Haben can be used either as the main verb of a sentence or as a helping verb. In this section, we will discuss haben as the main verb. Haben appears frequently in German, and just as frequently used verbs in English, it is quite irregular. The only thing to do is to memorize these forms.
| haben • to have |
| ich habe |
wir haben |
| du hast |
ihr habt |
| er/sie/es hat |
sie haben |
| die Mutter |
Liebling, was hast du im Auto? |
Darling, what do you have in the car? |
| die Tochter |
Ich habe eine Decke. |
I have a blanket. |
| die Mutter |
Ach, keine Decke! Es regnet! |
Oh, no blanket! It is raining! |
| die Tochter |
Mutter! Ich habe einen Regenschirm! |
Mother! I have an umbrella! |
| related words |
| Hab und Gut |
possessions |
| die Habe |
possessions/belongings |
| habeas corpus |
literally: you shall have the body |
| der Habenichts |
the pauper |
| die Habgier |
greed |
| fun phrases |
|
| Was hast du gegen mich? |
What do you have against me? |
| Pech haben |
to have bad luck |
| Schwein gehabt! |
Lucky, lucky! |
| Da hast du es! |
There you have it! Didn’t I tell you? |
| Naja, wer hat, der hat! |
Well, those who have it, have it! |
| Er hat keine Auge im Kopf! |
He can’t see/get it! |
| Sie hat klebrige Finger! |
She steals (lit: sticky fingers) |
| Du hast Recht! |
You’re right! |
| Mensch, habe ich einen Kater! |
Man, I am so hung over! |
