Classroom – French

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 French Articles

Articles are small words that you use only with nouns. They both present a noun and indicate the gender and number of a noun. French has definite, indefinite, and partitive articles. The following sections describe these three types of articles and identifies when and how you should use them in your French writing and speech. Definite articles indicate that the noun they’re presenting is specific. In English, the definite article is the. French has three different definite articles, which tell you that the noun is masculine, feminine, or plural. If the noun is singular, the article is le (for masculine nouns) or la (for feminine nouns). If the noun is plural, the article is les no matter what gender the noun is. If a singular noun begins with a vowel or mute h, the definite article le or la contracts to l’, as in l’ami (the friend) and l’homme (the man).

Indefinite articles refer to an unspecific noun. The English indefinite articles are a and an. French has three indefinite articles — un (for masculine nouns),une (for feminine nouns), and des (for masculine or feminine plural nouns). Which one you use depends on the noun’s gender and number. You use the indefinite article in basically the same way in French and English — to refer to an unspecific noun, as in J’ai acheté une voiture (I bought a car) or Je veux voir un film (I want to see a movie). Note that un and une can also mean one: J’ai un frère (I have one brother). Des is the plural indefinite article, which you use for two or more masculine and/or feminine nouns: J’ai des idées (I have some ideas). When you make a sentence with an indefinite article negative, the article changes to de, meaning (not) any.
  • J’ai des questions. (I have some questions.)
  • Je n’ai pas de questions. (I don’t have any questions.)

Partitive articles

Partitive articles are used with things that you take only part of. They don’t exist in English, so the best translation is the word some. There are, once again, three partitive articles, depending on whether the noun is masculine (du), feminine (de la), or plural (des). You use the partitive article with food, drink, and other uncountable things that you take or use only a part of, like air and money, as well as abstract things, such as intelligence and patience. If you do eat or use all of something, and if it is countable, then you need the definite or indefinite article. Compare the following:
  • Je veux du gâteau. (I want some cake — just a piece or two.)
  • Je veux le gâteau. (I want the cake — the whole one.)
  • Je veux un gâteau. (I want a cake — for my birthday party.)
When a singular noun begins with a vowel or mute h, the partitive article du or de la contracts to de l’, as in de l’eau (some water) and de l’hélium (some helium). Partitive Articles Use the partitive article to expresses that you want part of a whole (some or any), to ask for an indefinite quantity (something that is not being counted). Before a noun, the partitive is generally expressed by de + the definite article. Note that de + le contract to become du and de + les contract to become des, as shown in Table 1. Note the following about the use of the partitive article: Although the partitive some or any may be omitted in English, it may not be omitted in French and must be repeated before each noun. Il prend des cèrèales et du lait. (He’s having cereal and milk.) In a negative sentence, the partitive some or any is expressed by de or d’ without the article. Je ne mange jamais de fruits. (I never eat any fruits.) Je n’ai pas d’amis. (I don’t have any friends.) Before a singular adjective preceding a singular noun, the partitive is expressed with or without the article. C’est de (du) bon gâteau. (That’s good cake.) Before a plural adjective preceding a plural noun, the partitive is expressed by de alone. Ce sont de bons èlèves. (They are good students.) Certain nouns and adverbs of quantity are followed by the partitive article de ( d’ before a vowel). The following nouns and adverbs of quantity are followed by de + definite article: la plupart (most) bien (a good many) la majoritè (the majority) la plus grande partie (the majority) La plupart des gens aiment ce film. (Most people like this movie.) The adjectives plusieurs (several) and quelques (some) modify the noun directly. J’adore plusieurs lègumes. (I like several vegetables.) Il achète quelques livres. (He is buying some books.) The partitive is not used with sans (without) and ne … ni … ni (neither … nor). Elle prendra du thè sans citron. (She’ll take tea without lemon.) Il ne boit ni cafè ni thè. (He doesn’t drink coffee or tea.)

Subject Pronouns

pronoun is a word that is used to replace a noun (a person, place, thing, idea, or quality). Pronouns allow for fluidity by eliminating the need to constantly repeat the same noun in a sentence. A subject pronoun replaces a subject noun(the noun performing the action of the verb). Je Unlike the English pronoun “I,” the pronoun je is capitalized only when it begins a sentence. Je becomes j’ before a vowel or vowel sound ( y and unaspiratedh — meaning that no puff of air is emitted when producing the h sound):
  • J’adore le français. (I love French.)
  • Voilà où j’habite. (There’s where I live.)
Tu Tu is used to address one friend, relative, child, or pet and is referred to as the familiar form of “you.” The u from tu is never dropped for purposes of elision: Tu es mon meilleur ami. (You are my best friend.) Vous Vous is used in the singular to show respect to an older person or when speaking to a stranger or someone you do not know very well.Vous is the polite or formal form of “you:” Vous êtes un patron très respecté. (You are a very respected boss.) In addition, vous is always used when speaking to more than one person, regardless of the degree of familiarity. Il and elle Il (he) and elle (she) may refer to a person or to a thing (it):
  • L’homme arrive. (The man arrives.) Il arrive. (He arrives.)
  • Le colis arrive. (The package arrives.) Il arrive. (It arrives.)
  • La dame arrive. (The lady arrives.) Elle arrive. (She arrives.)
  • La lettre arrive. (The letter arrives.) Elle arrive. (It arrives.)
On On refers to an indefinite person: you, we, they, or people in general.On is often used in place of nous, such as in the following: on part(we’re leaving). Ils and elles Ils refers to more than one male or to a combined group of males and females, despite the number of each gender present. Elles refers only to a group of females.
  • Anne et Luc partent. (Ann and Luke leave.) Ils partent. (They leave.)
  • Anne et Marie partent. (Ann and Marie leave.) Elles partent. (They leave.)
Ce The pronoun ce (it, he, she, this, that, these, those), spelled c’ before a vowel, is most frequently used with the verb être (to be): c’est (it is) orce sont (they are). Ce replaces ilelleils, and elles as the subject of the sentence in the following constructions:
  • Before a modified noun:C’est un bon avocat. (He’s a good lawyer.)
But, when unmodified, the following is correct: Il est avocat. (He’s a lawyer.)
  • Before a name:C’est Jean. (It’s John.)
  • Before a pronoun:C’est moi. (It is me.)
  • Before a superlative:C’est le plus grand. (It’s the biggest.)
  • In dates:C’est le dix mars.(It’s March 10th.)
  • Before a masculine singular adjective that refers to a previously mentioned idea or action:Il est important. (He is important.) C’est évident. (That’s obvious).
  • Before an adjective + à + infinitive (the form of any verb before it is conjugated): C’est bon à savoir. (That’s good to know.)
Use il in the following constructions:
  • To express the hour of the day:Il est deux heures. (It’s 2 o’clock.)
  • With an adjective + de + infinitive:Il est bon de manger. (It’s good to eat.)
  • With an adjective before queIl est important que je travaille. (It is important that I work.)

Using Object Pronouns

Object pronouns are used so that an object noun doesn’t have to be continuously repeated. This allows for a more free‐flowing conversational tone. When using object pronouns, make sure your conjugated verb agrees with the subject and not the object pronoun. Table 1 lists direct and indirect object pronouns. The forms me, te, se, nous, and vous are both direct, indirect object, and reflexive pronouns.

Direct object pronouns

Direct objects (which can be nouns or pronouns) answer the question as to whom or what the subject is acting upon. It may refer to people, places, things, or ideas. A direct object pronoun replaces a direct object noun and, unlike in English, is usually placed before the conjugated verb.
  • Tu regardes le film. (You watch the movie.): Tu le regardes. (You watch it.)
  • Je t’aime. (I love you.)
  • Tu m’aimes. (You love me.)

Indirect object pronouns

Indirect objects (which can be nouns or pronouns) answer the question of to or for whom the subject is doing something. They refer only to people. An indirect object pronoun replaces an indirect object noun, and, unlike in English, is usually placed before the conjugated verb. As a clue, look for the preposition à (to, for), which may be in the form of au (the contraction of à + le, à l’, à la, or aux (the contraction of à + les), followed by the name or reference to a person.
  • Elle écrit à Jean. (She writes to John.): Elle lui écrit. (She writes to him.)
  • Tu m’offres un sac à main. (You offer me a purse.)
  • Je t’offre un sac à main. (I offer you a purse.)
Verbs that take an indirect object in English do not necessarily take an indirect object in French. The following verbs take a direct object in French:
  • attendre (to wait for)
  • chercher (to look for)
  • écouter (to listen to)
  • espérer (to hope for/to)
  • faire venir (to call for)
  • payer (to pay)
Verbs that take a direct object in English do not necessarily take a direct object in French. The following verbs take an indirect object in French because they are followed by à:
  • convenir à (to suit)
  • désobéir à (to disobey)
  • faire honte à (to shame)
  • faire mal à (to hurt)
  • faire peur à (to frighten)
  • obéir à (to obey)
  • plaire à (to please)
  • répondre à (to answer)
  • ressembler à (to resemble)
  • téléphoner à (to call)
The expression penser à (to think about) is followed by a stress pronoun; for example, Je pense à lui/elle. (I think about him/her). The following verbs require an indirect object because they are followed by à. Note the correct preposition to use before the infinitive of the verb.
  • apprendre (teach) à quelqu’un à + infinitive
  • enseigner (teach) à quelqu’un à + infinitive
  • conseiller (advise) à quelqu’un de + infinitive
  • défendre (forbid) à quelqu’un de + infinitive
  • demander (ask) à quelqu’un de + infinitive
  • ordonner (order) à quelqu’un de + infinitive
  • pardonner (forgive) à quelqu’un de + infinitive
  • permettre (permit) à quelqu’un de + infinitive
  • promettre (promise) à quelqu’un de + infinitive
  • rappeler (remind) à quelqu’un de + infinitive
  • reprocher (reproach) à quelqu’un de + infinitive
With the French verbs plaire (to please), falloir (to be necessary), and manquer (to miss), the French indirect object is the subject in the English sentence:
  • Ce cadeau me plaît. (I like this gift. This gift is pleasing to me.)
  • Il me faut un stylo. (I need a pen. A pen is necessary for me.)
  • Tu me manques. (I miss you. I am missing to you.)
The adverbial pronoun (y) The adverbial pronoun y (pronounced ee) means “there” when the place has already been mentioned. Y can also mean “it,” “them,” “in it/them,” “to it/them,” or “on it/them.” Y usually replaces the preposition à + the noun object of the preposition, but it may also replace other prepositions of location or position, such as chez (at the house/business of) , dans (in) , en (in), sous (under), or sur (on) + noun:
  • Je vais à Paris. (I’m going to Paris.) J’y vais. (I’m going there.)
  • Il répond à la note. (He answers the note.) Il y répond. (He answers it.)
  • Tu restes dans ton lit. (You stay in the hotel.) Tu y restes. (You stay in it.)
Y is used to replace de + noun only when de is part of a prepositional phrase showing location: L’hôtel est près de l’aéroport. (The hotel is near the airport.) L’hôtel y est. (The hotel is there.) Never use y to replace à + a person. Indirect object pronouns are used for this purpose: Je parle à Luc. (I speak to Luke.) Je lui parle. (I speak to him.) Sometimes y is used in French but is not translated into English: Il va au cinéma? (Is he going to the movies?) Oui, il y va. (Yes, he is.) The adverbial pronoun (en) The pronoun en refers to previously mentioned things or places. Enusually replaces de + noun and may mean some or any, of it/them, about it/them, from it/them, or from there:
  • Je veux de la glace. (I want some ice cream.) J’en veux. (I want some [of it]).
  • Tu ne bois pas de lait. (You don’t drink any milk.) Tu n’en bois pas. (You don’t drink any.)
  • Il parle de l’examen. (He speaks about the test.) Il en parle. (He speaks about it.)
  • Vous sortez du café. (You leave the cafe.) Vous en sortez. (You leave [from] it.)
En is always expressed in French even though it may have no Engish equivalent or is not expressed in English: Astu du temps? (Do you have any time?) Oui, j’en ai. (Yes, I do.) Note the following rules governing the use of en:
  • En is used with idiomatic expressions requiringde.
    • J’ai besoin de film. (I need film.) J’en ai besoin. (I need some.)
  • Enis used to replace a noun (de + noun) after a number or a noun or adverb of quantity.
    • Je prépare six gâteaux. (I’m preparing six cakes.) J’en prépare six. (I’m preparing six [of them].)
    • Tu bois une tasse de thé. (You drink a cup of tea.) Tu en bois. (You drink a cup [of it].)
  • Enonly refers to people when de means some. In all other cases (when de + a noun mean “of” or “about” a person), a stress pronoun is used.
    • I have a lot of sons. (J’ai beaucoup de fils.) I have a lot of them. (J’en ai beaucoup.)
The position of object pronouns An object pronoun is placed before the verb to which its meaning is tied, usually before the conjugated verb. When a sentence contains two verbs, the object pronoun is placed before the infinitive:
  • Je le demande. (I ask for it.) Je ne le demande pas. (I don’t ask for it.)
  • Il va en boire. (He is going to drink some of it.) Il ne va pas en boire. (He isn’t going to drink some of it.)
In an affirmative command, an object pronoun is placed immediately after the verb and is joined to it by a hyphen. The familiar command forms of ‐ er verbs (regular and irregular — retain their final s before y and en to prevent the clash of two vowel sounds together. Put a liaison (linking) between the final consonant and y or enRestesy!(Stay there!) But: N’y reste pas! (Don’t stay there!) In compound tenses, the object pronoun is placed before the conjugated helping verb: J’ai parlé à Nancy. (I spoke to Nancy.) Je lui ai parlé. (I spoke to her.)

Double object pronouns

The term double object pronouns refers to using more than one pronoun in a sentence at a time, as follows: The following examples show how double object pronouns are used before the conjugated verb, before the infinitive when there are two verbs, in the past tense, and in a negative command. Note the different order of the pronouns in the affirmative command:
  • Before the conjugated verb:Elle me la donne. (She gives it to me.)
  • Before the infinitive with two verbs:Vastu m’en offrir? (Are you going to offer me any?)
  • In the past tense:Tu le lui as écrit. (You wrote it to her.)
  • In a negative command:Ne me le montrez pas. (Don’t show it to me.)
But note the difference in an affirmative command: Montrezlemoi, s’il vous plaît. (Please show it to me.) In an affirmative command, m oi + en and toi + en become m’en andt’en respectively:
  • Donnem’en, s’il te plaît. (Please give me some.)
  • Va t’en. (Go away.)

Independent (Stress) Pronouns

Independent pronouns, listed in Table 1, may stand alone or follow a verb or a preposition. They are used to emphasize a fact and to highlight or replace nouns or pronouns. Independent pronouns are used as follows: To stress the subject: Moi, je suis vraiment indépendant. (Me, I’m really independent.) When the pronoun has no verb:Qui veut partir? (Who wants to leave?) Moi. (Me.) After prepositions to refer to a person or persons: Allons chez elle. (Let’s go to her house.) After c’estC’est moi qui pars. (I’m leaving.) After the following verbs:
  • avoir affaire à (to have dealings with)
  • être à (to belong to)
  • faire attention à (to pay attention to)
  • penser à (to think about [of)])
  • se fier à (to trust)
  • s’intéresser à (to be interested in)
  • Ceci est à moi. (This belongs to me.)
In compound subjects:
  • Lui et moi allons au restaurant. (He and I are going to the restaurant.)
  • Sylvie et toi dînez chez Marie. (Sylvia and you are dining at Marie’s.)
If moi is one of the stress pronouns in a compound subject, the subject pronoun nous is used in summary (someone + me = we) and the conjugated verb must agree with nous. If toi is one of the stress pronouns in a compound subject, the subject prounoun vous is used in summary (someone + you [singular] = you [plural]) and the conjugated verb must agree with the vous. Neither nous nor vous has to appear in the sentence. With  même(s) to reinforce the subject: Je suis allé au concert moimême. (I went to the concert by myself.)

Relative Pronouns

relative pronoun (“who,” “which,” or “that”) joins a main clause to a dependent clause. This pronoun introduces the dependent clause that describes someone or something mentioned in the main clause. The person or thing the pronoun refers to is called the antecedent. A relative clause may serve as a subject, a direct object, or an object of a preposition. Qui (subject) and que (direct object) Qui (“who,” “which,” “that”) is the subject of a relative clause (which means that it will be followed by a verb in the dependent clause). Qui may refer to people, things, or places and follows the format antecedent + subject + verbC’estla femmequia gagné. (She’s the woman who won.) The verb of a relative clause introduced by qui is conjugated to agree with its antecedent: C’est moi qui choisis les bons cafés. (I am the one who chooses the good cafés.) Que (“whom,” “which,” or “that”) is the direct object of a relative clause (which means that it will be followed by a noun or pronoun). Although frequently omitted in English, the relative pronoun is always expressed in French. Que may refer to people or things and follows the format antecedent + direct object + pronounC’est l’homme que j’ adore. (He’s the man [that] I love.) Qui and lequel (objects of a preposition) Qui (meaning “whom”) is used as the object of a preposition referring to a person.
  • Anne est la femme avec qui je travaille. (Anne is the woman with whom I am working.)
Lequel, laquelle, lesquels, lesquelles (“which” or “whom”) are used as the object of a preposition referring primarily to things. The form of lequel must agree with the antecedent. Select the proper form of lequel after consulting Table 1, for example, Voilà la piscine dans laquelle je nage. (There is the pool in which I swim.) Lequel and its forms contract with the prepositions à and de, as shown in Table 2: Some examples include the following:
  • Ce sont les hommes auxquels elle pense. (Those are the men she is thinking about.)
  • C’est la classe de laquelle je parlais. (That’s the class I was talking about.)
Ce qui and ce que The relative pronouns ce qui and ce que are used when no antecedent noun or pronoun is present:
  • Ce quimeans “what” or “that which” and is the subject of a verb: Je me demande ce qui se passe. (I wonder what is happening.)
  • Ce que means “what” (that which) and is the object of a verb: Tu sais ce que ça veut dire. (You know what that means.)

How to Conjugate ER Verbs in French

One thing English speakers who are learning French struggle with is learning how to conjugate all the different verbs. Most French verbs typically end in -er, -re, or -ir. The biggest group is verbs that end in -er. Verbs that fall into this group that follow the same conjugation pattern are called regular -er verbs. Once you know how to conjugate one regular -er verb, you know how to conjugate all regular -er verbs! Let’s take a look at the process.

