Meaning and behavior
What does haber mean?
Haber means to hold, to possess. VerbyGo classifies it as an irregular -ER verb. It is non-reflexive.
to exist; there be; “there is”, “there are” (hay); “there was”, “there were” (hubo/había); to have to.
Build from reliable parts
Principal forms
- Infinitive
- haber
- Gerund
- habiendo
- Past participle
- habido
Verified irregular pattern
How this verb behaves
Its forms differ from a fully regular -er pattern in the present, preterite, future.
Conjugation guide
Present forms
Present forms
Present
Use the present forms of haber for current situations, routines and actions that happen regularly.
| Subject | Haber |
|---|---|
| yo | he |
| tú | has |
| él / ella / usted | ha |
| nosotros / nosotras | hemos |
| vosotros / vosotras | habéis |
| ellos / ellas / ustedes | han |
Conjugation guide
Past forms
Past forms
Preterite
Use the preterite when the action of haber is presented as completed in the past.
| Subject | Haber |
|---|---|
| yo | hube |
| tú | hubiste |
| él / ella / usted | hubo |
| nosotros / nosotras | hubimos |
| vosotros / vosotras | hubisteis |
| ellos / ellas / ustedes | hubieron |
Past forms
Imperfect past
Use the imperfect for repeated or ongoing past uses of haber, or for background information.
| Subject | Haber |
|---|---|
| yo | había |
| tú | habías |
| él / ella / usted | había |
| nosotros / nosotras | habíamos |
| vosotros / vosotras | habíais |
| ellos / ellas / ustedes | habían |
Conjugation guide
Future and conditional
Future and conditional
Simple future
Use the future forms of haber for predictions, promises and future statements.
| Subject | Haber |
|---|---|
| yo | habré |
| tú | habrás |
| él / ella / usted | habrá |
| nosotros / nosotras | habremos |
| vosotros / vosotras | habréis |
| ellos / ellas / ustedes | habrán |
Future and conditional
Simple conditional
Use the conditional forms of haber for hypothetical or tactful statements.
| Subject | Haber |
|---|---|
| yo | habría |
| tú | habrías |
| él / ella / usted | habría |
| nosotros / nosotras | habríamos |
| vosotros / vosotras | habríais |
| ellos / ellas / ustedes | habrían |
Conjugation guide
Subjunctive forms
Subjunctive forms
Present subjunctive
Use these forms when a current wish, reaction, doubt or another trigger requires the subjunctive.
| Subject | Haber |
|---|---|
| yo | haya |
| tú | hayas |
| él / ella / usted | haya |
| nosotros / nosotras | hayamos |
| vosotros / vosotras | hayáis |
| ellos / ellas / ustedes | hayan |
Subjunctive forms
Imperfect subjunctive
Use these forms for past subjunctive contexts and hypothetical structures; the equivalent -se series is also accepted where supplied.
| Subject | Haber |
|---|---|
| yo | hubieraAlso accepted: hubiese |
| tú | hubierasAlso accepted: hubieses |
| él / ella / usted | hubieraAlso accepted: hubiese |
| nosotros / nosotras | hubiéramosAlso accepted: hubiésemos |
| vosotros / vosotras | hubieraisAlso accepted: hubieseis |
| ellos / ellas / ustedes | hubieranAlso accepted: hubiesen |
Verified context
Examples with haber
Se ha ido la luz.
The power went out.
Tatoeba example · CC BY 2.0 FRNo hay un plan B.
There is no plan B.
Tatoeba example · CC BY 2.0 FRYo no lo he hecho.
I didn't do it.
Tatoeba example · CC BY 2.0 FR
Quick answers
Haber FAQ
What does haber mean?
Haber means to hold, to possess.
Is haber regular or irregular?
Haber is a irregular -ER verb.
What is the gerund of haber?
The gerund of haber is habiendo.
What is the past participle of haber?
The past participle of haber is habido.
How is haber conjugated in the present?
The verified public subject set is he, has, ha, hemos, han.
How is haber conjugated in the preterite?
The verified public subject set is hube, hubiste, hubo, hubimos, hubieron.
Created by Alejandro Ruiz, an experienced Spanish tutor.