Italian · Everyday Verbs
"to need" in Italian: avere bisogno di
avere bisogno di
To need in Italian is avere bisogno di (ah-VEH-reh bee-ZOHN-yoh dee). You conjugate avere: ho bisogno, hai bisogno, ha bisogno, abbiamo bisogno.
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How to pronounce avere bisogno di
Say it
ah-VEH-reh bee-ZOHN-yoh dee
/aˈve.re biˈzoɲ.ɲo di/
Bisogno stresses ZOHN: bee-ZOHN-yoh. Ho bisogno is oh bee-ZOHN-yoh.
"to need" in Italian: quick reference
| Italian | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| avere bisogno di | to need Need something or to do something. | Need something or to do something. |
| ho / hai / ha bisogno | I / you / he-she need(s) Present with avere. | Present with avere. |
| abbiamo bisogno di | we need Shared needs. | Shared needs. |
| ne ho bisogno | I need it / them Ne replaces di + noun. | Ne replaces di + noun. |
How to use avere bisogno di in real life
- 1Shopping
Ho bisogno di latte e pane.
I need milk and bread.
Ho bisogno di + nouns.
- 2Asking a friend
Hai bisogno di aiuto con le valigie?
Do you need help with the suitcases?
Hai bisogno di.
- 3Team plan
Abbiamo bisogno di più tempo.
We need more time.
Abbiamo bisogno di.
Mistakes English speakers make with avere bisogno di
Incorrect: Io bisogno di acqua.
Correct: Ho bisogno di acqua.
Always conjugate avere with bisogno.
Incorrect: Ho bisogno il taxi.
Correct: Ho bisogno di un taxi.
Keep di before the thing needed.
Good to know
Ho bisogno di is direct and clear. For softer wants Italians may switch to vorrei, but bisogno names a real need—tickets, help, rest, a doctor.
Try it in a ChatPal conversation
Packing before a trip
ChatPal
Hai bisogno di un adattatore?
Do you need an adapter?
You
Sì. Ho bisogno di quello europeo.
Yes. I need the European one.
ChatPal
Ok. Abbiamo bisogno di uscire entro le otto.
Ok. We need to leave by eight.
You
Hai bisogno di me per chiudere la valigia?
Do you need me to close the suitcase?
This is a sample. In ChatPal you have this conversation out loud and get feedback on what you say.
Practice this conversation in ChatPal"to need" in other languages
FAQ
Common questions about "to need" in Italian
Why avere with bisogno?
Bisogno is a noun; Italian says to have need of.
How do I say I need to go?
Ho bisogno di andare or simply devo andare.
Can I drop di?
No—keep di before nouns and infinitives.
What about ne ho bisogno?
Ne replaces di + thing already mentioned: I need it.
Learn a word, then use it out loud
- Step 1: See it in context
- Step 2: Say it out loud
- Step 3: Get feedback
- Step 4: Use it in real scenarios
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