Steps to Follow Conjugating Regular ER Verbs in the Present Tense

To conjugate any regular -er verb in the present tense, you will follow the steps outlined below. 1.) Take the infinitive form of the verb, and drop the -er off the end of the verb to get the verb stem. (For example, take the infinitive form of the verb parler, and remove the -er. You are left with the verb stemparl-.) 2.) Determine the subject pronoun you are conjugating the verb with, and add the appropriate ending from the chart below.
Subject Pronoun Ending
Je -e
Tu -es
Il/Elle/On -e
Nous -ons
Vous -ez
Ils/Elles -ent

Practice Conjugating

Let’s now practice this conjugation pattern with some common regular -er verbs in French.
Parler (to speak) Donner (to give) Aimer (to like)
Je parle (pahrle) Je donne (done) J’aime* (ehm)
Tu parles (pahrle) Tu donnes (done) Tu aimes (ehm)
Il/Elle/On parle (pahrle) Il/Elle/On donne (done) Il/Elle/On aime (ehm)
Nous parlons (pahrl-ohn) Nous donnons (done-ohn) Nous aimons (ehm-ohn)
Vous parlez (pahrl-ay) Vous donnez (done-ay) Vous aimez (ehm-ay)
Ils/Elles parlent (pahrle) Ils/Elles donnent (done) Ils/Elles aiment (ehm)

How to Conjugate IR Verbs in French

Verbs and Conjugation

In French, verbs have a set of endings. We call this a conjugation. A verb like choisir (pronounced: shwah-zeer), meaning ‘to choose,’ is called an -IR verb. To conjugate the verb, we chop off the -IR at the end of the word and put on the correct ending. The ending for the verb corresponds to who is doing the verb. The person (or thing) doing the verb is called thesubject. In French, subjects are:
  • je (pronounced: zhuh), meaning ‘I’
  • tu (pronounced: tooh), meaning ‘you’ (singular, informal)
  • il, elle (pronounced: eel, el), meaning ‘he’ or ‘she’
  • nous (pronounced: nooh), meaning ‘we’
  • vous (pronounced: vooh), meaning ‘you’ (plural, formal)
  • ils, elles (pronounced: eel, el), meaning ‘they’

-IR Verb Endings

This chart shows the endings for -IR verbs in French:
je _____ -is nous _____-issons
tu _____ -is vous _____-issez
il / elle _____ -it ils / elles _____-issent
To say ‘I choose,’ we use the verb chosir (meaning ‘to choose’) but take off the -ir. This leaves us with chois-. This first part of the verb, without an ending, is called the stem. We add an ending to the stem. For je (meaning ‘I’), the ending is -is. So ‘I choose’ is je choisis (pronounced: zhuh shwah-zee).

Pronunciation

The endings for je, tu, il and elle all sound like ‘ee.’
French Pronunciation
je choisis zhuh shwah-zee
tu choisis tyooh shwah-zee
il / elle choisit eel / el shwah-zee
Notice that the il and elle forms end with -it, while the je and tu forms end with -is. The written forms are different, but the pronunciation is exactly the same! The plural forms–we, you (all), they–sound slightly different. The ending -issons sounds like ‘ee-ssahn,’ -issezsounds like ‘ee-say’, and -issent sounds like ‘eess.’
French Pronunciation
nous choisissons nooh shwah-zee-ssahn
vous choisissez vooh shwah-zee-say
ils / elles choisissent eel / el shwah-zeess

Common -IR Verbs

French Pronunciation Meaning
Finir fee-neer to finish
Grandir grahn-deer to grow up
Réussir ray-ooh-seer to succeed
Réfléchir ray-flay-sheer to think about; to reflect
Maigrir may-greer to lose weight
Grossir groh-seer to gain weight

Finir

Let’s take the verb finir as an example. Imagine that Pierre wants to play video games. His mom says OK, but first ‘you finish the homework’–tu finis les devoirs (pronounced: tooh fee-nee lay dehv-wahr). Pierre’s a good student. He reminds his mom, ‘I always finish homework’–je finis toujours les devoirs(pronounced: zhuh fee-nee tooh-zhor lay dehv-war). Pierre’s brother Richard pipes up, ‘We always finish homework!’–nous finissons toujours les devoirs (pronounced: nooh fee-nee-sahn tooh-zhor lay dehv-wahr). Mom thinks, ‘That’s true, they always finish homework,’–ils finissent toujours les devoirs (pronounced: eel fee-neess tooh-zhor lay dehv-wahr).

How to Conjugate RE Verbs in French

In French, verbs have sets of endings. This lesson introduces you to the endings for verbs that end in -RE. You will learn several -RE verbs, such as ‘vendre’ (to sell), ‘perdre’ (to lose), and ‘attendre’ (to wait.)

Subjects And Verbs

In French, verbs have different endings for each subject (like ‘I’, ‘you,’ ‘we,’ etc). Let’s review some subject pronouns:
  • je (pronounced: zhuh), meaning ‘I’
  • tu (pronounced: tooh), meaning ‘you’ (singular)
  • il / elle (pronounced: eel / el), meaning ‘he / she’
  • nous (pronounced: nooh), meaning ‘we’
  • vous (pronounced: vooh), meaning ‘you’ (plural or formal)
  • ils / elles (pronounced: eel / el), meaning ‘they’

Conjugation

The pattern of endings for a verb is called a conjugation. A verb like vendre (pronounced: vahn-druh), meaning ‘to sell,’ is called an -RE verb. To conjugate the verb, we chop off the -RE at the end of the word. This leaves us with the stem (the beginning part of the word). We then put on the correct ending. For vendre, the stem isvend-. Let’s take a look at the for -RE endings for conjugation patterns:
Conjugation Pattern -RE verbs
je _____ -s nous _____ -ons
tu _____ -s vous _____ -ez
il, elle _____ ils, elles _____ -ent
You’ll notice that the je and tu forms are exactly the same. They both end with s–however, the s is silent. The il /elle form is unusual, because there is no extra ending.

Pronunciation

Let’s look at the verb rendre, which means ‘to turn in’ (for example, to turn in homework).
  • je rends (pronounced: zhuh rahn), meaning ‘I turn in’
  • tu rends (pronounced: tooh rahn), meaning ‘you turn in’ (singular ‘you’)
  • il / elle rend (pronounced: eel / el rahn), meaning ‘he / she turns in’
  • nous rendons (pronounced: nooh rahn-dahn), meaning ‘we turn in’
  • vous rendez (pronounced: vooh rahn-day), meaning ‘you turn in’ (plural or formal ‘you’)
  • ils / elles rendent (pronounced: eel / el rahnd), meaning ‘they turn in’

Notes About Pronunciation

Let’s look at details regarding pronunciation for these conjugation patterns:

Singular: je, tu, il, elle

The je, tu, and il / elle forms all have the exact same pronunciation. Notice that the il / elle form of the verb does not have an s at the end.

Plural: nous, vous, ils, elles

Most final consonants in French are silent. For the nous form, the ending is -ons, with the s being silent. For thevous form, the -ez ending is pronounced ay. For the ils / elles form, the -ent ending is silent.

Vendre (To Sell)

Imagine that your French friend, Sandra, needs money. She might tell you Je vends la voiture (pronounced: zhuh vahn lah vwah-tuhr), meaning ‘I’m selling my car.’ Her kids, Pierre and Jacques, want to help by selling their toys, or les jouets (pronounced: lay zhooh-ay). The tell you Nous vendons les jouets. Later, you tell you neighbor what’s going on–elle vend la voiture (pronounced: ell vahn lah vwah-tuhr) and ils vendent les jouets (eel vahnd lay zhooh-ay). Notice that when Sandra says je vends or when you say elle vend, we don’t hear the ‘d’ sound. (The s in je vendsis also silent). But when we say ils vendent or elles vendent, we DO make a d sound at the end of the word. The -ent’ is silent–but because it’s there, we pronounce that d.

Perdre (To Lose)

We saw that rendre means ‘to turn in.’ This is what students do with homework, or les devoirs (pronounced: lay dehv-wahr.) Unfortunately, students sometimes also lose their homework! Perdre means ‘to lose.’ Imagine a group of friends who have different homework habits:
  • Pierre: Je rends les devoirs. (pronounced: zhuh rahn lay dehv-wahr)
  • Albert : Je perds les devoirs. (pronounced: zhuh pehr lay dehv-wahr)
  • Pierre et Marie : Nous rendons les devoirs. (pronounced: nooh rahn-don lay dehv-wahr)
  • Albert et Jacques : Nous perdons les devoirs. (pronounced: nooh pehr-don lay dehv-wahr)

Être Meaning

In almost every conversation you will need the French verb être. Être (pronounced: ay-tr, with a soft ‘r’ at the end) is used to indicate how things are. Literally meaning ‘to be’ être can be conjugated with the various French pronouns, paired with adjectives or used in numerous idiomatic expressions.

Conjugation

Each French pronoun requires a different conjugation of the verb être. This table shows you a pronoun, the correct conjugation of être, the English meaning of the conjugation, and the conjugation pronunciation.
Subject Pronoun Être Conjugation Pronunciation English Meaning
je (I) suis (am) swee I am
tu (you) es (are) ay You are
il (he) est (is) ay He is
elle (she) est (is) ay She is
nous (we) sommes (are) sohm We are
vous (you) êtes(are) eht You are (formal) or You all are
ils (they) sont (are) sohn They are
elles (they) sont (are) sohn They are (feminine)

Conjugation Examples

Imagine you are talking about the nationalities of your friends and yourself. Study the above chart and following sentences and note how the verb être is conjugated and used with adjectives. In this case the adjective is the nationality American. Je suis Américain. I am American. Et toi? And you? Tu es américain? Are you American? Paul est Américain. Paul is American. Nous sommes Américains. We are Americans. Vous êtes Américains? Are you all Americans? Ils sont Américains. They are Americans. Julie et Diane, elles sont Américains aussi. Julie and Diane, they are Americans too.

Aller Conjugation

Why is faire an important verb?
The verb faire (pronounced like the English word fair but with the French /r/ sound) is a great verb to have in your back pocket because it’s definitely a multi-tasker. Some interesting facts about this verb are: 1) most weather expressions in French use faire, for example to talk about what the weather is doing 2) many individual sports and activities use this verb, for example to express that you do a certain sport 3) used in math equations to mean equals in English 4) used in causative constructions where you have had something done to a person or thing, for example having your dog groomed 5) Numbers 1 and 2 on this list are the most important usages for beginners. It’s also used in many, many other expressions in French. Trust us, this is a high-frequency verb!
How to use it in sentences: the conjugations
The verb faire is considered to be an irregular verb, meaning that the conjugations used in order to create a subject-verb agreement do not follow typical patterns. So, break out the flash cards and commit this one to memory. The following examples of conjugations express how to use the verb to talk about activities and sports. Singular Forms: Je fais (fay) du sport = I do sports Fais-tu du yoga? = Do you do yoga? Il/Elle fait (fay) du ski nautique = He/She does/goes skiing Plural Forms: Nous faisons (fuh zahn) de la danse = We do dance Faites(fet)-vous du camping? = Do you do/go camping? Ils/Elles font (fohn) une promenade = They go for a walk Remember, many individual sports – ones that don’t require a team to play – as well as activities take this verb, and it can also translate into English as go instead of make or do.

Savoir Conjugation

Knowing how to say you know something or telling a friend, ‘I don’t know’ is pretty important in conversation, even French conversations. But to do that, first you have to learn how to conjugate the verb savior(pronounced: sah-vwahr), to know.
Subject Pronoun Savoir Conjugation Pronunciation English Meaning
je (I) sais (say) I know
tu (you) sais (say) you know (singular)
il/elle (he/she) sait (say) he/she knows
nous (we) savons (sah-vahn) we know
vous (you) savez (sah-vay) you know (plural)
ils/elles (they) savent (sahv) they know
Now that we’ve got that down, let’s look at the different ways that savior is used in conversations.

To Know How

To express that someone knows how to do something, we use a form of the verb savoir plus a second verb. Let’s look at some examples using savoir plus the verb nager (pronounced: nah-zhay) to swim: Imagine that your French friend, Ariane, has come to visit. You want to go swimming, so you ask her, ‘Tu sais nager?’ meaning, ‘Do you know how to swim?’. She would answer ‘Je sais nager’ meaning ‘I know how to swim.’ Then, your friends Frank and Elizabeth arrive. You ask them ‘Vous savez nager?’ meaning ‘Do you (guys) know how to swim?’ They answer, ‘Nous savons nager’ meaning ‘We know how to swim.’ Notice how the sentences use different forms of the verb savoir, but the word nager never changes. Let’s look at some more examples:
  • Je sais conduire (pronounced: zhuh say kon-dweer), meaning ‘I know how to drive.’
  • Elle sait conduire (pronounced: el say kon-dweer), meaning ‘She knows how to drive.’
  • Il sait danser (pronounced: eel say dahn-say), meaning ‘He knows how to dance.’
  • Ils savent danser (pronounced: eel sahv dahn-say), meaning ‘They know how to dance.’

Vouloir Conjugation

Vouloir: To Want

Imagine that you get to spend a few weeks visiting France. What do you want to do? What do you want to eat? To express what you want, say je veux (pronounced: zhuh veuh), which means ‘I want.’ Whether you stay in a hotel or with French hosts, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to discuss what you want. For example, you might say: je veux visiter le Louvre (pronounced: zhuh veuh vee-see-tay luh loov-ruh). Perhaps your main goal is to learn French. You can explain that: je veux apprendre le français (pronounced: zhuh veuh ah-prahn-druh luh frahn-say).

Conjugating Vouloir

In English, we say ‘I want’ and ‘he wants.’ The verb is ‘want,’ but its form changes slightly depending on who is speaking. In French, verbs have different endings. Putting the right endings on a verb is called conjugating the verb. Notice the endings for the verb vouloir:
VOULOIR (pronounced: vooh-lwahr) to want
je veux (zhuh veuh) nous voulons (nooh vooh-lahn)
I want we want
tu veux (tyooh veuh) vous voulez (vooh vooh-lay)
you want (singular) you want (plural)
il / elle veut (eel / el veuh) ils / elles veulent (eel / el vuhl)
he / she wants they want

Pronunciation Hints

Notice that the verb endings for je, tu, il and elle are all pronounced the same. The verb ending is the same for the je and tu forms. For il / elle , the ending changes. When you’re speaking, you can’t hear a difference. Another thing to keep in mind is that the je, tu, il / elle, and ils / elles forms all start with veu. This letter blend sounds like ‘euh.’ To pronounce it correctly, think about making the sound down in your throat, at the spot where you swallow. On the other hand, vouloir as well as voulons and voulez all begin with the sound vou. This letter blend rhymes with ‘ooh’ — as in Ooh là là! This sound is formed with your lips. Pucker up like you’re going to give someone a big kiss to make the ooh sound for French words like vouloir, voulons, voulez as well as vous and nous.

Examples With Vouloir

Imagine that two friends, Paul and Robert, are traveling together in France. As they discuss traveling from Paris to the city of Avignon, they might debate whether to prendre le train (pronounced: prahn-druh luh trahn) orlouer une voiture (pronounced: looh-ay oohn vwah-tyuhr). Paul might ask Robert: Tu veux louer une voiture? Robert might reply, Non, je veux prendre le train. Paul and Robert are staying with their friend Nathalie in Paris. They tell her about their plan: Nous voulons prendre le train. Nathalie might ask them, ‘Do you want to leave tomorrow?’ She would say Voulez-vous partir demain? (pronounced: vooh-lay vooh pahr-teer duh-mahn).

Feminine Adjectives in French

Let’s get personal. Do you have a girlfriend? How would you describe her to someone? Is she pretty? Is she short or tall? Or we could talk about your grandmother. Would you say she is funny? Is she strong or frail? In French, since these people are feminine, when you describe them, the adjectives must also be feminine! Did you know that in French, objects can also be feminine? For example, in French, cars are feminine! The word for car, la voiture, is a feminine word! So, now how would you describe your car? Is it fancy? Expensive? What color is it? All of these adjectives must be feminine when you are describing your car.

Examples of Adjectives

Add an ‘e’ at the end of most adjectives to create the feminine form. Some examples of masculine and feminine forms are:
  • grandgrande (tall) – pronounced (grahn) and (grahnduh) with nasal ‘n’ sound
  • jolijolie (pretty) – pronounced (zhoh-lee)
  • bleubleue (blue) – pronounced (bluh)
  • fortforte (strong) – pronounced (fohr) and (fohrtuh)
  • marrantmarrante (funny) pronounced (marrahn) and (marrahn-tuh) with nasal ‘n’ sound
  • fâchéfâchée (angry) pronounced (fah-shay)
When pronouncing these, we do not say the last consonant in the masculine form. When the feminine ‘e’ is added, we hear the last consonant. For example:fort is pronounced like (for), but forte is pronounced similar to (fort) in English. Some adjectives have a slight change in the last consonant before adding the feminine ‘e.’ For example, some adjectives ending in f go from f to ve.
  • sportifsportive (athletic) Pronounced- (sporteef) and (sporteev)
  • créatifcréative (creative) Pronounced- (cray-ah-teef) and (cray-ah-teev)
Pronounce the’ ‘f or the ‘v’ as it is written. Some adjectives double the last consonant before adding the feminine ‘e.’ For example:
  • mignonmignonne (cute) – pronounced (meenyohn) with nasal ‘n,’ and (meenyunn)
  • bonbonne (good) – pronounced (boh-n) with nasal ‘n,’ and (bun)
  • gentilgentille (kind) – pronounced (zhahn-tee) and (zhahn-teeyuh) with nasal ‘n’
The double consonants are pronounced in the feminine form, but usually the single consonants in the masculine form are pronounced nasally or not at all. For instance, pronounce ‘bon’ like the word (bone) but with a nasal ‘n’ sound and ‘bonne’ similar to (buhnn).

Describing Your Car in French

Let’s try some sentences to describe your car!
  • Ma voiture est bleue. (My car is blue.) Pronounced- (mah vwa-teeoor ay bluh)
  • Elle est petite. (It is small.) Pronounced- (el ay puhteetuh).
How about your grandmother? Let’s try describing her:
  • (My grandmother is funny, but my grandfather is also funny.)Ma grand-mère est marrante, mais mon grand-père est aussi marrant.
Pronounced-(mah gran-mayr ay marrantuh may mohn granpayr ay oh-see marran) Notice that the grandfather has the masculine adjective form, and the grandmother has the feminine form of the adjective.

French Possessive Adjectives

French Adjective Agreement: Rules & Practice

French Adjectives: Placement & Examples

Describing People and Things

Sam and Liz are Americans living abroad in Angers, France, and they really want to be able to talk to their neighbors, describe their new neighbors, and talk about what goes on around them without being confusing. There are certain things Sam and Liz will need to remember about words that describe a noun or pronoun, oradjectives, to reach their goal. This includes understanding which adjectives do and don’t conform to normal placement principles.

Normal Placement

The normal or most common placement of adjectives in a French sentence is right behind the word it describes. For example: J’ai un vélo ‘bleu.‘ (I have a blue bike). Elles aiment la langue ‘anglaise.‘ (They like the English language.) Nous sommes vos voisins ‘américains.‘ (We are your American neighbors.) C’est un homme ‘sympa.‘ (He’s a nice man.) Nous avons des voisins ‘sincères.‘ (We have sincere neighbors.) This order is quite different from English as you can see in the translations, and Sam and Liz are going to have to make an extra effort to get this right if they want their French-speaking neighbors to understand them.

BANGS Adjectives

B – BeautyBANGS is an acronym that Sam and Liz can use to remember which adjectives don’t follow the rules. These are describing words that normally come before the noun (there are always exceptions). It stands for:
A – Age
N – Number
G – Goodness
S – Size
Examples of adjectives that fall in each category are as follows:
Beauty beau/belle/beaux/belles joli/jolie/jolis/jolies
Age jeune/jeunes viel/vieux/vieille/vieilles
Number un/deux/trois/quatre/cinq
Goodness bon/bonne/bons/bonnes mauvais/mauvaise/mauvaises
Size grand/grande/grands/grandes petit/petite/petits/petites
Knowing this information, Sam and Liz are able to tell and ask their new neighbor, Monsieur LeClerc, lots of important things: Sam: Vous avez une ‘belle’ voiture! (You have a nice car!) Liz: Est-ce que c’est un ‘bon’ restaurant au coin? (Is the restaurant on the corner good?) M LeClerc: C’est un ‘petit’ restaurant, mais il est bon. (It’s a small restaurant, but it is good.) Sam: Nous avons ‘deux’ chiens. Et vous, vous avez des animaux? (We have two dogs, and do you have any animals?)

