C’est

C’est is a really common structure in French. Use it to answer the questions of “what something is” (Qu’est-ce c’est?/ C’est quoi?)   or “who someone is” (Qui est-ce? / C’est qui?). The answer is then “C’est + noun”:

C’est quoi? –  C’est un petit parapluie. 

What is it? – It’s a tiny umbrella.

C’est can also be followed by an adjective when it refers to the previous sentence, something that has just been said or something that can be inferred from the context:

C’est beau ici!

It’s beautiful here!

Il y a

To say “there is/are” in French, use the structure il y a:

Il y a un hôtel près de la plage.

There is a hotel close to the beach.

To say “there isnt’ /aren’t” in French, use the structure il n’y a pas. Remember that indefinite articles (un, une, des) become de in negative sentences:

Il n’y a pas d’auberge de jeunesse dans la ville.

There is no hostel in this city.

Il y a becomes y a-t-il  in questions. You can also say est-ce-qu’il y a:

Y a-t-il de la climatisation?

Y a-t-il des pains au chocolat?

Avoir besoin de

There isn’t a single word to express the verb “need” in French. The expression avoir besoin de (= to have the need to/of) is used instead. Remember to conjugate the verb avoir according to the subject of the sentence:

J’ai besoin d’un taxi.

Elle n’a pas besoin de toi.

Ils ont besoin d’argent.

Avoir besoin de can be followed by another verb in the infinitive:

Tu as besoin d’aller à la poste?

You need to go to the post office?

When followed by a singular countable noun, avoir besoin de requires an indefinite article (un/une) before the noun. Note that the indefinite plural article des is not used after the preposition de (e.g. Ils ont besoin de des oreillers. -> Ils ont besoin d’oreillers.).

J’ai besoin d’une pomme (f).

I need an apple.

Tu as besoin d’un billet de train (m)?

Do you need a train ticket?

​​Il faut

“Il faut + main verb (in base form)” is a common structure that means “it’s necessary to” (e.g It’s necessary to / we must go food shopping. > Il faut faire les courses.):

Il faut acheter du savon.

It’s necessary to / We’ve got to buy soap.

Il faut émincer les oignons.

It’s necessary to / We’ve got to chop the onions finely.

The negation words ne…pas are placed on each of side faut (e.g. One must not be late for school. > Il ne faut pas être en retard à l’école.):

Il ne faut pas manger de choses malsaines !

One must not eat unhealthy things/ food!