or have a person in one’s family or circle.

Examples

  • Ich habe ein Fahrrad.
    I have a bicycle.
  • Sie hat zwei Brüder.
    She has two brothers.
  • Wir haben ein kleines Haus.
    We have a small house.
  • Hast du einen Stift?
    Do you have a pen?
  • Er hat viele Freunde.
    He has many friends.

Similar words

besitzen

Have a feature

verb
qualities
neutral
To show a feature, quality, part or measurable property.

Examples

  • Sie hat blaue Augen.
    She has blue eyes.
  • Das Zimmer hat zwei Fenster.
    The room has two windows.
  • Er hat viel Geduld.
    He has a lot of patience.
  • Der Plan hat einen Vorteil.
    The plan has an advantage.
  • Dieses Wort hat drei Bedeutungen.
    This word has three meanings.

Similar words

aufweisen

Feel or experience

verb
states
neutral
To experience a feeling, need, illness or available time.

Examples

  • Ich habe Hunger.
    I am hungry.
  • Sie hat Angst vor Hunden.
    She is afraid of dogs.
  • Wir haben heute wenig Zeit.
    We have little time today.
  • Er hat seit gestern Fieber.
    He has had a fever since yesterday.
  • Hast du Lust auf Tee?
    Do you feel like having tea?

Similar words

Conditions prevail

verb
circumstances
neutral
To describe a day, weather or other circumstances that obtain.

Examples

  • Heute haben wir schönes Wetter.
    We have lovely weather today.
  • Morgen haben wir keine Schule.
    We have no school tomorrow.
  • Wir haben jetzt Montag.
    It is Monday now.
  • Im Juli haben sie dort Winter.
    They have winter there in July.
  • Draußen haben wir dreißig Grad.
    It is thirty degrees outside.

Similar words

Receive or get

verb
receiving
neutral
To get or ask to be given something.

Examples

  • Kann ich bitte ein Glas Wasser haben?
    May I have a glass of water, please?
  • Sie möchte die Antwort heute noch haben.
    She wants to have the reply today.
  • Darf ich den Schlüssel haben?
    May I have the key?
  • Er will die Rechnung sofort haben.
    He wants to have the bill immediately.
  • Ich möchte die rote Tasche haben.
    I would like to have the red bag.

Similar words

bekommen
erhalten

Perfect tense auxiliary

verb
grammar
neutral
To form a completed tense with the past participle of many verbs.

Examples

  • Ich habe das Buch gelesen.
    I have read the book.
  • Sie hat heute viel gelernt.
    She has learned a lot today.
  • Wir haben zusammen gegessen.
    We have eaten together.
  • Hast du das Fenster geöffnet?
    Have you opened the window?
  • Die Kinder haben im Garten gespielt.
    The children have played in the garden.

Similar words

Etymology

From Old High German habēn, originally “grasp” or “seize”; related to heben.

FAQ

What does haben mean?

It can mean own, show a feature, experience a state, receive something, or help form the perfect tense.

What is the gender of haben?

It is a verb, so it has no noun gender or article.

What is the plural of haben?

Its present third person is hat; past hatte; participle gehabt.

How is haben used?

With a past participle, haben forms the perfect: ich habe gelesen.

Where does haben come from?

Duden traces it to Old High German habēn, originally “grasp”.

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