Special Adjectives

There are also some special adjectives that don’t follow the normal positioning or BANGS. Sam and Liz have to be really careful with this group of adjectives because this group can be used before or after the nouns they describe, but the meaning changes depending on where they are placed. Here are a few of these used to help out Sam and Liz in their new neighborhood: 1. ancien (old/former)
  • Before a noun: C’est mon ancien voisin. (This is my former neighbor.)
  • After a noun: C’est mon voisin ancien. (This is my ancient neighbor.)
2. cher (dear/expensive)
  • Before a noun: Cher Sam, je t’aime. (Dear Sam, I love you.)
  • After a noun: Cette voiture est chère. (This car is expensive.)

French Adverbials of Frequency

French Adverbs: Definition

While adjectives add information about nouns, adverbs are used to add meaning to a verb, an adjective, another adverb or a whole sentence. Contrary to French adjectives that agree in gender and number with the noun they relate to, French adverbs are invariable, which means they never change. Adverbs are divided into different categories determined by the type of information they provide. As you might have guessed, adverbs of frequency and time provide information on when, how often, or for long an action takes place.

Adverbs of Time

There are many French adverbs of time. To help you learn them, we will divide them into four different categories: adverbs of time past, time present, time future and adverbs about a specific moment in time relative to another moment (this will become clearer as we get there).

Adverbs of Time Past

Adverbs of time past indicate the event has taken place in the past, whether recently or a long time ago. Logically, they are usually used in sentences in the past tense. Here is a table listing some adverbs of time past from most recent to most ancient:
French adverb Pronunciation English translation
À l’instant ah-lun-stan just now
Récemment ray-sah-man recently
Tout à l’heure too-tah-luhr earlier
Hier ee-ehr yesterday
Avant-hier ah-van-tee-ehr the day before yesterday
Autrefois o-truh-fwah in the past, in the old days
Jadis zhah-dees in the old days

Examples:

Il est sorti à l’instant. He just walked out. Ils ont déménagé récemment. They recently moved away. Autrefois, j’avais les cheveux bruns. In the past, I used to have brown hair. Jadis, les enfants ne regardaient pas la télévision. In the old days, children did not watch television.

Adverbs of Time Present

French adverb Pronunciation English translation
Aujourd’hui o-zhoor-düee today
Maintenant mun-tuh-nan now
Tout de suite too-duh-süeet right now
Immédiatement eem-may-deeah-tman immediately
En ce moment an-suh-mo-man right now/currently
Actuellement ak-tü-ehl-man currently

Examples:

Aujourd’hui nous allons à la plage! Today we are going to the beach! Je dois préparer le dîner maintenant. I have to prepare dinner now. Rendez-moi mon argent tout de suite. Give me back my money right now.

Adverbs of Time Future

French adverb Pronunciation English translation
Tout à l’heure too-tah-luhr later
Bientôt beeun-to soon
Demain duh-mun tomorrow
Après-demain ah-preh-duh-mun the day after tomorrow
Dorénavant do-ray-nah-van from now on
Aussitôt o-si-to as soon as/right away
Note that tout à l’heure can either refer to an event that just happened, or an event that will happen very soon, and can either mean earlier today or later today.

What can an adverb modify?

The adverb can modify a verb, an adjective or another adverb. It can also relate to the whole sentence, telling you what the speaker is thinking or feeling. In other words, it can modify almost everything, except a noun(which is modified by an adjective)
  • a verb: Je regarde (verb) souvent (adv) la télé.
  • an adjective: Je suis vraiment (adv) touché (adj).
  • Another adverb: Nous avons très (adv) bien (adv) mangé
  • A whole sentence: Malheureusement (adv), je ne l’ai pas trouvé. (sentence)   

How to form a regular adverb from an adjective?

Although there are many adverbs that do not have the ending –ment, this ending is undoubtedly an important category of adverbs.  Let’s get through the general rules:
  •  If the adjective ends with a vowel, add –ment to the adjective to form the adverb:
absolu                ==>       absolument poli                      ==>          poliment
  • If the adjective ends with a consonant, change it to the feminine form (to get the “e” at the end) and then add -ment:
normal                ==>          normale       ==>         normalement éventuel             ==>         éventuelle     ==>      éventuellement

Days of the Week in French

First, let’s take a look at the days of the week:
English French
Monday lundi (pronounced: lun-dee)
Tuesday mardi (pronounced like: Mardi Gras)
Wednesday mercredi (pronounced: mer-cra-dee)
Thursday jeudi (pronounced: ju-dee)
Friday vendredi (pronounced: von-dra-dee)
Saturday samedi (pronounced: sa-mey-dee)
Sunday dimanche (pronounced: dee-man-sh)
Notice that they are not automatically capitalized like they are in English. That is a very important rule, so make sure you keep it in mind! Family

Let’s Talk about Family!

This lesson will give you the vocabulary to do just that. Let’s get started!

Family Trees

Imagine your own family tree. What would it look like?
Family Tree
Family Tree
The word for family in French is une famille, (oon fah-mee). It may help to imagine a French family to try out some new French vocabulary. While we look at the family imagined here, think of your own and see if any of the new words might apply. Start with Sandrine. She lives in Bordeaux, in southwest France, with her immediate family. C’est Sandrine! ‘This is Sandrine’.
Sandrine
Young Girl
She has two parents. The word for parents in French is very similar to our own: des parents, (day par-ahn).
Ses Parents
Parents
She has a mother, une mère, (oon mehr), and a father,un père, (uhn pehr). In French, you might also hear the familiar forms of these words, Maman, (Mah-mahn), and Papa, (Pah-pah). Her family has four children in it. The word in French for children is des enfants, (dayz ahn-fahn). Sandrine has two sisters. The word for sister is unesœur, (oon sör). She has one brother, un frère, (uhn frehr). He is the baby, le bébé, (luh bay-bay). When we say that Sandrine has two sisters and one brother, it also tells us that her parents have three daughters and one son. The word for daughter is une fille, (oon fee), and the word for son is un fils, (uhn fees). What about your family tree? How is it like Sandrine’s? How is it different? Let’s practice a tiny bit with this vocabulary, so you can see how you might apply it to yourself. To say, ‘I have children,’ you would say, J’ai des enfants. If you’d like to say, ‘I have a son and a daughter. I also have a sister and a brother,’ you might say, ‘J’ai un fils et une fille. J’ai aussi (also) une sœur et un frère.’ Notice the expression J’ai, (jay). It means ‘I have’. If you like to make it negative (to say you don’t have any), you’ll change it to je n’ai pas de, (juh nay pah duh) as in, Je n’ai pas de filles. ‘I don’t have any daughters’.

Extended Family

Let’s add some members to Sandrine’s family. Sandrine’s extended family lives further east, in the Burgundy region. Sandrine, like many of us, has grandparents. She’s their granddaughter. Let’s see that same idea in French: see if you can find the word for grandparents in the first sentence! Sandrine a des grand-parents. Sandrine est leur petite-fille. If you guessed that des grand-parents, (day grah-pah-rahn), was the French word for grandparents, you were right! She has a grandmother, une grand-mère, (oon grahn-mehr), and a grandfather, un grand-père, (uhn grahn-pehr). The word for granddaughter, as you can see it in the sentence above, is une petite-fille. For grandson, it’s unpetit-fils. And for grandchildren, it’s des petits-enfants, (day puh-teez ahn-fahn). Sandrine also has aunts, uncles, and cousins. Her favorite aunt is une tante, (oon tahnt), or Tata, in the familiar form, as we might say Auntie. Her closest uncle is un oncle, (uhn ohn-cl), or Tonton, in the most familiar form. A male cousin is un cousin, (uhn coo-zan), and a female cousin is une cousine, (oon coo-zeen).

Personality Traits in French

Has anyone ever tried to set you up on a blind date? How did your friend describe the potential soulmate? In addition to physical appearance, personality traits are descriptors you might want to know in a situation like this. If your friend told you the person is tall with brown hair, you would certainly want more details! Before you agree to meet, you might want to know if this friend-of-a-friend is a hard worker or lazy, and if the person is intelligent, nice, kind, pleasant, or creative, for example. Now let’s say you’re in France and a friend tries to set you up on a blind date. You’ll need to know some personality trait vocabulary in French. Let’s look at some basic personality trait adjectives in French:
Masculine Plural Masculine Feminine Plural Feminine English Translation
intelligent intelligents (an tehl ee jahn) intelligente intelligentes (an tehl ee jahntuh) intelligent
gentil gentils (jahn tee) gentille gentilles (jahn teeyuh) kind
avare avares (ah vahr) avare avares (ah vahr) stingy
sympathique sympathiques (sam pah teek) sympathique sympathiques (sam pah teek) nice/sympathetic
méchant méchants (meh shahn) méchante méchantes (meh shahn tuh) mean
créatif créatifs (cray ah teef) créative créatives (cray ah teev) creative
artistique artistiques (ahr tee steek) artistique artistiques (ahr tee steek) artistic
timide timides (tee meed) timide timides (tee meed) timid/ shy
sortant sortants (sohr tahn) sortante sortantes (sohr tahntuh) outgoing
branché branchés (brahn shay) branchée branchées (brahn shay) cool/connected
charmant charmants (shahr mahn) charmante charmantes (shahr mahntuh) charming
fidèle fidèles (fee dehl) fidèle fidèles (fee dehl) loyal
bavard bavards (bah vahr) bavarde bavardes (bah vahr duh) talkative
calme calmes (cahl muh) calme calmes (cahlmuh) quiet/ calm
organisé organisés (ohr gah nee zay) organisée organisées (ohr gah nee zay) organized
désorganisé désorganisés (day zohr gah nee zay) désorganisée désorganisées (day zohr gah nee zay) disorganized/messy
compréhensif compréhensifs (cohm pray ahn seef) compréhensive compréhensives (cohm pray ahn seev) understanding
bon bons (bohn) bonne bonnes (buhnnuh) good
mauvais mauvais (moh vay) mauvaise mauvaises (moh vehz) bad
paresseux paresseux (pah reh suh) paresseuse paresseuses (pah reh suhz) lazy
travailleur travailleurs (trah vah ee uhr) travailleuse travailleuses (trah vah ee uhz) hardworking

French Conjugations:

Er- Verb
1. ACCOMPAGNER : to accompany
Je: accompagne Nous: accompagnons
Tu: accompagnes Vous: accompagnez
Il: accompagne Ils: accompagnent
2. AIDER : to help
Je: aide Nous: aidons
Tu: aides Vous: aidez
Il: aide Ils: aident
3. AIMER : to like, love
Je: aime Nous: aimons
Tu: aimes Vous: aimez
Il: aime Ils: aiment
4. APPORTER : to bring
Je: apporte Nous: apportons
Tu: apportes Vous: apportez
Il: apporte Ils: apportent
5. CHANTER : to sing
Je: chante Nous: chantons
Tu: chantes Vous: chantez
Il: chante Ils: chantent
6. COÛTER : to cost
Je: coûte Nous: coûtons
Tu: coûtes Vous: coûtez
Il: coûte Ils: coûtent
7. DANSER : to dance
Je: danse Nous: dansons
Tu: danses Vous: dansez
Il: danse Ils: dansent
8. FERMER : to close
Je: ferme Nous: fermons
Tu: fermes Vous: fermez
Il: ferme Ils: ferment
9. JOUER : to play
Je: joue Nous: jouons
Tu: joues Vous: jouez
Il: joue Ils: jouent
10. LAVER : to wash
Je: lave Nous: lavons
Tu: laves Vous: lavez
Il: lave Ils: lavent
11. MARCHER : to walk, go
Je: marche Nous: marchons
Tu: marches Vous: marchez
Il: marche Ils: marchent
12. MONTRER : to show
Je: montre Nous: montrons
Tu: montres Vous: montrez
Il: montre Ils: montrent
13. OUBLIER : to forget
Je: oublie Nous: oublions
Tu: oublies Vous: oubliez
Il: oublie Ils: oublient
14. PASSER : to pass
Je: passe Nous: passons
Tu: passes Vous: passez
Il: passe Ils: passent
15. PENSER : to think
Je: pense Nous: pensons
Tu: penses Vous: pensez
Il: pense Ils: pensent
16. PRÉPARER : to prepare
Je: prépare Nous: préparons
Tu: prépares Vous: préparez
Il: prépare Ils: préparent
17. RACONTER : to relate, tell
Je: raconte Nous: racontons
Tu: racontes Vous: racontez
Il: raconte Ils: racontent
18. ÉCOUTER : to listen (to)
Je: écoute Nous: écoutons
Tu: écoutes Vous: écoutez
Il: écoute Ils: écoutent
19. ÉTUDIER : to study
Je: étudie Nous: étudions
Tu: étudies Vous: étudiez
Il: étudie Ils: étudient
LE PRESENT: -ir verbs
1. AGIR : to act
Je: agis Nous: agissons
Tu: agis Vous: agissez
Il: agit Ils: agissent
2. BÂTIR : to build
Je: bâtis Nous: bâtissons
Tu: bâtis Vous: bâtissez
Il: bâtit Ils: bâtissent
3. CHOISIR : to choose
Je: choisis Nous: choisissons
Tu: choisis Vous: choisissez
Il: choisit Ils: choisissent
4. DÉSOBÉIR : to disobey
Je: désobéis Nous: désobéissons
Tu: désobéis Vous: désobéissez
Il: désobéit Ils: désobéissent
5. FINIR : to finish
Je: finis Nous: finissons
Tu: finis Vous: finissez
Il: finit Ils: finissent
6. GUÉRIR : to cure
Je: guéris Nous: guérissons
Tu: guéris Vous: guérissez
Il: guérit Ils: guérissent
7. NOURRIR : to feed
Je: nourris Nous: nourrissons
Tu: nourris Vous: nourrissez
Il: nourrit Ils: nourrissent
8. OBÉIR : to obey
Je: obéis Nous: obéissons
Tu: obéis Vous: obéissez
Il: obéit Ils: obéissent
9. PUNIR : to punish
Je: punis Nous: punissons
Tu: punis Vous: punissez
Il: punit Ils: punissent
10. REMPLIR : to fill
Je: remplis Nous: remplissons
Tu: remplis Vous: remplissez
Il: remplit Ils: remplissent
11. ROUGIR : to blush
Je: rougis Nous: rougissons
Tu: rougis Vous: rougissez
Il: rougit Ils: rougissent
12. RÉFLÉCHIR : to think, reflect
Je: réfléchis Nous: réfléchissons
Tu: réfléchis Vous: réfléchissez
Il: réfléchit Ils: réfléchissent
13. RÉUSSIR : to succeed
Je: réussis Nous: réussissons
Tu: réussis Vous: réussissez
Il: réussit Ils: réussissent
14. SAISIR : to seize
Je: saisis Nous: saisissons
Tu: saisis Vous: saisissez
Il: saisit Ils: saisissent
LE PRESENT: -re verbs
1. ATTENDRE : to wait (for)
Je: attends Nous: attendons
Tu: attends Vous: attendez
Il: attend Ils: attendent
2. DESCENDRE : to go (come) down
Je: descends Nous: descendons
Tu: descends Vous: descendez
Il: descend Ils: descendent
3. DÉFENDRE : to defend
Je: défends Nous: défendons
Tu: défends Vous: défendez
Il: défend Ils: défendent
4. ENTENDRE : to hear
Je: entends Nous: entendons
Tu: entends Vous: entendez
Il: entend Ils: entendent
5. INTERROMPRE : to interrupt
Je: interromps Nous: interrompons
Tu: interromps Vous: interrompez
Il: interrompt Ils: interrompent
6. PERDRE : to lose
Je: perds Nous: perdons
Tu: perds Vous: perdez
Il: perd Ils: perdent
7. RENDRE : to give back, return
Je: rends Nous: rendons
Tu: rends Vous: rendez
Il: rend Ils: rendent
8. ROMPRE : to break
Je: romps Nous: rompons
Tu: romps Vous: rompez
Il: rompt Ils: rompent
9. RÉPONDRE : to answer
Je: réponds Nous: répondons
Tu: réponds Vous: répondez
Il: répond Ils: répondent
10. VENDRE : to sell
Je: vends Nous: vendons
Tu: vends Vous: vendez
Il: vend Ils: vendent
LE PRESENT: irregular -ir verbs
1. DORMIR : to sleep
Je: dors Nous: dormons
Tu: dors Vous: dormez
Il: dort Ils: dorment
2. ENDORMIR : to put to sleep
Je: endors Nous: endormons
Tu: endors Vous: endormez
Il: endort Ils: endorment
3. MENTIR : to lie
Je: mens Nous: mentons
Tu: mens Vous: mentez
Il: ment Ils: mentent
4. PARTIR : to go away
Je: pars Nous: partons
Tu: pars Vous: partez
Il: part Ils: partent
5. SENTIR : to feel
Je: sens Nous: sentons
Tu: sens Vous: sentez
Il: sent Ils: sentent
6. SERVIR : to serve
Je: sers Nous: servons
Tu: sers Vous: servez
Il: sert Ils: servent
7. SORTIR : to go out
Je: sors Nous: sortons
Tu: sors Vous: sortez
Il: sort Ils: sortent
LE PRESENT: irregular verbs
1. ALLER : to go
Je: vais Nous: allons
Tu: vas Vous: allez
Il: va Ils: vont
2. ASSEOIR : to sit
Je: assieds Nous: asseyons
Tu: assieds Vous: asseyez
Il: assied Ils: asseyent
3. AVOIR : to have
Je: ai Nous: avons
Tu: as Vous: avez
Il: a Ils: ont
4. BATTRE : to beat
Je: bats Nous: battons
Tu: bats Vous: battez
Il: bat Ils: battent
5. BOIRE : to drink
Je: bois Nous: buvons
Tu: bois Vous: buvez
Il: boit Ils: boivent
6. CONDUIRE : to drive
Je: conduis Nous: conduisons
Tu: conduis Vous: conduisez
Il: conduit Ils: conduisent
7. CONNAÎTRE : to be acquainted with
Je: connais Nous: connaissons
Tu: connais Vous: connaissez
Il: connaît Ils: connaissent
8. COURIR : to run
Je: cours Nous: courons
Tu: cours Vous: courez
Il: court Ils: courent
9. CRAINDRE : to fear
Je: crains Nous: craignons
Tu: crains Vous: craignez
Il: craint Ils: craignent
10. CROIRE : to believe
Je: crois Nous: croyons
Tu: crois Vous: croyez
Il: croit Ils: croient
11. DEVOIR : to have to
Je: dois Nous: devons
Tu: dois Vous: devez
Il: doit Ils: doivent
12. DIRE : to say
Je: dis Nous: disons
Tu: dis Vous: dites
Il: dit Ils: disent
13. FAIRE : to do
Je: fais Nous: faisons
Tu: fais Vous: faites
Il: fait Ils: font
14. LIRE : to read
Je: lis Nous: lisons
Tu: lis Vous: lisez
Il: lit Ils: lisent
15. METTRE : to put on
Je: mets Nous: mettons
Tu: mets Vous: mettez
Il: met Ils: mettent
16. OUVRIR : to open
Je: ouvre Nous: ouvrons
Tu: ouvres Vous: ouvrez
Il: ouvre Ils: ouvrent
17. PLAIRE : to please
Je: plais Nous: plaisons
Tu: plais Vous: plaisez
Il: plaît Ils: plaisent
18. POUVOIR : to be able
Je: peux Nous: pouvons
Tu: peux Vous: pouvez
Il: peut Ils: peuvent
19. PRENDRE : to take
Je: prends Nous: prenons
Tu: prends Vous: prenez
Il: prend Ils: prennent
20. RECEVOIR : to receive
Je: reçois Nous: recevons
Tu: reçois Vous: recevez
Il: reçoit Ils: reçoivent
21. RIRE : to laugh
Je: ris Nous: rions
Tu: ris Vous: riez
Il: rit Ils: rient
22. SAVOIR : to know
Je: sais Nous: savons
Tu: sais Vous: savez
Il: sait Ils: savent
23. SUIVRE : to follow
Je: suis Nous: suivons
Tu: suis Vous: suivez
Il: suit Ils: suivent
24. TAIRE : to not tell
Je: tais Nous: taisons
Tu: tais Vous: taisez
Il: tait Ils: taisent
25. TENIR : to hold
Je: tiens Nous: tenons
Tu: tiens Vous: tenez
Il: tient Ils: tiennent
26. VALOIR : to be worth
Je: vaux Nous: valons
Tu: vaux Vous: valez
Il: vaut Ils: valent
27. VENIR : to come
Je: viens Nous: venons
Tu: viens Vous: venez
Il: vient Ils: viennent
28. VIVRE : to live
Je: vis Nous: vivons
Tu: vis Vous: vivez
Il: vit Ils: vivent
29. VOIR : to see
Je: vois Nous: voyons
Tu: vois Vous: voyez
Il: voit Ils: voient
30. VOULOIR : to want
Je: veux Nous: voulons
Tu: veux Vous: voulez
Il: veut Ils: veulent
31. ÉCRIRE : to write
Je: écris Nous: écrivons
Tu: écris Vous: écrivez
Il: écrit Ils: écrivent
32. ÊTRE : to be
Je: suis Nous: sommes
Tu: es Vous: êtes
Il: est Ils: sont

Expressions of Quantity with Numbers or de

The French pronoun en replaces phrases that indicate quantities (of things or people). Quantities can be expressed with numbers, expressions, indefinite articles, and partitive articles:
  • A number: J’ai trois chats. (I have three cats.)

