besoin

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/bə.zwɛ̃/

nounmasculine

need

necessity

requirement

J'ai vraiment besoin de vacances en ce moment.

I really need a vacation right now.

Synonyms:nécessité, manque, exigence

nounmasculine

urge

impulse

psychological need to do or feel something

Il a ressenti le besoin de partir tout de suite.

He felt the urge to leave immediately.

Synonyms:envie, pulsion, impulsion

Notes

GENERAL INFO

Besoin is a masculine noun meaning "need" or "necessity."

USAGE

It is most commonly used with the verb "avoir" in the construction avoir besoin de (to need). This phrase is followed by a noun or an infinitive verb.

Examples:

"J'ai besoin d'eau." (I need water.)

"Tu as besoin de dormir." (You need to sleep.)

TRAPS

Learners often mistakenly use "être besoin de" instead of "avoir besoin de."

Remember, besoin is a noun (a need), not a verb or an adjective, so it always combines with "avoir."