a-t-il

French

Etymology

a (“has”) + -t- (a restoration of the Latin 3rd-person-singular -t) + il (“he”).

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /a.t‿il/

Verb

a-t-il

1. The interrogative form of avoir in the third-person singular masculine.

   A-t-il l'heure?

   Does he have the time?

2. A form of avoir (when used as a past auxiliary verb) in the third-person singular masculine, used after reporting direct speech.

   "C’est un honneur pour moi et pour mon pays", a-t-il ajouté.

   "This is an honour for me and for my country", he added.

Usage notes

When reporting direct speech, a-t-il always goes after the reported statement.

See also

• y a-t-il

Anagrams

• lait, liât