  • An expression + de: Il a beaucoup de CDs. (He has a lot of CDs.)

  • An indefinite article: Nous avons une voiture bleue. (We have a blue car.)

  • A partitive article: Ils ont de la chance. (They have some luck.)

The word de in an expression of quantity like un peu de (a little bit of) or just a number + noun is replaced by the pronoun en. But don’t lose track of that specific quantity when you are using the pronoun: Eating “a lot of chocolate” is not the same as eating “a little bit of chocolate”! How do you keep track of the quantity? That’s super easy: Just put the quantity you’re talking about at the end of the sentence, no matter where en is in the sentence. Here’s how to proceed:
  1. Find the quantity phrase.

    For example, in Les athlètes ont beaucoup de médailles. (The athletes have a lot of medals.), the expression of quantity is beaucoup de médailles.

  2. Remove the entire phrase: the expression of quantity (+ de) + noun.

    In this example, you’re left with Les athlètes ont.

  3. Replace the phrase with the pronoun en and place the pronoun properly in the sentence — in this sentence, before the conjugated verb.

    In this case, you have Les athlètes en ont.

  4. Add the expression of quantity (same one or a new one), without de, at the very end of the sentence.

    Here, you wind up with Les athlètes en ont beaucoup. (The athletes have a lot of them.)

Here are a few examples using different expressions of quantity of this type.
Je bois un verre de lait. (I drink a glass of milk.) → J’en bois un verre. (I drink a glass of it.)
Elle a un portable. (She has a cellphone.) → Elle en a un. (She has one [of them].)
Le champion a gagné neuf médailles. (The champion won nine medals.) → Le champion en a gagné neuf. (The champion won nine [of them].)
Note: The indefinite article un (a, an) counts as a specific quantity and has to be taken up as such in the new sentence with en. This fact also applies to the indefinite article une (a) but not to the indefinite article des (some). This construction is particularly useful when you are asked how many of something you have or want.
Combien d’animaux est-ce que tu as chez toi? (How many pets do you have?)
J’en ai trois: un chien, un chat et un poisson rouge. (I have three: a dog, a cat, and a goldfish.)
Tu bois du lait le matin? (Do you drink any milk in the morning?)
Oui, j’en bois un verre. (Yes, I drink a glass of it.)

Framing Questions in French Using Est-Ce Que

In French, you can ask a question in a couple of different ways. In English, when you ask a yes/no question in present tense, you typically begin with Do you, and the verb follows. (For example, Do you have a cat?) French has two primary ways of asking the same question:
  • Add est-ce que at the beginning of a sentence.

  • Use inversion, but it’s a bit more complex and usually reserved for written style/expression.

You can form a question by starting the sentence with the tag est-ce que and ending it with a question mark. Est-ce que doesn’t translate in English, but it’s the equivalent of Do you or Are you. Here are some examples:
Statement: Mes amis vont au cinéma. (My friends go to the movies.)
Question: Est-ce que mes amis vont au cinéma? (Are my friends going to the movies?)
Statement: Je peux sortir. (I can go out.)
Question: Est-ce que je peux sortir? (Can I go out?)
Statement: C’est facile (It’s easy.)
Question: Est-ce que c’est facile? (Is it easy?)

If est-ce que precedes a subject that begins with a vowel, it changes to est-ce qu’ as illustrated in the following example:

Est-ce qu’il pleut? (Is it raining?)

How to use of ‘VENIR DE + infinitive verb”

French Vocabulary

The expression ‘VENIR DE + infinitive verb’ expresses the notion of just did something.

  • ‘VENIR DE’ may be in the present tense. It expresses the idea of ‘just did something’ or ‘just have done something’.
    • Je viens de manger => I just ate

pronoun

present

verb

English

je

viens de

manger

I just ate

tu

viens d’

acheter

you just bought

elle

vient de

parler

she just talked

il

vient d’

aller

he/it just went

on

vient de

boire

we just drank

nous

venons de

voir

we just saw

vous

venez de

vendre

you just sold

ils

viennent de

visiter

they just visited

elles

viennent de

travailler

they just worke

À – French Preposition

À is a very important French preposition, despite its tiny size. Its many different meanings and uses in French include all of the following:I. Location or destinationJ’habite à Paris – I live in ParisJe vais à Rome – I’m going to RomeJe suis à la banque – I’m at the bankII. Distance in time or spaceJ’habite à 10 mètres de lui – I live 10 meters from himIl est à 5 minutes de moi – He is 5 minutes from meIII. Point in timeNous arrivons à 5h00 – We arrive at 5:00Il est mort à 92 ans – He died at the age of 92 IV. Manner, style, or characteristic Il habite à la française – He lives in the French style un enfant aux yeux bleus – blue-eyed child / child with blue eyes fait à la main – made by hand aller à pied – to go on / by foot V. Possession un ami à moi – a friend of mine Ce livre est à Jean – This is Jean’s book VI. Measurement acheter au kilo – to buy by the kilogram payer à la semaine – to pay by the week VII. Purpose or use une tasse à thé – teacup / cup for tea un sac à dos – backpack / pack for the back VIII. In the Passive Infinitive À louer – for rent Je n’ai rien à lire – I have nothing to read.
Note: When followed by the definite articles le and les, à contracts with them into a single word:
For example
à + le = au au magasin
à + les = aux aux maisons
But à does not contract with la or l’
à + la = à la à la banque
à + l’ = à l’ à l’hôpital
In addition, à does not contract with le and les when they are direct objects.
 
Conjugating Reflexive Verbsreflexive verb infinitive is identified by its reflexive pronoun se, which is placed before the infinitive and that serves as a direct or indirect object pronoun. A reflexive verb shows that the subject is performing the action upon itself and, therefore, the subject and the reflexive pronoun refer to the same person or thing, as in je m’appelle (I call myself), which is translated to “My name is.” Some verbs must always be reflexive, whereas other verbs may be made reflexive by adding the correct object pronoun. The meaning of some verbs varies depending upon whether or not the verb is used reflexively. Reflexive verbs are always conjugated with the reflexive pronoun that agrees with the subject: me (myself), te (yourself), se (himself, herself, itself, themselves), nous (ourselves), and vous (yourself, yourselves). These pronouns generally precede the verb. Follow the rules for conjugating regular verbs, verbs with spelling changes, and irregular verbs, depending on of the tense, as shown in Table 1: Reflexive constructions have the following translations:
  • Present tense: Je me lave. (I wash myself.)
  • Imperfect tense:Je me lavais. (I was washing [used to] myself.)
  • Future tense: Je me laverai. (I will wash myself.)
  • Conditional: Je me laverais. (I would wash myself.)
Consider the following most commonly used reflexive verbs. Those marked with asterisks have shoe verb spelling change within the infinitive.
  • s’approcher de (approach)
  • s’arrêter de (stop)
  • se baigner (bathe, swim)
  • se blesser (hurt oneself)
  • se bronzer (tan)
  • se brosser (brush)
  • se brûler (burn oneself)
  • se casser (break)
  • se coiffer (do one’s hair)
  • se coucher (go to bed)
  • se couper (cut oneself)
  • se demander (wonder)
  • se dépêcher (hurry)
  • se déshabiller (undress)
  • se détendre (relax)
  • s’endormir (go to sleep)
  • se fâcher (get angry)
  • s’habiller (dress)
  • s’impatienter (become impatient)
  • s’inquiéter de* (worry about)
  • se laver (wash)
  • se lever* (get up)
  • se maquiller (apply make‐up)
  • se mettre à (begin)
  • s’occuper de (take care of)
  • se peigner (comb)
  • se présenter (introduce oneself)
  • se promener* (take a walk)
  • se rappeler* (recall)
  • se raser (shave)
  • se reposer (rest)
  • se réunir (meet)
  • se réveiller (wake up)
  • se servir de (use)
  • se tromper (make a mistake)
In addition, some French verbs are always reflexive despite the fact that in English they are not:
  • s’écrier (exclaim, cry out)
  • s’en aller (leave, go away)
  • se fier à (trust)
  • se méfier de (distrust)
  • se moquer de (make fun of)
  • se soucier de (care about)
  • se souvenir de (remember)
When a subject is followed by two verbs (and keep in mind that when the first one is conjugated, the second must be in the infinitive, the reflexive pronoun precedes the infinitive, because its meaning is tied to that verb:
  • Je vais me dépêcher. (I’m going to hurry.)
  • Il ne va pas se raser. (He’s not going to shave.)
  • Reflexive Verbs and Commands
  • In a negative command, the reflexive pronoun directly precedes the verb: Ne te lève pas!(Don’t get up!)
  • In an affirmative command, the reflexive pronoun follows the verb and is attached to it by a hyphen. In familiar commands, tebecomes toi after the verb: Lèvetoi! Levezvous! (Get up!)

Reflexive or Non‐Reflexive?

The meaning of certain verbs allows the use of the verb either as reflexive or non‐reflexive, depending upon whom the action is performed. Me, te, se, nous, and vous are also used as direct and indirect object pronouns when not used reflexively. Be sure, therefore, to pay attention to the meaning you wish to convey.
  • Je me lave. (I wash myself.)
  • Je lave la voiture. (I wash the car.)
  • Je la lave. (I wash it.)
  • Il se réveille. (He wakes [himself] up.)
  • Il me réveille. (He wakes me up.)
Some verbs in French have different meanings when used reflexively, as shown in Table 1. Even verbs that are not generally used as reflexive verbs may be made reflexive by adding the reflexive pronoun:
  • Je prépare le dîner. (I prepare dinner.)
  • Je me prépare. (I prepare myself.)
Reflexive verbs may be used in the plural to express reciprocal action meaning “each other” or “one another:”
  • Nous nous parlons. (We speak to each other.)
  • Vous vous regardez. (You look at one another.)
Reflexive Verbs and Compound Tenses In compound tenses like the passé composé, reflexive verbs use êtreas their helping (auxiliary) verb. The reflexive pronoun remains before the conjugated helping form of être, as follows:
  • Je me suis lavé(e). (I washed myself.)
  • Tu t’es préparé(e). (You didn’t get ready.)
  • Il s’est rasé. (He shaved.)
  • Elle s’est couchée. (Didn’t she go to bed?)
  • Nous nous sommes peigné(e)s. (We combed our hair.)
  • Vous vous êtes coiffé(e)(s). (You didn’t do your hair.)
  • Ils se sont impatientés. (They became impatient.)
  • Elles se sont maquillées. (They put on their makeup.)
When the reflexive pronoun is used as a direct object, as in “Whom did they wash? Themselves! ” the past participle agrees with the reflexive pronoun: Ils se sont lavés. (They washed themselves.) When the reflexive pronoun is used as an indirect object (“To/for whom did they wash something? For themselves!”), the past participle shows no agreement: Ils se sont lavé la figure. (They washed their faces.) Even verbs that are not generally used as reflexive verbs may be made reflexive by adding the reflexive pronoun:
  • Je prépare le dîner. (I prepare dinner.)
  • Je me prépare. (I prepare myself.)
Reflexive verbs may be used in the plural to express reciprocal action meaning “each other” or “one another:”
  • Nous nous parlons. (We speak to each other.)
  • Vous vous regardez. (You look at one another.)

Passé Composé

The Passé Composé with Avoir

Using avoir as the helping verb is a logical choice in a tense that expresses an action that has occurred. Although English usage often omits the use of “have” when it is implied (You may say, “I lost my keys” and not, “I have lost my keys”), in French, you must always use the helping verb: J’ai perdu mes clefs. To form the passé composé of verbs using avoir, conjugate avoir in the present tense (j’ai, tu as, il a, nous avons, vous avez, ils ont) and add the past participle of the verb expressing the action. Put the words together this way: subject + helping verb (usually avoir) + past participle. The passé composé, a compound past tense, is formed by combining two elements: when (the action has taken place and, therefore, requires the helping verb avoir) and what (the action that has happened and, therefore, requires the past participle of the regular or irregular verb showing the particular action). See Figure 1. Here are some examples of the passé composé. Elle a expliqué son problème. (She explained her problem.) Ils ont réussi. (They succeeded.) J’ai entendu les nouvelles. (I heard the news.) Forming the negative in the passé composé with avoir In a negative sentence in the passé composé, ne precedes the helping verb, and the negative word (pas, rien, jamais, and so on follows it: Je n’ai rien préparé. (I didn’t prepare anything.) Nous n’avons pas fini le travail. (We didn’t finish the work.) Il n’a jamais répondu à la lettre. (He never answered the letter.) Questions in the passé composé with avoir To form a question in the passé composé using inversion, invert the conjugated helping verb with the subject pronoun and add a hyphen. Then place the negative around the hyphenated helping verb and subject pronoun: As‐tu mangé? (Did you eat?) N’as‐tu rien mangé? (Didn’t you eat anything?) A‐t‐il attendu les autres? (Did he wait for the others?) N’a‐t‐il pas attendu? (Didn’t he wait for the others?) Regular verbs follow a prescribed set of rules for the formation of the past participle, whereas irregular verbs (discussed in the following section) must be memorized. Past participles of verbs conjugated with avoir agree in gender (masculine or feminine — add e) and number (singular or plural — add s) with a preceding direct object noun or pronoun: Le(s) film(s)? (The film[s]?) Je l'(les)ai aimé(s). (I liked it [them].) Quelle(s) robe(s) a‐t‐elle choisie(s)? (Which dress[es] did she choose?) Il nous a vus. (He saw us.)

The Passé Composé with Être

The passé composé of 17 verbs is formed by combining the present tense of être (je suis, tu es, il est, nous sommes, vous êtes, ils sont) and then adding the past participle of the verb showing the action. Most of these verbs express motion or a change of place, state, or condition (that is, going up, going down, going in, going out, or remaining). Dr. and Mrs. Vandertrampp live in the house in Figure , as illustrated in Table 1. Their name may help you memorize the 17 verbs using être. An asterisk (*) in Table 6 denotes an irregular past participle. Verbs whose helping verb is être must show agreement of their past participles in gender (masculine or feminine — add e) and number (singular or plural — add s) with the subject noun or pronoun, as shown in Table 2 : Remember the following rules when using être as a helping verb in the passé composé: Vous can be a singular or plural subject for both masculine and feminine subjects. Singular Plural Vous êtes entré. (You entered.) Vous êtes entrés. (You entered.) Vous êtes entrée. (You entered.) Vous êtes entrées. (You entered.) For a mixed group, always use the masculine form. Roger et Bernard sont revenus. (Roger and Bernard came back.) Louise et Mireille sont revenues. (Louise and Mireille came back.) Roger et Louise sont revenus. (Roger and Louise came back.) If the masculine past participle ends in an unpronounced consonant, pronounce the consonant for the feminine singular and plural forms: Il est mort. (He died.) Ils sont morts. (They died.) Elle est morte. (She died.) Elles sont mortes. (They died.) Forming the negative in the passé composé with être In the negative, put ne before the conjugated form of être and the negative word after it: Il n’est pas sorti. (He didn’t go out.) Elles ne sont pas encore arrivées. (They didn’t arrive yet.) Questions in the passé composé with être To form a question using inversion, invert the conjugated form of être with the subject pronoun and add a hyphen. The negatives surround the hyphenated verb and pronoun: Sont‐ils partis? (Did they leave?) Ne sont‐ils pas partis? (Didn’t they leave?)

