need

avoir besoin de

le besoin

need

A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., acheter).

transitive verb

1. (to require)

a. avoir besoin de

A car needs gas to start.Une voiture a besoin d’essence pour démarrer.

b. nécessiter

This situation needs a quick solution.Cette situation nécessite une solution rapide.

c. falloir

A word or phrase that is not directed to a particular person or thing (e.g., on doit).

(impersonal)

We'll need three more chairs for the lunch on Sunday.Il nous faudra encore trois chaises pour le déjeuner de dimanche.

An auxiliary verb, or helper verb, is a conjugated verb that comes before a main verb and determines the main verb's tense, mood, or aspect (e.g., avoir, être).

auxiliary verb

2. (to have to)

a. avoir besoin de

I don't need to tell you how important this merger is for the company.Je n’ai pas besoin de vous dire à quel point cette fusion est importante pour l’entreprise.

A noun is a word that refers to a person, animal, place, thing, feeling, or idea (e.g., femme, chat, maison).

noun

3. (requirement)

a. le besoin

(m) means that a noun is masculine. French nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la dame or la lune) or masculine (like l'homme or le soleil).

(M)

Everyone feels the need to be alone from time to time.Tout le monde ressent le besoin d’être seul de temps en temps.

b. la nécessité

(f) means that a noun is feminine. French nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la dame or la lune) or masculine (like l'homme or le soleil).

(F)

The teacher gave a speech about the need to follow the rules.Le professeur a fait un discours sur la nécessité de respecter les règles.

4. (lack)

a. la besoin

(f) means that a noun is feminine. French nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la dame or la lune) or masculine (like l'homme or le soleil).

(F)

This region is in desperate need of doctors.Cette région souffre d'un besoin criant de médecins.

5. (poverty)

a. le besoin

(m) means that a noun is masculine. French nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la dame or la lune) or masculine (like l'homme or le soleil).

(M)

Families affected by the hurricane are in need.Les familles touchées par l’ouragan sont dans le besoin.

Conjugations

Participles

Present:	needing
Past:	needed

Indicative of "need"

	Present	Past	Future
I	need	needed	will need
you	need	needed	will need
he/she	needs	needed	will need
we	need	needed	will need
you	need	needed	will need
they	need	needed	will need