Future Tense

The future tense expresses what the subject will do or is going to do in the future. It also describes what action will or is going to take place at a future time. Although the future tense is usually used for events taking place in the future, the present tense in French may be used to refer to an action that will take place very soon or to ask for future instructions.
  • Il part tôt. (He will be leaving early.)
  • Je prends le bus? (Shall I take the bus?)
In addition, you can express an imminent action in the near future by conjugating the verb aller (to go) in the present tense and adding the infinitive of the action the speaker will perform. Keep in mind that the irregular present tense of aller is je vais, tu vas, il va, nous allons, vous allez, and ils vont.
  • Il va aller loin. (He’s going to go far.)
  • Ils vont jouer. (They are going to play.)
Otherwise, use the future tense in the following cases:
  • To express what will happen: Je réussirai. (I will succeed.)
  • After quand (when), lorsque (when), dès que (as soon as), andaussitôt que (as soon as), when referring to a future action, even if the present tense is used in English: Quand (Lorsque, Dès que, Aussitôt que) nous aurons beaucoup d’argent, nous irons en France. (When [As soon as] we have a lot of money, we will go to France.)
Future tense of regular verbs Form the future tense of regular verbs, as shown in Table 1, by adding the following endings (often referred to as avoir endings because they resemble the present conjugation of avoir) to the verb infinitive. Note the following about forming the future tense of regular verbs:
  • re verbs drop the final e before adding the appropriate future ending: vendre (to sell) becomes nous vendrons (we will sell)
  • The e of the er infinitive stem of the future is not pronounced.
All verbs that require spelling changes form the future in the same way as regular verbs: infinitive + future ending (except the following): For verbs ending in yer (except envoyer, which is irregular), change yto i in all forms of the future tense. Verbs ending in ‐ ayer may or may not make this change:
  • j’emplo i erai, nous emplo i erons (I will use, we will use)
  • je pa i erai or je pa y erai (I will pay)
For verbs ending in e + consonant + er (but not é + consonant + er), change the silent e before the infinitive ending to è in all forms of the future tense.
  • tu ach èteras, vous ach èterez (you will buy)
With appeler and jeter, double the consonant in the future tense.
  • nous appellerons (we will call)
  • nous jetterons (we will throw)
Future tense of irregular verbs Irregular verbs in the future have future stems ending in r or rr. Add the future endings to these stems to get the correct future form, as shown in Table 2. Negating in the future tense To negate a sentence in the future, simply put ne and the negative word around the conjugated verb:
  • Elles ne sortiront pas ce soir. (They will not go out this evening.)
  • Il ne fumera jamais. (He will never smoke.)
Remember that pronouns remain before the conjugated verb: Je ne te téléphonerai pas. (I will not call you.) Questions in the future tense To form a question using inversion, reverse the order of the subject pronoun and the verb and join them with a hyphen:
  • Irezvous en France cet été? (Will you go to France this summer?)
  • Joueratelle du piano? (Will she play the piano.)
The Conditional The conditional is not a tense because it does not refer to a time period. Instead, the conditional is a mood that expresses what a subject would do under certain circumstances. Use the conditional in the following situations:
  • To express what would happen under certain conditions: Si j’avais le temps je voyagerais. (If I had the time, I would travel.)
  • When “could” has the sense of “should be able to,” in which case you use the conditional of pouvoirIl pourrait faire ceci. (He could [should be able to] do this.)
  • To politely make a request or a demand: Je voudrais l’acheter. (I would like to buy it.)
The conditional uses the same stem as the future tense, but you then add the conditional endings, which are exactly the same as the imperfect endings, as shown in Table 1. For irregular verbs and verbs with spelling changes, you simply add conditional endings to the stems used for the future.
  • acheter: nous achèterions (xxx)
  • aller: j’irais (xxx)
  • appeler: vous appelleriez (xxx)
  • avoir: tu aurais (xxx)
  • devoir: il devrait (xxx)]
  • envoyer: j’enverrais (xxx)
  • essayer: j’essaierais or j’essayerai (xxx)
  • être: nous serions (xxx)
  • faire: vous feriez (xxx)
  • jeter: elle jetterait (xxx)
  • pouvoir: ils pourraient (xxx)
  • recevoir: je recevrais (xxx)
  • savoir: on saurait (xxx)
  • venir: nous viendrions (xxx)
  • voir: vous verriez (xxx)
  • vouloir: ils voudraient (xxx)
Irregularities in the future and conditional also occur in related verbs:
  • nous mettrions (we would put); nous permettrions (we would permit)
  • j’enverrais (I would send); je renverrais (I would send back)
Negating in the conditional To negate a sentence in the conditional, simply put ne and the negative word around the conjugated verb:
  • Elle ne rirait pas. (She wouldn’t laugh.)
  • Je ne pleurerais pas. (I wouldn’t cry.)
Remember that pronouns remain before the conjugated verb: Il ne vous punirait pas. (He wouldn’t punish you.) Questions in the conditional To form a question using inversion, reverse the order of the subject pronoun and the verb and join them with a hyphen:
  • Voudriezvous aller en France? (Would you like to go to France?)
  • J’aimerais partir. (I would like to leave.)
French Prepositions of Place – Countries, Cities, Regions Why do you say “Je vais en France” but “Je vais au Japon”? Like any inanimate object, continents, countries, and regions also have genders in French. The ending will usually tell you which is feminine or masculine and help you choose the correct French preposition of place. A – General Rule About French Prepositions of Places When the name of a region ends in an E, it’s usually feminine. La France, l’Angleterre, la Suisse, la Chine, l’Inde, la Californie, l’Asie
  • To say you’re going TO it, use EN Je vais… en France, en Italie, en Afrique, en Floride…
  • To say you’re there, use EN Je suis…  en France, en Italie, en Afrique, en Floride…
  • To say you’re coming from it, use DE Je viens de France, d’Italie, d’Afrique, de Floride…
(There are many exceptions though, such as Le Mexique, Le Maine, Le Zimbabwe…) When the name of a region ends in any other vowel but Eor a consonant, it’s usually masculine. Le Canada, le Japon, le Portugal, le Burundi, le Luxembourg, le Texas
  • To say you’re going TO it, use AU Je vais… au Niger, au Brésil, au Maroc, au Congo
  • To say you’re there, use AU Je suis…  au Niger, au Brésil, au Maroc, au Congo
  • To say you’re coming from it, use DU Je viens… du Niger, du Brésil, du Maroc, du Congo
When a masculine country starts with a vowel or an H, use the rules of the feminine countries L’Iran, l’Ouganda, Oman, Angola, Israël
  • Je vais en Iran, je viens d’Angola, je suis en Israël
B – Particular Cases About French Prepositions of Places Unfortunately, there are too many exceptions to be listed… So be ready to face many particular cases. Here are some pointers 1 – Plural names A few names of regions are plural. Most plural regions end in an S, but not all regions ending in an S are plural (le Laos, L’Arkansas)… So with plural regions, here is the rule Les États-Unis, les Maldives, les Pays-Bas, Les Philippines…
  • To say you’re going TO it, use AUX Je vais… aux États-Unis, aux Maldives
  • To say you’re there, use AUX Je suis…   aux États-Unis, aux Maldives
  • To say you’re coming from it, use DES Je viens… des États-Unis, des Maldives
Note the pronunciation of les États-Unis – there are 2 strong liaisons in Z, whether its introduced by les, aux or des = Zéta Zuni 2 – Cities Cities are usually not introduced by any article, and are usually feminine. Paris est belle (because here Paris refers to “la ville de Paris”).
  • For most cities, to say you’re going TO it, use à Je vais… à Paris, à Tokyo, à New-York
  • To say you’re IN it, use à Je suis… à Paris, à Tokyo, à New-York
  • To say you’re coming from it, use DE Je viens… de Paris, de Tokyo, de New-York
But some cities include an article in their name – Le Havre, le Caire, La Paz, Les Andelys… For these, usually the article contracts with the à, becoming au, du etc… 3 – Islands Are messy business in French… !! Many don’t have any article, and will be introduced by à or de Je vais à Cuba, à Haïti, à Madagascar But some are masculine Je vais au Japon And some are feminine Je vais en Corse And other plural Je vais aux Maldives So it’s more like a case by case scenario… 4 – Regions and states These usually follow the general rules for gender. La Provence, Le Sussex, l’Oregon. Note that in the US, the states are masculine except: La Floride, La Californie, La Caroline du Sud, La Caroline du Nord, La Louisiane, la Georgie, la Virginie occidentale (West Virginia), la Virginie Orientale (Virginia), La Pennsylvanie. But watch out… Le Maine. For prepositions used with  regions and states, it’s very difficult to say there is a rule per se… We tend not to use à, but rather en, au, aux or dans le, dans la, dans les… It’s really a matter of custom, not grammar. Au Texas, dans le Maine, en Bourgogne, en Californie, dans la Creuse….
Dutch Course
Articles:Dutch has three articles, two definite articles, de and het(the), and one indefinite article een(a or an).Definite articles ‘the’ Definite articles: `de‘ and `het‘:De is used before masculine and feminine nouns and het before neuter nouns. We usually talk about de-words and het- words. There is no way to tell from a given word whether it is one or the other. It is advisable therefore to learn the article together with the new noun that is being learned. Two useful rules may be worth remembering:I. ALL PLURALS ARE DE-WORDS: although `huis’ is a het-word (het huis), the plural is `de huizen’, etc.ii. ALL SINGULAR DIMINUTIVES ARE HET-WORDS: although `tafel’ (table) is a de-word (de tafel), the diminutive is `het tafeltje’, etc.Note: Plurals take preference over diminutives, so we say not only `de huisjes’ but also `de tafeltjes’, etc.2.2 Indefinite articles ‘a, an’ Indefinite article: `een’: `Een’ is pronounced very much like `an’ in `an apple’ and also has the same meaning and function as the indefinite article in English: `a child’ in English is `een kind’ in Dutch; `an accident’ is `een ongeluk’ in Dutch.Personal pronouns Personal Pronouns:
Singular
Person Dutch English
1st ik I
2nd je (unstressed), jij (stressed) you (informal)
2nd u you (formal)
3rd hij he
3rd ze (unstressed), zij(stressed) she
3rd het it
Plural
Person Dutch English
1st we (unstressed), wij (stressed) we
2nd jullie you (informal)
2nd u you (formal)
3rd ze (unstressed), zij (stressed) they
Verb ‘to be’ – ‘zijn’ Het werkwoord “zijn” (The verb “to be”):
Dutch English
ik ben  I am
je bent (ben je?) you are (informal, unstressed)
jij bent (ben jij?) you are (informal, stressed)
u bent (bent u?) you are (formal)
hij is he is
ze is she is (unstressed)
zij is she is (stressed)
het is it is
we zijn we are (unstressed)
wij zijn we are (stressed)
jullie zijn you are
ze zijn they are (unstressed)
zij zijn they are (stressed)
Possessive adjectives Possessive Adjectives:
Singular
Person Dutch English
1st mijn my
2nd je (unstressed), jouw (stressed) your (informal)
2nd uw your (formal)
3rd zijn his
3rd haar her
Plural
Person Dutch English
1st ons/onze our
2nd jullie your (informal)
2nd uw your (formal)
3rd hun their
 Verb ‘to have’
Dutch English
ik heb I have
je/jij hebt (heb je/jij?) you have (informal)
u heeft you have (formal)
hij/ze/zij/het heeft he/she/it has
we/wij hebben we have
jullie hebben you have
ze/zij hebben they have
Note i: When jij/je follows the verb, no -t is added. Normally we say: jij/je hebt. In reverse order we get: Heb jij/je, eg. in questions. 2.7 The question vorm De vragende vorm (The question form): In questions the order of subject and verb is reversed: Jij hebt een huis – Heb jij een huis? (huis – house) Hij is een man – Is hij een man? 2.8 Numerals   Telwoorden (Numerals):
Numeral Cardinal Ordinal
1 een (one) eerste (first)
2 twee (two) tweede (second)
3 drie derde
4 vier vierde
5 vijf vijfde
6 zes zesde
7 zeven zevende
8 acht achtste
9 negen negende
10 tien tiende
11 elf elfde
12 twaalf twaalfde
13 dertien dertiende
14 veertien veertiende
15 vijftien vijftiende
16 zestien zestiende
17 zeventien zeventiende
18 achtien achttiende
19 negentien negentiende
20 twintig twintigste
 New Words in Dutch
meneer (mnr.) mister
mevrouw (mev.) Mrs., madam
de man the man, husband
de vrouw the woman, wife
het kind the child
de jongen(s) the boy(s)
het meisje the girl
de broer the brother
het zusje the sister
het huis house, home
de familie the family
geen no (not a, not any)
of or
van of
wat what
mooi nice
ja yes
nee no
hoe how
oud old
en and
 The van Dam family  De familie van Dam
Meneer Van Dam is een man. Hij heeft een vrouw. Zijn vrouw is mevrouw Van    Dam. Meneer en mevrouw Van Dam hebben drie kinderen. Henk is de broer van Wim. Hannie is hun zusje; zij is 15. Hannie is geen jongen; zij is een meisje. De  familie Van Dam heeft een huis. Het is een mooi huis. æ Mr. Van Dam is a man. He has a wife. His wife is Mrs. van Dam. Mr. and Mrs. van Dam have three children. Henk is Wim’s brother. Hannie is their little sister; she is 15. Hannie is not a boy; she is a girl. The van Dam family has a house. It is a beautiful house.
Exercise 29. Vertaal de bovenstaande zinnen (Translate the sentences above). Exercise 30.Beantwoord de vragen (Answer the questions): 1. Wat is meneer Van Dam? 2. Is mevrouw Van Dam een vrouw? 3. Hebben zij kinderen? 4. Hebben zij twee kinderen? 5. Is Wim een meisje? 6. Is Henk het zusje van Hannie? 8. Zijn Wim en Henk de zusjes van Hannie? 9. Heeft Hannie een zusje? 10. Heeft de familie Van Dam een mooi huis? 1. Ben jij een jongen of een meisje? 2. Hoe oud ben je? 3. Heb je een broer? 4. Heb je een zusje? 5. Heb je een man of een vrouw? 6. Hebben jullie een huis?
1 Meneer Van Dam is een man. Mr. van Dam is a man.
2 Ja, mevrouw Van Dam is een vrouw. Yes, Mrs. van Dam is a woman.
3 Ja, zij hebben kinderen. Yes, they have children.
4 Nee, zij hebben drie kinderen. No, they have three children.
5 Nee, Wim is geen meisje. No, Wim is not a girl.
6 Nee, Henk is de broer van Hannie. No, Henk is Hannie’s brother.
7 Ja, Hannie is dertien. Yes, Hannie is thirteen.
8 Nee, Wim en Henk zijn de broers van Hannie. No, Wim and Henk are Hannie’s brothers.
9 Nee, Hannie heeft geen zusje. No, Hannie does not have a little sister.
10 Ja, de familie Van Dam heeft een mooi huis. Yes, the Van Dam family have a beautiful house.
Weak Verbs: The verb `werken'(to work) can serve as a model for a group of so-called weak verbs which are all conjugated the same way and form the various tenses on the same principles. These verbs are called `weak’ because the stem of the verb, in this case `werk’, never changes. werken(to work)
Person Present Indefinite Past Indefinite Present Perfect
ik werk ik werkte ik heb gewerkt
jij werkt jij werkte jij hebt gewerkt
hij werkt hij werkte hij heeft gewerkt
3 zij werkt zij werkte zij heeft gewerkt
3 het werkt het werkte het heeft gewerkt
wij werken wij werkten wij hebben gewerkt
jullie werken jullie werkten jullie hebben gewerkt
zij werken zij werkten zij hebben gewer
luisteren(to listen)
Person Present Indefinite Past Indefinite Present Perfect
1 ik luister ik luisterde ik heb geluisterd
2 jij luistert jij luisterde jij hebt geluisterd
3 hij luistert hij luisterde hij heeft geluisterd
3 zij luistert zij luisterde zij heeft geluisterd
3 het luistert het luisterde het heeft geluisterd
1 wij luisteren wij luisterden wij hebben geluisterd
2 jullie luisteren jullie luisterden jullie hebben geluisterd
3 zij luisteren zij luisterden zij hebben geluisterd
Words that have a k, f, s, ch, or p before the `-en’ in the infinitive, such as `werken’ above, form the Past Tense and Perfect Tenses by means of a t; all other weak verbs take a d. Note: The same happens in spoken form in English words: a t is heard in `worked’ and `chopped’ although these words are spelled with a d. In words like `listened’ and `lived’ on the other hand, a d sound is heard. An easy way to remember which words take t is to form a word of the letters mentioned above, namely KoFSCHiP. Other verbs in this group are: wandelen(to stroll, to go for a walk), poetsen(to brush), fietsen(to bike), branden (to burn), winkelen(to go shopping), antwoorden(to answer), regenen(to rain), tekenen(to draw), oefenen(to practice, to exercise), and zeilen(to sail). Exercise 31. Conjugate the words in the previous paragraph in the same way as in the examples above. A verb which is also `weak’ because the stem doesn’t change, is, for example, `wonen'(to live, to reside). Words like `wonen’ are here put in a different group because of the difference in spelling. wonen
Person Present Indefinite Past Indefinite Present Perfect
1 ik woon ik woonde ik heb gewoond
2 jij woont jij woonde jij hebt gewoond
3 hij woont hij woonde hij heeft gewoond
1 wij wonen wij woonden wij hebben gewoond
2 jullie wonen jullie woonden jullie hebben gewoond
3 zij wonen zij woonden zij hebben gewoond
The stem of the verb `branden’ ends on a `d’ (brand). When `de(n)’ is added for the past tense, there will be two d’s. Branden:
Person Present Indefinite Past Indefinite Present Perfect
1 ik brand ik brandde ik heb gebrand
2 jij brandt jij brandde jij hebt gebrand
3 hij brandt hij brandde hij heeft gebrand
1 wij branden wij brandden wij hebben gebrand
2 jullie branden jullie brandden jullie hebben gebrand
3 zij branden zij brandden zij hebben gebrand
Other verbs that belong to the same group are, among others, leren(to learn), maken(to make), smaken(to taste), spelen(to play), parkeren(to park), horen(to hear), koken(to cook or boil), lenen(to lend or borrow), plagen(to tease), halen(to fetch), and menen(to mean). Exercise 32. Conjugate the verbs above in all three given tenses. Tenses of ‘to be’ Tenses of `zijn’:
Present Indefinite Past Indefinite Present Perfect
ik ben ik was ik ben geweest (I have been)
jij bent jij was jij bent geweest
hij is hij was hij is geweest
wij zijn wij waren wij zijn geweest
jullie zijn jullie waren jullie zijn geweest
zij zijn zij waren zij zijn geweest

Tenses of ‘to have’ Tenses of hebben:

Present Indefinite Past Indefinite Present Perfect
ik heb ik had ik heb gehad
jij hebt jij had jij hebt gehad
hij heeft hij had hij heeft gehad
wij hebben wij hadden wij hebben gehad
jullie hebben jullie hadden jullie hebben gehad
zij hebben zij hadden zij hebben gehad
Exercise 33. Change the following sentences first in the Past Tense and then in the Present Perfect Tense: 1. Ik heb een zusje. 2. Wij hebben een mooi huis. 3. Jij hebt een broer. 4. Hij heeft drie kinderen. 5. Jullie hebben een tafel. 6. Zij heeft twee zusjes. 7. Zij hebben een huis. Verbs expressing motion or change of state: The verbs `komen’ (to come), `gaan'(to go), `worden'(to become), `gebeuren'(to happen), `zijn’, and certain other verbs ,if they express motion to a destination, such as `fietsen’, `zwemmen'(to swim), `rijden'(to ride), `vertrekken'(to leave or depart), `lopen'(to walk), etc. take the helping verb `zijn’. ik ben gekomen, jij bent gekomen, hij is gekomen, etc. ik ben gegaan, jij bent gegaan, hij is gegaan, etc. ik ben (naar school (to school)) gefietst, etc. Also: de trein is vertrokken (the train has left), etc. het is gebeurd (it has happened), etc. het is koud geworden (it has become cold), etc. Also: hij is geboren (he was born), etc. hij is gestorven (he has died), etc. zij is getrouwd (she was married), etc. Exercise 34. Give the correct form of the verb, in the Present Tense, the Past Tense, and the Present Perfect Tense: 1. Ik (zijn) (g)een meisje. 2. Mary (zijn) ook een meisje. 3. (Zijn) jij een man of een vrouw? 4. Hij  (hebben) een goed boek. 5. (Hebben) jij  ook een mooi boek? 6. De jongen (wandelen) in de tuin. 7. Mary (werken) in de stad. 8. (Luisteren) jullie naar de radio? 9. Philip (luisteren) niet. 10. Hij (praten) te veel. 11. De atleet (oefenen) elke morgen (morning). 12. Waar (planten) je vader de boom? 13. Ik (kennen (to know a person) de vrouw niet. 14. Suzan (branden) haar vinger. 15. (Zagen (to saw, cut) jij het hout voor het vuur? 16. (Wonen) (to live) je vriendin in Grand Rapids? 17. Nee, zij (wonen) in Grand Haven. 18. Ik (pakken) het boek van de tafel. 19. Waar (zijn) het boek? 20. Het kind (spelen) (to play) buiten (outside). 21. Waar (maken) ze auto’s? 22. Zij (singular) (studeren) Nederlands. 23. De student (beantwoorden) de vraag (question). 24. (Oefenen) jij elke (every) dag op de piano? 25. De speler (raken) (to touch) de bal (ball).
No. Present tense Past tense Present Perfect tense
1 Ik ben (g)een meisje. Ik was (g)een meisje. Ik ben (g)een meisje geweest.
2 Mary is ook een meisje. Mary was ook een meisje. Mary is ook een meisje geweest.
3 Ben jij een man of een vrouw? Was jij een man of een vrouw? Ben jij een man of een vrouw geweest?
4 Hij heeft een goed boek. Hij had een goed boek. Hij heeft een goed boek gehad.
5 Heb jij ook een mooi boek? Had jij ook een mooi boek? Heb jij ook een mooi boek gehad?
6 De jongen wandelt in de tuin. De jongen wandelde in de tuin. De jongen heeft in de tuin gewandeld.
7 Mary werkt in de stad Mary werkte in de stad Mary heeft in de stad gewerkt.
8 Luisteren jullie naar de radio? Luisterden jullie naar de radio? Hebben jullie naar de radio geluisterd?
9 Philip luistert niet. Philip luisterde niet. Philip heeft niet geluisterd.
10 Hij praat te veel. Hij praatte te veel. Hij heeft te veel gepraat.
11 De atleet oefent elke morgen. De atleet oefende elke morgen. De atleet heeft elke morgen geoefend.
12 Waar plant je vader de boom? Waar plantte je vader de boom? Waar heeft je vader de boom geplant?
13 Ik ken de vrouw niet. Ik kende de vrouw niet. Ik heb de vrouw niet gekend.
14 Suzan brandt haar vinger. Suzan brandde haar vinger. Suzan heeft haar vinger gebrand.
15 Zaag jij het hout voor het vuur? Zaagde jij het hout voor het vuur? Heb jij het hout voor het vuur gezaagd?
16 Woont je vriendin in Grand Rapids? Woonde je vriendin in Grand Rapids? Heeft je vriendin in Grand Rapids gewoond?
17 Nee, zij woont in Grand Haven. Nee, zij woonde in Grand Haven. Nee, zij heeft in Grand Haven gewoond.
18 Ik pak het boek van de tafel. Ik pakte het boek van de tafel. Ik heb het boek van de tafel gepakt.
19 Waar is het boek? Waar was het boek? Waar is het boek geweest?
20 Het kind speelt buiten. Het kind speelde buiten. Het kind heeft buiten gespeeld.
21 Waar maken ze auto’s? Waar maakten ze auto’s? Waar hebben ze auto’s gemaakt?
22 Zij studeert Nederlands. Zij studeerde Nederlands. Zij heeft Nederlands gestudeerd.
23 De student beantwoordt de vraag. De student beantwoordde de vraag. De student heeft de vraag beantwoord.
24 Oefen jij elke dag op de piano? Oefende jij elke dag op de piano? Heb jij elke dag op de piano geoefend?
25 De speler raakt de bal. De speler raakte de bal. De speler heeft de bal geraakt.
Exercise 35. Change the following sentences first a) into the Past, then b) into the Present Perfect Tense. 1. Meneer Van Dam werkt in Amsterdam. 2. Hij heeft een mooi huis. 3. Hij woont niet in de stad. 4. Is zijn vrouw ziek? 5. Mevrouw Van Dam fietst elke dag naar de stad. (motion) 6. Haar dochter (daughter) gaat(ging – gegaan: to go) ook naar de stad. 7. Zij praten met de bakker. 8. De bakker bakt (bakte – gebakken) heerlijk (delicious) brood. 9. Het regent vaak (often) in Nederland. 10. De studenten luisteren naar (to) de leraar (teacher). 11. Zij kennen de goede antwoorden. 12. Ik hoor een man in het huis. 13. Mijn zuster leert elke dag veel nieuwe woorden. 14. Wij oefenen in de garage. 15. De groente van de markt smaakt heerlijk. 16. Lenen jullie altijd geld bij de bank? 17. De baby speelt in de kinderkamer. 18. Vader parkeert zijn auto voor de voordeur. 19. Kook jij de groente altijd zo lang? 20. De vrouwen winkelen in de stad. 21. Het vuur brandt al(already) een uur. 22. Ik zeil graag(with pleasure) op het IJsselmeer. 23. Waarom (why) beantwoord je mijn vraag niet? 24. Zij halen (to fetch) de fiets uit (from) de schuur (shed). 25. Wim plaagt de hond.
1 Meneer Van Dam werkt in Amsterdam. Meneer Van Dam werkte in Amsterdam. Meneer Van Dam heeft in Amsterdam gewerkt.
2 Hij heeft een mooi huis. Hij had een mooi huis. Hij heeft een mooi huis gehad.
3 Hij woont niet in de stad. Hij woonde niet in de stad. Hij heeft niet in de stad gewoond.
4 Is zijn vrouw ziek? Was  zijn vrouw ziek? Is zijn vrouw ziek geweest?
5 Mevrouw Van Dam fietst elke dag naar de stad. Mevrouw Van Dam fietste elke dag naar de stad. Mevrouw Van Dam is elke dag naar de stad gefietst.
6 Haar dochter gaat ook naar de stad. Haar dochter ging ook naar de stad. Haar dochter is ook naar de stad gegaan.
7 Zij praten met de bakker. Zij praatten met de bakker. Zij hebben met de bakker gepraat.
8 De bakker bakt heerlijk brood. De bakker bakte heerlijk brood. De bakker heeft heerlijk brood gebakken.
9 Het regent vaak in Nederland. Het regende vaak in Nederland. Het heeft vaak in Nederland geregend.
10 De studenten luisteren naar de leraar. De studenten luisterden naar de leraar. De studenten hebben naar de leraar geluisterd.
11 Zij kennen de goede antwoorden. Zij kenden de goede antwoorden. Zij hebben de goede antwoorden gekend.
12 Ik hoor een man in het huis. Ik hoorde een man in het huis. Ik heb een man in het huis gehoord.
13 Mijn zuster leert elke dag veel nieuwe woorden. Mijn zuster leerde elke dag veel nieuwe woorden. Mijn zuster heeft elke dag veel nieuwe woorden geleerd.
14 Wij oefenen in de garage. Wij oefenden in de garage. Wij hebben in de garage geoefend.
15 De groente van de markt smaakt heerlijk. De groente van de markt smaakte heerlijk. De groente van de markt heeft heerlijk gesmaakt.
16 Lenen jullie altijd geld bij de bank? Leenden jullie altijd geld bij de bank? Hebben jullie altijd geld bij de bank geleend?
17 De baby speelt in de kinderkamer. De baby speelde in de kinderkamer. De baby heeft in de kinderkamer gespeeld.
18 Vader parkeert zijn auto voor de voordeur. Vader parkeerde zijn auto voor de voordeur. Vader heeft zijn auto voor de voordeur geparkeerd.
19 Kook jij de groente altijd zo lang? Kookte jij de groente altijd zo lang? Heb jij de groente altijd zo lang gekookt?
20 De vrouwen winkelen in de stad. De vrouwen winkelden in de stad. De vrouwen hebben in de stad gewinkeld.
21 Het vuur brandt al een uur. Het vuur brandde al een uur. Het vuur heeft al een uur gebrand.
22 Ik zeil graag op het IJsselmeer. Ik zeilde graag op het IJsselmeer Ik heb graag op het IJsselmeer gezeild.
23 Waarom beantwoord je mijn vraag niet? Waarom beantwoordde je mijn vraag niet? Waarom heb je mijn vraag niet beantwoord?
24 Zij halen de fiets uit de schuur. Zij haalden de fiets uit de schuur. Zij hebben de fiets uit de schuur gehaald.
25 Wim plaagt de hond. Wim plaagde de hond. Wim heeft de hond geplaagd.

Inversion of subject and verb

The basic order of a Dutch sentence is: 2. verb 3. other elements of the sentence. If an adverb or other elements for some reason precedes the subject, the order of subject – verb is inverted. 1. 2. Mevrouw Van Dam heeft drie kinderen. 2. 1. Nu(now) heeft mevrouw Van Dam drie kinderen.   Exercise 36. Rewrite the following sentences, adding first `vandaag’ (today) and then `gisteren’ (yesterday – Present Perfect Tense) to the beginning: 1. Hij woont in Leiden. 2. Wij hebben drie kinderen. 3. Het kind speelt in de tuin (yard). 4. Henk luistert naar(to) de radio. 5. Hannie oefent op(on) de piano. 6. Vader werkt in de tuin. 7. Jullie fietsen naar Amsterdam. 25 9. Zij parkeren de auto in de garage. 10.Moeder kookt het eten (the food).
1 Hij woont in Leiden. Vandaag woont hij in Leiden. Gisteren heeft hij in Leiden gewoond.
2 Wij hebben drie kinderen. Vandaag hebben wij drie kinderen. Gisteren hebben wij drie kinderen gehad.
3 Het kind speelt in de tuin. Vandaag speelt het kind in de tuin. Gisteren heeft het kind in de tuin gespeeld.
4 Henk luistert naar de radio. Vandaag luistert Henk naar de radio. Gisteren heeft Henk naar de radio geluisterd.
5 Hannie oefent op de piano. Vandaag oefent Hannie op de piano. Gisteren heeft Hannie op de piano geoefend.
6 Vader werkt in de tuin. Vandaag werkt vader in de tuin. Gisteren heeft vader in de tuin gewerkt.
7 Jullie fietsen naar Amsterdam. Vandaag fietsen jullie naar Amsterdam. Gisteren zijn jullie naar Amsterdam gefietst.
8 ?? ?? ??
9 Zij parkeren de auto in de garage. Vandaag parkeren zij de auto in de garage. Gisteren hebben zij de auto in de garage geparkeerd.
10 Moeder kookt het eten. Vandaag kookt moeder het eten. Gisteren heeft moeder het eten gekookt.
Not Niet: `Niet’ normally follows the verb: Wij gaan naar huis. Wij gaan niet naar huis. As a rule `niet’ precedes the adverb it negates: Hij eet veel (he eats much) – Hij eet niet veel (he doesn’t eat much) `Niet’ usually follows the object: Ik zie (see) hem – Ik zie hem niet. The positive form of `niet’ is `wel’. Example: Henk werkt niet. Wim werkt wel. (Henk does not work. Wim does.) Henk houdt niet van fietsen. Wim houdt wel van fietsen. (Wim wel.)   Exercise 37. Give the correct form of the verb, then rewrite the sentences in a. the Past and b. the Present Perfect Tense. 1. Vandaag (koken) hij aardappelen en groente. 2. Jij (luisteren) niet goed naar mij. 3. Wim (oefenen) vijf keer per week. 4. De atleten (wonen) in het olympisch dorp(village). 5. Zij (praten) met hun trainers. 6. Ik (horen) niet veel. 7. (Branden) het vuur goed? 8. De kinderen (spelen) op straat. 9. Het (regenen) de hele dag. 10. In de zomer (zeilen) wij veel.
No. Present tense Past tense Present Perfect tense
1 Vandaag kookt hij aardappelen en groente. Vandaag kookte hij aardappelen en groente. Vandaag heeft hij aardappelen en groente gekookt.
2 Jij luistert niet goed naar mij. Jij luisterde niet goed naar mij. Jij hebt niet goed naar mij geluisterd.
3 Wim oefent vijf keer per week. Wim oefende vijf keer per week. Wim heeft vijf keer per week geoefend.
4 De atleten wonen in het olympisch dorp. De atleten woonden in het olympisch dorp. De atleten hebben in het olympisch dorp gewoond.
5 Zij praten met hun trainers. Zij praatten met hun trainers. Zij hebben met hun trainers gepraat.
6 Ik hoor niet veel. Ik hoorde niet veel. Ik heb niet veel gehoord.
7 Brandt het vuur goed? Brandde het vuur goed? Heeft het vuur goed gebrand?
8 De kinderen spelen op straat. De kinderen speelden op straat. De kinderen hebben op straat gespeeld.
9 Het regent de hele dag. Het regende de hele dag. Het heeft de hele dag geregend.
10 In de zomer zeilen wij veel. In de zomer zeilden wij veel. In de zomer hebben wij veel gezeild.
 New words 3   
de winkel the store 
het kantoor the office
de stad the city
het eten the food, meal
de aardappel the potato
de school the school
de groente the vegetables
de muziek the music
de piano the piano
het uur the hour
het huiswerk the homework
de kilometer the kilometer
   
tekenen to draw
fietsen to bike
houden van to like
doen to do
spelen to play
koken to cook, boil
winkelen to go shopping
oefenen to exercise, train, practice
buitenshuis outside the house
gisteren yesterday
vanmorgen this morning
middag afternoon
avond evening
nacht night (tonight)
verleden week last week
jaar year
maand month
elk(e) each
ook also
bij at
met with
heerlijk delicious
eerst first
verder further
zoveel so much, many 
toen then (past tense)
duizend(en) thousand(s)
waar where
vandaag today
maandag Monday
dinsdag Tuesday
woensdag Wednesday
donderdag Thursday
vrijdag Friday
zaterdag Saturday
zondag Sunday
Duitsland Germany
Frankrijk France
Spanje Spain
Zwitserland Switzerland
Oostenrijk Austria
Rusland Russia
Belgie Belgium
Saturday at the van Dam’s   ZATERDAG BIJ DE VAN DAMS
Meneer Van Dam werkt in een kantoor. Zijn kantoor is in de stad. Vandaag werkt hij niet: het is zaterdag. Gisteren heeft hij wel gewerkt. Mevrouw Van Dam werkt niet buitenshuis. Ze is vanmorgen naar de winkel geweest. De kinderen zijn vandaag niet naar school geweest. Hannie is met haar moeder naar de winkel geweest. Zij heeft ook getekend. Zij houdt van tekenen. Zij heeft vanmorgen een mooi huis getekend. Wim houdt van fietsen. Hij heeft verleden jaar duizenden kilometers gefietst. Eerst is hij naar Belgie en Duitsland gefietst. Toen is hij naar Frankrijk en Zwitserland gefietst. Henk houdt niet van fietsen. Hij houdt van muziek. Hij speelt piano. Hij oefent elke dag. Hij heeft vanmorgen twee en een half uur geoefend. Moeder houdt niet zo veel van huiswerk. Zij houdt van koken. Zij kookt heerlijk. Gisteren heeft zij groente en aard- appelen gekookt. Het smaakte heerlijk.
Exercise 38. Vertaal de bovenstaande zinnen.
1 Meneer van Dam werkt in een kantoor. Mr. van Dam works in an office.
2 Zijn kantoor is in de stad. His office is in the city.
3 Nee, hij heeft vandaag niet gewerkt. No, he didn’t work today.
4 Ja, hij heeft gisteren gewerkt. Yes, he worked yesterday.
5 Vandaag is Mevrouw van Dam naar de winkel geweest. Today Mrs. van Dam was at the shop.
6 Ja, zij heeft gewinkeld. Yes, she went shopping.
7 Ja, Hannie heeft ook gewinkeld. Yes, Hannie also went shopping.
8 Nee, Wim heeft niet gewinkeld. No, Wim did not go shopping.
9 Verleden jaar heeft Wim duizenden kilometers gefietst. Last year Wim cycled thousands of kilometres.
10 Vanmorgen heeft Henk op de piano geoefend. Henk practiced the piano this morning.
Exercise 39. Beantwoord de vragen: 1. Waar werkt meneer Van Dam? 2. Waar is zijn kantoor? 3. Heeft meneer Van Dam vandaag gewerkt? 4. Heeft hij gisteren gewerkt? 5. Wat heeft mevrouw Van Dam vanmorgen gedaan? 6. Heeft ze gewinkeld? 7. Heeft Hannie ook gewinkeld? 8. Heeft Wim ook gewinkeld? 9. Wat heeft Wim verleden jaar gedaan? 10. Wat heeft Henk vanmorgen gedaan? 1. Werk jij in een kantoor? 2. Heb je vanmorgen gestudeerd? 3. Heb je gisteren gewerkt? 4. Houd je van fietsen? 5. Houd je van muziek? 6. Houd je van winkelen? 7. Heb je gisteravond gewinkeld? 8. Heb je zaterdag gewinkeld? 9. Houd je van koken? 10. Heb je gisteren gekookt? Mr. van Dam works in an office. His office is in the city. He is not working today: it is Saturday. Yesterday he worked. Mrs. van Dam doesn’t work outside the house. She was at the shop this morning. The children were not at school today. Hannie was at the shop with her mother. She also drew. She likes to draw. She drew a pretty house this morning. Wim likes cycling. He cycled thousands of kilometers last year. First he cycled to Belgium and Germany. Then he cycled to France and Switzerland. Henk doesn’t like cycling. He likes music. He plays piano. He practices every day. He practiced for two and a half hours this morning. Mother doesn’t like housework so much. She likes to cook. She cooks deliciously. Yesterday she cooked vegetables and potatoes. It tasted delicious. Exercise 40. Change the following sentences into a. the Past Tense, b. the Present Perfect Tense, and then translate a. into English. 1. Wij wonen in Michigan. 2. Mijn ouders (parents) hebben een mooi huis in de stad. 3. Haar broer woont ook in Michigan. 4. Hij heeft een vrouw. 5. Hij en zijn vrouw hebben drie kinderen. 6. Ik werk altijd (always) in de tuin (garden). 7. Ik ben student. 8. Mijn vriend en ik studeren in de bibliotheek (library). 9. Wij fietsen naar school. 10. Wij zijn goede vrienden. 11. Wim speelt piano. 12. Zijn zuster heet Hannie. (heten – heette – geheten: to be called) 13. Zij praat met (with) Wim. 14. Hun vader en moeder praten ook. 15. Moeder kookt het eten (food). 16. Het eten smaakt lekker. 17. Henk plaagt zijn broer. (plagen – to tease) 18. Zij lenen onze auto. 19. Vader parkeert zijn auto in de garage. (parkeren – to park) 20. Zij poetsen hun schoenen (shoes). (poetsen – to brush) 21. Moeder en haar dochter winkelen (to shop) in de stad (city). 22. Hoeveel kosten (kostte – gekost: to cost) de boeken? 23. Wij zijn niet rijk (rich). 24. Heb jij ook geen geld (money)? 25. Hun ouders hebben wel veel geld.
Past tense Present Perfect tense English of past tense
1 Wij woonden in Michigan. Wij hebben in Michigan gewoond. We lived in Michigan.
2 Mijn ouders hadden een mooi huis in de stad. Mijn ouders hebben een mooi huis in de stad gehad. My parents had a lovely house in town.
3 Haar broer woonde ook in Michigan. Haar broer heeft ook in Michigan gewoond. Her brother also lived in Michigan.
4 Hij had een vrouw. Hij heeft een vrouw gehad. He had a wife.
5 Hij en zijn vrouw hadden drie kinderen. Hij en zijn vrouw hebben drie kinderen gehad. He and his wife had three children.
6 Ik werkte altijd in de tuin. Ik heb altijd in de tuin gewerkt. I always worked in the garden.
7 Ik was student. Ik ben student geweest. I was a student.
8 Mijn vriend en ik studeerden in de bibliotheek. Mijn vriend en ik hebben in de bibliotheek gestudeerd. My friend and I studied in the library.
9 Wij fietsten naar school. Wij zijn naar school gefietst. We cycled to school.
10 Wij waren goede vrienden. Wij zijn goede vrienden geweest. We were good friends.
11 Wim speelde piano. Wim heeft piano gespeeld. Wim played the piano.
12 Zijn zuster heette Hannie. Zijn zuster heeft Hannie geheten. His sister was called Hannie.
13 Zij praatte met Wim. Zij heeft met Wim gepraat. She talked with Wim.
14 Hun vader en moeder praatten ook. Hun vader en moeder hebben ook gepraat. Their father and mother also talked.
15 Moeder kookte het eten. Moeder heeft het eten gekookt. Mother cooked the food.
16 Het eten smaakte lekker. Het eten heeft lekker gesmaakt. The food tasted nice.
17 Henk plaagde zijn broer. Henk heeft zijn broer geplaagd. Henk teased his brother.
18 Zij leenden onze auto. Zij hebben onze auto geleend. They borrowed our car.
19 Vader parkeerde zijn auto in de garage. Vader heeft zijn auto in de garage geparkeerd. Father parked his car in the garage.
20 Zij poetsten hun schoenen Zij hebben hun schoenen gepoetst. They brushed their shoes.
21 Moeder en haar dochter winkelden in de stad. Moeder en haar dochter hebben in de stad gewinkeld. Mother and her daughter shopped in the city.
22 Hoeveel kostten de boeken? Hoeveel hebben de boeken gekost? How much did the books cost?
23 Wij waren niet rijk. Wij zijn niet rijk geweest. We were not rich.
24 Had jij ook geen geld? Heb jij ook geen geld gehad? Didn’t you also have any money?
25 Hun ouders hadden wel veel geld. Hun ouders hebben wel veel geld gehad. Their parents had a lot of money.
4.1 More weak verbs More weak verbs:
Infinitive Stem Past Indefinite Past Participle
praten (to talk) praat praatte(n) gepraat
studeren (to study) studeer studeerde(n) gestudeerd
leren (to learn, teach) leer leerde(n) geleerd
kleden (to dress) kleed kleedde(n) gekleed
heten (to be called) heet heette(n) geheten
leggen (to lay, put) leg legde(n) gelegd
bakken (to bake, fry) bak bakte(n) gebakken
       
betalen (to pay) betaal betaalde(n) betaald
beantwoorden (to answer) beantwoord beantwoordde(n) beantwoord
betekenen (to mean) beteken betekende(n) betekend
       
vertellen (to tell) vertel vertelde(n) verteld
verkleden (to change) verkleed verkleedde(n) verkleed
verbranden (to burn) verbrand verbrandde(n) verbrand
Some common strong verbs Some common strong verbs: Note: The term `strong verb’ signifies that the vowel in the stem of the verb changes when the tense changes.
Infinitive Stem Past Indefinite Past Participle
doen (to do) doe deed (deden) gedaan
lopen (to walk) loop liep(en) gelopen
zeggen (to say) zeg zei(den) gezegd
zien (to see) zie zag(en) gezien
liggen (to lie) lig lag(en) gelegen
zitten (to sit) zit zat(en) gezeten
staan (to stand) sta stond(en) gestaan
gaan (to go) ga ging(en) gegaan
slaan (to hit) sla sloeg(en) geslagen
rijden (to ride, drive) rijd reed (reden) gereden
vragen (to ask) vraag vroeg(en) gevraagd
geven (to give) geef gaf (gaven) gegeven
kopen (to buy) koop kocht(en) gekocht
komen (to come) kom kwam(en) gekomen
weten (to know) weet wist(en) geweten
       
schrijven (to write) schrijf schreef (schreven) geschreven
blijven (to remain) blijf bleef (bleven) gebleven
krijgen (to get, receive) krijg kreeg (kregen) gekregen
       
lezen (to read) lees las (lazen) gelezen
       
onthouden (to remember) onthoud onthield(en) onthouden
ontdekken (to discover) ontdek ontdekte(n) ontdekt
ontvangen (to receive) ontvang ontving(en) ontvangen
Note: The `v’ becomes an `f’ at the end of a word. The `z’ becomes an `s’ at the end of a word. If an infinitive begins with a prefix, eg. be-, ver, ont-, the Past Participle does not take ge. Exercise 41. a. Give the correct form of the verb. b. Translate a. into English. c. Rewrite a. in the Past Tense. d. Rewrite a. in the Present Perfect Tense. 1. Moeder (lopen) naar de winkel. 2. Zij (doen) boodschappen. 3. Zij (kopen) brood. 4. De bakker en moeder (zeggen) `Goede Morgen’. 5. Moeder (gaan) naar huis. 6. Vader (blijven) thuis vandaag. 7. Hij (lezen) een goed boek. 8. Henk en Wim (komen) thuis. 9. Zij (zijn) moe. 10. Henk (hebben) ook een beetje hoofdpijn. 11. De stoel (staan) achter de tafel. 12. Ik (zien) hem niet zo goed. 13. Waar (liggen) je boek? 14. Hannie (zitten) aan de tafel. 15. Waarom (slaan) jij je zusje? 16. Vader (rijden) met de auto naar zijn werk. 17. Wim (vragen) hem waar hij (werken). 18. Vader (geven) hem een duidelijk antwoord. 19. Wim (weten) niet waar zijn vaders kantoor (zijn). 20. Krijgen) hij een goed salaris?. 21. Hannie (schrijven) elke week een lange brief. 22. Haar vriendin (lezen) de brief twee keer. 23. Zij (onthouden) elke woord in de brief. 24. Hij (ontdekken) een onbekend (unknown) eiland (island). 25. Henk (ontvangen) een mooie prijs (prize) voor zijn werk. Adjectives: Some common adjectives, with their opposites, are:
mooi (nice)  lelijk (ugly)
groot (big)  klein (small)
hoog (high)  laag (low)
snel (fast)  langzaam (slow)
goed (good)  slecht (bad)
duur (expensive)  goedkoop (cheap, inexpensive)
open (open)  dicht (closed)
breed (wide)  smal (narrow)
moeilijk (difficult) (ge)makkelijk (easy)
lang (long)  kort (short)
licht (light) donker (dark), zwaar (heavy)
dun(thin)  dik (thick)
   
mogelijk (possible)  onmogelijk (impossible)
interessant (interesting)  oninteressant (uninteresting)
belangrijk (important)  onbelangrijk (unimportant)
vriendelijk (friendly)  onvriendelijk (unfriendly
Inflection of adjectives: Adjectives are inflected after definite articles(de/het): de grote man, de mooie fiets, de dure piano. het grote huis, het vriendelijke meisje. Adjectives are also inflected after the indefinite article een if the noun is a de-word, as in: een grote man, een mooie fiets, een dure piano. Adjectives are not inflected after een if the noun is a het- word, eg.: een groot huis, een vriendelijk meisje. Exercise 42. Give the correct form of the adjective, first beginning with the given definite article, then with `een’. groot – de man duur – de pen mooi – het kind goedkoop – het potlood moeilijk – het boek interessant – de stad vriendelijk – de vrouw goed – het meisje snel – de fiets breed – het land Numerals Telwoorden: 21. een en twintig 30. dertig 42. twee en veertig 86. zes en tachtig 100. honderd 579. vijfhonderd negen en zeventig 1000. duizend 1000 000 miljoen 6000 000,000 zesmiljard Geld(money): New words 4    Nieuwe woorden:
boodschappen (doen) (to run) errands, shopping, message
meestal usually
(het) druk (hebben) (to be) busy
wit white
bruin brown
volkoren full (whole) wheat
weinig little, few
nog still, yet
volgend(e) following, next
tegen to, against
daar there
erg very
vers fresh
lekker good, tasty, nice
de slager the butcher
het varkensvlees pork
de worst sausage
de biefstuk steak
het briefje, biljet the bank note, bill
de kilo kilo(gram)
het pond pound
de groet the greeting
de week the week
(goeden)dag! good day, hi, goodbye
hoe gaat het? how are you?
het gaat wel not bad, reasonable
goed well, good
slecht bad, poor(ly)
terug back
thuis at home
tot till, until
alstublieft please, here you are
‘s maandags (on) Mondays
groeten to greet
begrijpen to understand, comprehend
Shopping      BOODSCHAPPEN DOEN
‘s Maandags doet Moeder boodschappen. Ze gaat meestal op de fiets. Gisteren heeft ze ook boodschappen gedaan. Gisteren was het maandag. Eerst ging ze naar de bakker. Ze groette de bakker vriendelijk: `Goedemorgen’, zei ze tegen hem. De bakker beantwoordde haar groet: `Dag, mevrouw Van Dam’, zei hij. `Hoe gaat het vandaag?’. `Het gaat wel’, zei mevrouw Van Dam. `Ik heb het erg druk. Hebt u lekker brood vandaag?’ `Vanmorgen gebakken’, antwoordde de bakker. `Heerlijk vers.’ `Geeft u mij maar een wit brood en een bruin brood’, zei Moeder. Ik heb nog een half volkoren brood thuis’. 75′ zei de bakker. Moeder gaf de bakker f.5 en de bakker gaf haar een gulden en een kwartje terug. Nu ging Moeder naar de slager. Daar kocht ze vlees. Ze kocht twee en een half pond varkensvlees, drie en een half pond worst en een kilo biefstuk. 52 48′, zei de slager. `Alstublieft’, zei Moeder. `En bedankt. Tot volgende week’. Ze gaf de slager zes briefjes van tien en ze kreeg drie rijksdaalders en twee centen terug. `Dag Mevrouw’, zei de slager. `De groeten thuis.’
Exercise 44. Translate the text above into English. Exercise 45. Beantwoord de volgende vragen:
  1. Wanneer doet Moeder boodschappen?
  2. Hoe gaat ze naar de winkel?
  3. Gaat ze altijd op de fiets?
  4. Wat was het gisteren?
  5. Wat zei ze tegen de bakker?
  6. Wat vroeg ze aan de bakker?
  7. Wanneer heeft de bakker brood gebakken?
  8. Wat heeft Moeder gekocht?
  9. Hoeveel gaf ze de bakker?
  10. Hoeveel kreeg ze terug?
  11. Hoeveel worst heeft Moeder gekocht?
  12. Hoeveel gaf ze de slager?
  13. Wat kreeg ze terug?
  14. Hoe groette de slager Moeder?
  15. Ging Moeder toen naar huis?
  1. Wanneer doe jij je boodschappen?
  2. Waar doe je je boodschappen?
  3. Eet je wit, bruin of volkoren brood?
  4. Eet je veel vlees?
  5. Hoeveel kost het varkensvlees?
Exercise 46. Give a. the correct form of the verb and then b. rewrite the sentences in the past tense.
  1. (Hebben) jullie een mooi huis?
  2. Ja, ons huis (zijn) heel mooi.
  3. Hoeveel kamers (hebben) jullie huis?
  4. In ons huis (zijn) vijf kamers.
  5. Ik (luisteren) gisteren de hele dag naar de radio.
  6. (Luisteren) jij elke dag naar de radio?
  7. Vader (werken) elke dag in de tuin.
  8. De kinderen (spelen) de hele dag buiten.
  9. Ik (lenen) nooit geld bij de bank.
  10. Hoe (smaken) Duits (German) brood?
  11. Soms (koken) Vader het eten.
  12. Waarom (plagen) jij je kleine zusje?
  13. Zij (she) (zijn) nog nooit (never yet) in New York.
  14. Vader (hebben) geen grote auto.
  15. Het vliegtuig (gaan) naar Chicago.
  16. Hannie (winkelen) de hele dag.
  17. Wij (leren) niet veel nieuws vandaag.
  18. Ik (leren) inderdaad (indeed) ook niet zo veel.
  19. Henk (leggen) zijn boeken op de tafel.
  20. Wie (betalen) vanmorgen voor de koffie?
  21. Wim (betalen) voor de koffie.
  22. Hij (vragen) de rekening (bill).
  23. (Studeren) jij vandaag al veel?
  24. Mijn vriend (verbranden) zijn hand.
  25. Vader (kopen) een mooie nieuwe auto.
  26. In het weekend (schrijven) ik veel brieven.
  27. Dan (lezen) ik de brieven.
  28. Dan (geven) ik de brieven aan mijn moeder.
  29. Ik (rijden) vaak (often) op mijn fiets.
  30. Hoelaat (what time) (komen) je vader thuis?
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French Irregular -RE Verbs

French Irregular -RE Verbs

Conjugation patterns for irregular French -re verbs

Irregular verbs are so named because they do not follow any of the regular conjugation patterns. But that doesn’t mean that every irregular French verb is unique; many of them share a conjugation pattern with at least one other verb. By learning how to conjugate one verb in a group and memorizing the list of similar verbs, you’ll be able to conjugate all the verbs in that group.

FRENCH HAS FIVE IRREGULAR -RE VERB PATTERNS.

  1. The first group includes prendre and all of its derivations (comprendre, etc). These verbs drop the d in all three plural forms and also double the n in the third person plural.
  1. The second group includes battre and all of its derivations (débattre, etc). These verbs drop the stem’s final t in the singular forms.
  2. The third group includes mettre and all of its derivations (promettre, etc). These verbs are conjugated just like battre verbs in the present tense, but I consider them a separate group because they are conjugated differently in the passé simple, imperfect subjunctive, and past participle. (As you can see in the table below, the first three groups take the same present tense verb endings.)
  3. The fourth group of irregular -RE verbs includes rompre and its derivations (corrompre, etc). These verbs are conjugated exactly like regular -RE verbswith the single exception of the third person singular present tense, which adds a t after the stem.
  4. The fifth group of irregular -RE verbs includes all verbs that end in –aindre (e.g., craindre), –eindre (like peindre), and –oindre (such as joindre). These verbs drop the d in the root in all forms, and add a g in front of the n in the plural forms.
 The rest of the irregular -RE verbs have unique or unwieldy conjugations, so you have to memorize each one separately. Try working on one verb a day until you’ve mastered them all: absoudre, boire, clore, conclure, conduire, confire, connaître, coudre, croire, dire, écrire, faire, inscrire, lire, moudre, naître, plaire, rire, suivre, vivre.

Click any verb for the complete table of conjugations in all of the simple tenses and moods:

Group 1 Group 2 Group 3
Pronoun Endings prendre > pren(d)- battre > bat(t) mettre > met(t)
je -s prends bats mets
tu -s prends bats mets
il prend bat met
nous   -ons prenons battons mettons
vous -ez prenez battez mettez
ils -ent prennent battent mettent
Group 4 Group 5
Pronoun Endings rompre > romp- craindre > crain-/craign-
je -s romps crains
tu -s romps crains
il -t rompt craint
nous   -ons rompons craignons
vous -ez rompez craignez
ils -ent rompent craignent

French Irregular -RE Verbs

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French Regular -RE Verbs

How to conjugate regular -RE verbs in French There are five main kinds of verbs in French: regular -ER, -IR, -RE; stem-changing; and irregular. Once you’ve learned the rules of conjugation for each of the first three kinds of verbs, you should have no problem conjugating regular verbs in each of those categories. The smallest category of regular French verbs -RE verbs. The verb form that ends in -RE is called the infinitive (in English, the infinitive is the verb preceded by the word “to”), and -RE is the infinitive ending.

The verb with the infinitive ending removed is called the stem or radical. To conjugate -RE verbs, remove the infinitive ending to find the stem and add the endings in the table below.

FRENCH REGULAR -RE VERB CONJUGATION

To conjugate an -RE verb in the present tense, remove the infinitive ending and then add the appropriate endings. For example, here are the present tense conjugations for the regular -RE verbs descendre (to descend), perdre (to lose), and vendre (to sell):
Pronoun Ending descendre > descend- perdre > perd- vendre > vend-
 je  -s descends perds vends
 tu  -s descends perds vends
 il  – descend perd vend
 nous  -ons descendons perdons vendons
 vous  -ez descendez perdez vendez
 ils  -ent descendent perdent vendent
Regular -RE verbs share conjugation patterns in all tenses and moods. French regular -RE verbs are a small group of French verbs which share a conjugation pattern. Here are the most common regular -RE verbs: attendre   to wait (for) défendre   to defend descendre   to descend entendre   to hear How to conjugate regular -RE verbs in French étendre   to stretch fondre   to melt pendre   to hang, suspend perdre   to lose prétendre   to claim rendre   to give back, return répandre   to spread, scatter répondre   to answer vendre   to sell How to conjugate regular -RE verbs in French
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French Regular -IR Verbs

How to conjugate regular -IR verbs in French There are five main kinds of verbs in French: regular -ER, -IR, -RE; stem-changing; and irregular. Once you’ve learned the rules of conjugation for each of the first three kinds of verbs, you should have no problem conjugating regular verbs in each of those categories. Regular -IR verbs are the second largest category of French verbs. The verb form that ends in -IR is called the infinitive (in English, the infinitive is the verb preceded by the word “to”), and -IR is the infinitive ending.

The verb with the infinitive ending removed is called the stem or radical. To conjugate -IR verbs, remove the infinitive ending to find the stem and add the endings in the table below.

FRENCH REGULAR -IR VERB CONJUGATIONS

To conjugate an -IR verb in the present tense, remove the infinitive ending and then add the appropriate endings. For example, here are the present tense conjugations for the regular -IR verbs choisir (to choose), finir (to finish), and réussir (to succeed):
Pronoun Ending choisir > chois- finir > fin- réussir > réuss-
 je  -is choisis finis réussis
 tu  -is choisis finis réussis
 il  -it choisit finit réussit
 nous  -issons choisissons finissons réussissons
 vous  -issez choisissez finissez réussissez
 ils  -issent choisissent finissent réussissent
Regular -IR verbs share conjugation patterns in all tenses and moods. How to conjugate regular -IR verbs in French

SOME COMMON FRENCH REGULAR -IR VERBS

French regular -IR verbs, the second largest group of French verbs, share a conjugation pattern.

Here are just a few of the most common regular -IR verbs:

abolir   to abolish agir   to act avertir   to warn

How to conjugate regular -IR verbs in French

bâtir   to build bénir   to bless choisir   to choose établir   to establish étourdir   to stun, deafen, make dizzy finir   to finish grossir   to gain weight, get fat guérir   to cure, heal, recover maigrir   to lose weight, get thin nourrir   to feed, nourish obéir   to obey punir   to punish réfléchir   to reflect, think remplir   to to fill réussir   to succeed rougir   to blush, turn red vieillir   to grow old

How to conjugate regular -IR verbs in French

How to conjugate regular -IR verbs in French

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French Regular -ER Verbs

How to conjugate regular -ER verbs in French There are five main kinds of verbs in French: regular -ER, -IR, -RE; stem-changing; and irregular. Once you’ve learned the rules of conjugation for each of the first three kinds of verbs, you should have no problem conjugating regular verbs in each of those categories. The majority of French verbs are regular -ER verbs – see the next page for a list of some common -ER verbs. The verb form that ends in -ER is called the infinitive (in English, the infinitive is the verb preceded by the word “to”), and -ER is the infinitive ending.

The verb with the infinitive ending removed is called the stem or radical. To conjugate -ER verbs, remove the infinitive ending to find the stem and add the endings in the table below.

How to conjugate regular -ER verbs in French

FRENCH REGULAR -ER VERB CONJUGATIONS

To conjugate an -ER verb in the present tense, remove the infinitive ending and then add the appropriate endings. For example, here are the present tense conjugations for the regular -ER verbs parler (to speak), donner (to give), and visiter (to visit):
Pronoun Ending parler > parl- donner > donn- visiter > visit-
 je  -e parle donne visite
 tu  -es parles donnes visites
 il  -e parle donne visite
 nous  -ons parlons donnons visitons
 vous  -ez parlez donnez visitez
 ils  -ent parlent donnent visitent
Regular -ER verbs share conjugation patterns in all tenses and moods.

SOME COMMON FRENCH REGULAR -ER VERBS

French regular -ER verbs, by far the largest group of French verbs, share a conjugation pattern.

Here are just a few of the most common regular -ER verbs: aimer   to like, to love arriver   to arrive, to happen chanter   to sing chercher   to look for commencer*   to begin danser   to dance demander   to ask for dépenser   to spend (money) détester   to hate donner   to give écouter   to listen to étudier**   to study fermer   to close goûter   to taste

jouer   to play laver   to wash manger*   to eat nager*   to swim parler   to talk, to speak passer   to pass, spend (time) penser   to think

porter   to wear, to carry regarder   to watch, to look at rêver   to dream sembler   to seem skier*   to ski travailler   to work trouver   to find visiter   to visit (a place) voler   to fly, to steal *All regular -ER verbs are conjugated according to the regular -ER verb conjugation pattern, except for one small irregularity in verbs that end in -ger and -cer, which are known as spelling-change verbs.

**Though conjugated just like regular -ER verbs, watch out for verbs that end in -IER.

How to conjugate regular -ER verbs in French]]>

French Lessons

Study French at the best French language centre in Coimbatore for Intensive Spoken French Courses.

French Articles

Articles are small words that you use only with nouns. They both present a noun and indicate the gender and number of a noun. French has definite, indefinite, and partitive articles. The following sections describe these three types of articles and identifies when and how you should use them in your French writing and speech.

Definite articles indicate that the noun they’re presenting is specific. In English, the definite article is the. French has three different definite articles, which tell you that the noun is masculine, feminine, or plural. If the noun is singular, the article is le (for masculine nouns) or la (for feminine nouns). If the noun is plural, the article is les no matter what gender the noun is. If a singular noun begins with a vowel or mute h, the definite article le or la contracts to l’, as in l’ami (the friend) and l’homme (the man).

Indefinite articles refer to an unspecific noun. The English indefinite articles are a and an. French has three indefinite articles — un (for masculine nouns),une (for feminine nouns), and des (for masculine or feminine plural nouns). Which one you use depends on the noun’s gender and number. You use the indefinite article in basically the same way in French and English — to refer to an unspecific noun, as in J’ai acheté une voiture (I bought a car) or Je veux voir un film (I want to see a movie). Note that un and une can also mean one: J’ai un frère (I have one brother). Des is the plural indefinite article, which you use for two or more masculine and/or feminine nouns: J’ai des idées (I have some ideas). When you make a sentence with an indefinite article negative, the article changes to de, meaning (not) any.
  • J’ai des questions. (I have some questions.)
  • Je n’ai pas de questions. (I don’t have any questions.)

Partitive articles

Partitive articles are used with things that you take only part of. They don’t exist in English, so the best translation is the word some. There are, once again, three partitive articles, depending on whether the noun is masculine (du), feminine (de la), or plural (des). You use the partitive article with food, drink, and other uncountable things that you take or use only a part of, like air and money, as well as abstract things, such as intelligence and patience. If you do eat or use all of something, and if it is countable, then you need the definite or indefinite article. Compare the following:
  • Je veux du gâteau. (I want some cake — just a piece or two.)
  • Je veux le gâteau. (I want the cake — the whole one.)
  • Je veux un gâteau. (I want a cake — for my birthday party.)
When a singular noun begins with a vowel or mute h, the partitive article du or de la contracts to de l’, as in de l’eau (some water) and de l’hélium (some helium). Partitive Articles Use the partitive article to expresses that you want part of a whole (some or any), to ask for an indefinite quantity (something that is not being counted). Before a noun, the partitive is generally expressed by de + the definite article. Note that de + le contract to become du and de + les contract to become des, as shown in Table 1. Note the following about the use of the partitive article: Although the partitive some or any may be omitted in English, it may not be omitted in French and must be repeated before each noun. Il prend des cèrèales et du lait. (He’s having cereal and milk.) In a negative sentence, the partitive some or any is expressed by de or d’ without the article. Je ne mange jamais de fruits. (I never eat any fruits.) Je n’ai pas d’amis. (I don’t have any friends.) Before a singular adjective preceding a singular noun, the partitive is expressed with or without the article. C’est de (du) bon gâteau. (That’s good cake.) Before a plural adjective preceding a plural noun, the partitive is expressed by de alone. Ce sont de bons èlèves. (They are good students.) Certain nouns and adverbs of quantity are followed by the partitive article de ( d’ before a vowel). The following nouns and adverbs of quantity are followed by de + definite article: la plupart (most) bien (a good many) la majoritè (the majority) la plus grande partie (the majority) La plupart des gens aiment ce film. (Most people like this movie.) The adjectives plusieurs (several) and quelques (some) modify the noun directly. J’adore plusieurs lègumes. (I like several vegetables.) Il achète quelques livres. (He is buying some books.) The partitive is not used with sans (without) and ne … ni … ni (neither … nor). Elle prendra du thè sans citron. (She’ll take tea without lemon.) Il ne boit ni cafè ni thè. (He doesn’t drink coffee or tea.)

Subject Pronouns

pronoun is a word that is used to replace a noun (a person, place, thing, idea, or quality). Pronouns allow for fluidity by eliminating the need to constantly repeat the same noun in a sentence. A subject pronoun replaces a subject noun(the noun performing the action of the verb). Je Unlike the English pronoun “I,” the pronoun je is capitalized only when it begins a sentence. Je becomes j’ before a vowel or vowel sound ( y and unaspiratedh — meaning that no puff of air is emitted when producing the h sound):
  • J’adore le français. (I love French.)
  • Voilà où j’habite. (There’s where I live.)
Tu Tu is used to address one friend, relative, child, or pet and is referred to as the familiar form of “you.” The u from tu is never dropped for purposes of elision: Tu es mon meilleur ami. (You are my best friend.) Vous Vous is used in the singular to show respect to an older person or when speaking to a stranger or someone you do not know very well.Vous is the polite or formal form of “you:” Vous êtes un patron très respecté. (You are a very respected boss.) In addition, vous is always used when speaking to more than one person, regardless of the degree of familiarity. Il and elle Il (he) and elle (she) may refer to a person or to a thing (it):
  • L’homme arrive. (The man arrives.) Il arrive. (He arrives.)
  • Le colis arrive. (The package arrives.) Il arrive. (It arrives.)
  • La dame arrive. (The lady arrives.) Elle arrive. (She arrives.)
  • La lettre arrive. (The letter arrives.) Elle arrive. (It arrives.)
On On refers to an indefinite person: you, we, they, or people in general.On is often used in place of nous, such as in the following: on part(we’re leaving). Ils and elles Ils refers to more than one male or to a combined group of males and females, despite the number of each gender present. Elles refers only to a group of females.
  • Anne et Luc partent. (Ann and Luke leave.) Ils partent. (They leave.)
  • Anne et Marie partent. (Ann and Marie leave.) Elles partent. (They leave.)
Ce The pronoun ce (it, he, she, this, that, these, those), spelled c’ before a vowel, is most frequently used with the verb être (to be): c’est (it is) orce sont (they are). Ce replaces ilelleils, and elles as the subject of the sentence in the following constructions:
  • Before a modified noun:C’est un bon avocat. (He’s a good lawyer.)
But, when unmodified, the following is correct: Il est avocat. (He’s a lawyer.)
  • Before a name:C’est Jean. (It’s John.)
  • Before a pronoun:C’est moi. (It is me.)
  • Before a superlative:C’est le plus grand. (It’s the biggest.)
  • In dates:C’est le dix mars.(It’s March 10th.)
  • Before a masculine singular adjective that refers to a previously mentioned idea or action:Il est important. (He is important.) C’est évident. (That’s obvious).
  • Before an adjective + à + infinitive (the form of any verb before it is conjugated): C’est bon à savoir. (That’s good to know.)
Use il in the following constructions:
  • To express the hour of the day:Il est deux heures. (It’s 2 o’clock.)
  • With an adjective + de + infinitive:Il est bon de manger. (It’s good to eat.)
  • With an adjective before queIl est important que je travaille. (It is important that I work.)

Using Object Pronouns

Object pronouns are used so that an object noun doesn’t have to be continuously repeated. This allows for a more free‐flowing conversational tone. When using object pronouns, make sure your conjugated verb agrees with the subject and not the object pronoun. Table 1 lists direct and indirect object pronouns. The forms me, te, se, nous, and vous are both direct, indirect object, and reflexive pronouns.

Direct object pronouns

Direct objects (which can be nouns or pronouns) answer the question as to whom or what the subject is acting upon. It may refer to people, places, things, or ideas. A direct object pronoun replaces a direct object noun and, unlike in English, is usually placed before the conjugated verb.
  • Tu regardes le film. (You watch the movie.): Tu le regardes. (You watch it.)
  • Je t’aime. (I love you.)
  • Tu m’aimes. (You love me.)

Indirect object pronouns

Indirect objects (which can be nouns or pronouns) answer the question of to or for whom the subject is doing something. They refer only to people. An indirect object pronoun replaces an indirect object noun, and, unlike in English, is usually placed before the conjugated verb. As a clue, look for the preposition à (to, for), which may be in the form of au (the contraction of à + le, à l’, à la, or aux (the contraction of à + les), followed by the name or reference to a person.
  • Elle écrit à Jean. (She writes to John.): Elle lui écrit. (She writes to him.)
  • Tu m’offres un sac à main. (You offer me a purse.)
  • Je t’offre un sac à main. (I offer you a purse.)
Verbs that take an indirect object in English do not necessarily take an indirect object in French. The following verbs take a direct object in French:
  • attendre (to wait for)
  • chercher (to look for)
  • écouter (to listen to)
  • espérer (to hope for/to)
  • faire venir (to call for)
  • payer (to pay)
Verbs that take a direct object in English do not necessarily take a direct object in French. The following verbs take an indirect object in French because they are followed by à:
  • convenir à (to suit)
  • désobéir à (to disobey)
  • faire honte à (to shame)
  • faire mal à (to hurt)
  • faire peur à (to frighten)
  • obéir à (to obey)
  • plaire à (to please)
  • répondre à (to answer)
  • ressembler à (to resemble)
  • téléphoner à (to call)
The expression penser à (to think about) is followed by a stress pronoun; for example, Je pense à lui/elle. (I think about him/her). The following verbs require an indirect object because they are followed by à. Note the correct preposition to use before the infinitive of the verb.
  • apprendre (teach) à quelqu’un à + infinitive
  • enseigner (teach) à quelqu’un à + infinitive
  • conseiller (advise) à quelqu’un de + infinitive
  • défendre (forbid) à quelqu’un de + infinitive
  • demander (ask) à quelqu’un de + infinitive
  • ordonner (order) à quelqu’un de + infinitive
  • pardonner (forgive) à quelqu’un de + infinitive
  • permettre (permit) à quelqu’un de + infinitive
  • promettre (promise) à quelqu’un de + infinitive
  • rappeler (remind) à quelqu’un de + infinitive
  • reprocher (reproach) à quelqu’un de + infinitive
With the French verbs plaire (to please), falloir (to be necessary), and manquer (to miss), the French indirect object is the subject in the English sentence:
  • Ce cadeau me plaît. (I like this gift. This gift is pleasing to me.)
  • Il me faut un stylo. (I need a pen. A pen is necessary for me.)
  • Tu me manques. (I miss you. I am missing to you.)
The adverbial pronoun (y) The adverbial pronoun y (pronounced ee) means “there” when the place has already been mentioned. Y can also mean “it,” “them,” “in it/them,” “to it/them,” or “on it/them.” Y usually replaces the preposition à + the noun object of the preposition, but it may also replace other prepositions of location or position, such as chez (at the house/business of) , dans (in) , en (in), sous (under), or sur (on) + noun:
  • Je vais à Paris. (I’m going to Paris.) J’y vais. (I’m going there.)
  • Il répond à la note. (He answers the note.) Il y répond. (He answers it.)
  • Tu restes dans ton lit. (You stay in the hotel.) Tu y restes. (You stay in it.)
Y is used to replace de + noun only when de is part of a prepositional phrase showing location: L’hôtel est près de l’aéroport. (The hotel is near the airport.) L’hôtel y est. (The hotel is there.) Never use y to replace à + a person. Indirect object pronouns are used for this purpose: Je parle à Luc. (I speak to Luke.) Je lui parle. (I speak to him.) Sometimes y is used in French but is not translated into English: Il va au cinéma? (Is he going to the movies?) Oui, il y va. (Yes, he is.) The adverbial pronoun (en) The pronoun en refers to previously mentioned things or places. Enusually replaces de + noun and may mean some or any, of it/them, about it/them, from it/them, or from there:
  • Je veux de la glace. (I want some ice cream.) J’en veux. (I want some [of it]).
  • Tu ne bois pas de lait. (You don’t drink any milk.) Tu n’en bois pas. (You don’t drink any.)
  • Il parle de l’examen. (He speaks about the test.) Il en parle. (He speaks about it.)
  • Vous sortez du café. (You leave the cafe.) Vous en sortez. (You leave [from] it.)
En is always expressed in French even though it may have no Engish equivalent or is not expressed in English: Astu du temps? (Do you have any time?) Oui, j’en ai. (Yes, I do.) Note the following rules governing the use of en:
  • En is used with idiomatic expressions requiringde.
    • J’ai besoin de film. (I need film.) J’en ai besoin. (I need some.)
  • Enis used to replace a noun (de + noun) after a number or a noun or adverb of quantity.
    • Je prépare six gâteaux. (I’m preparing six cakes.) J’en prépare six. (I’m preparing six [of them].)
    • Tu bois une tasse de thé. (You drink a cup of tea.) Tu en bois. (You drink a cup [of it].)
  • Enonly refers to people when de means some. In all other cases (when de + a noun mean “of” or “about” a person), a stress pronoun is used.
    • I have a lot of sons. (J’ai beaucoup de fils.) I have a lot of them. (J’en ai beaucoup.)
The position of object pronouns An object pronoun is placed before the verb to which its meaning is tied, usually before the conjugated verb. When a sentence contains two verbs, the object pronoun is placed before the infinitive:
  • Je le demande. (I ask for it.) Je ne le demande pas. (I don’t ask for it.)
  • Il va en boire. (He is going to drink some of it.) Il ne va pas en boire. (He isn’t going to drink some of it.)
In an affirmative command, an object pronoun is placed immediately after the verb and is joined to it by a hyphen. The familiar command forms of ‐ er verbs (regular and irregular — retain their final s before y and en to prevent the clash of two vowel sounds together. Put a liaison (linking) between the final consonant and y or enRestesy!(Stay there!) But: N’y reste pas! (Don’t stay there!) In compound tenses, the object pronoun is placed before the conjugated helping verb: J’ai parlé à Nancy. (I spoke to Nancy.) Je lui ai parlé. (I spoke to her.)

Double object pronouns

The term double object pronouns refers to using more than one pronoun in a sentence at a time, as follows: The following examples show how double object pronouns are used before the conjugated verb, before the infinitive when there are two verbs, in the past tense, and in a negative command. Note the different order of the pronouns in the affirmative command:
  • Before the conjugated verb:Elle me la donne. (She gives it to me.)
  • Before the infinitive with two verbs:Vastu m’en offrir? (Are you going to offer me any?)
  • In the past tense:Tu le lui as écrit. (You wrote it to her.)
  • In a negative command:Ne me le montrez pas. (Don’t show it to me.)
But note the difference in an affirmative command: Montrezlemoi, s’il vous plaît. (Please show it to me.) In an affirmative command, m oi + en and toi + en become m’en andt’en respectively:
  • Donnem’en, s’il te plaît. (Please give me some.)
  • Va t’en. (Go away.)

Independent (Stress) Pronouns

Independent pronouns, listed in Table 1, may stand alone or follow a verb or a preposition. They are used to emphasize a fact and to highlight or replace nouns or pronouns. Independent pronouns are used as follows: To stress the subject: Moi, je suis vraiment indépendant. (Me, I’m really independent.) When the pronoun has no verb:Qui veut partir? (Who wants to leave?) Moi. (Me.) After prepositions to refer to a person or persons: Allons chez elle. (Let’s go to her house.) After c’estC’est moi qui pars. (I’m leaving.) After the following verbs:
  • avoir affaire à (to have dealings with)
  • être à (to belong to)
  • faire attention à (to pay attention to)
  • penser à (to think about [of)])
  • se fier à (to trust)
  • s’intéresser à (to be interested in)
  • Ceci est à moi. (This belongs to me.)
In compound subjects:
  • Lui et moi allons au restaurant. (He and I are going to the restaurant.)
  • Sylvie et toi dînez chez Marie. (Sylvia and you are dining at Marie’s.)
If moi is one of the stress pronouns in a compound subject, the subject pronoun nous is used in summary (someone + me = we) and the conjugated verb must agree with nous. If toi is one of the stress pronouns in a compound subject, the subject prounoun vous is used in summary (someone + you [singular] = you [plural]) and the conjugated verb must agree with the vous. Neither nous nor vous has to appear in the sentence. With  même(s) to reinforce the subject: Je suis allé au concert moimême. (I went to the concert by myself.)

Relative Pronouns

relative pronoun (“who,” “which,” or “that”) joins a main clause to a dependent clause. This pronoun introduces the dependent clause that describes someone or something mentioned in the main clause. The person or thing the pronoun refers to is called the antecedent. A relative clause may serve as a subject, a direct object, or an object of a preposition. Qui (subject) and que (direct object) Qui (“who,” “which,” “that”) is the subject of a relative clause (which means that it will be followed by a verb in the dependent clause). Qui may refer to people, things, or places and follows the format antecedent + subject + verbC’estla femmequia gagné. (She’s the woman who won.) The verb of a relative clause introduced by qui is conjugated to agree with its antecedent: C’est moi qui choisis les bons cafés. (I am the one who chooses the good cafés.) Que (“whom,” “which,” or “that”) is the direct object of a relative clause (which means that it will be followed by a noun or pronoun). Although frequently omitted in English, the relative pronoun is always expressed in French. Que may refer to people or things and follows the format antecedent + direct object + pronounC’est l’homme que j’ adore. (He’s the man [that] I love.) Qui and lequel (objects of a preposition) Qui (meaning “whom”) is used as the object of a preposition referring to a person.
  • Anne est la femme avec qui je travaille. (Anne is the woman with whom I am working.)
Lequel, laquelle, lesquels, lesquelles (“which” or “whom”) are used as the object of a preposition referring primarily to things. The form of lequel must agree with the antecedent. Select the proper form of lequel after consulting Table 1, for example, Voilà la piscine dans laquelle je nage. (There is the pool in which I swim.) Lequel and its forms contract with the prepositions à and de, as shown in Table 2: Some examples include the following:
  • Ce sont les hommes auxquels elle pense. (Those are the men she is thinking about.)
  • C’est la classe de laquelle je parlais. (That’s the class I was talking about.)
Ce qui and ce que The relative pronouns ce qui and ce que are used when no antecedent noun or pronoun is present:
  • Ce quimeans “what” or “that which” and is the subject of a verb: Je me demande ce qui se passe. (I wonder what is happening.)
  • Ce que means “what” (that which) and is the object of a verb: Tu sais ce que ça veut dire. (You know what that means.)

How to Conjugate ER Verbs in French

One thing English speakers who are learning French struggle with is learning how to conjugate all the different verbs. Most French verbs typically end in -er, -re, or -ir. The biggest group is verbs that end in -er. Verbs that fall into this group that follow the same conjugation pattern are called regular -er verbs. Once you know how to conjugate one regular -er verb, you know how to conjugate all regular -er verbs! Let’s take a look at the process.

Steps to Follow Conjugating Regular ER Verbs in the Present Tense

To conjugate any regular -er verb in the present tense, you will follow the steps outlined below. 1.) Take the infinitive form of the verb, and drop the -er off the end of the verb to get the verb stem. (For example, take the infinitive form of the verb parler, and remove the -er. You are left with the verb stemparl-.) 2.) Determine the subject pronoun you are conjugating the verb with, and add the appropriate ending from the chart below.
Subject Pronoun Ending
Je -e
Tu -es
Il/Elle/On -e
Nous -ons
Vous -ez
Ils/Elles -ent

Practice Conjugating

Let’s now practice this conjugation pattern with some common regular -er verbs in French.
Parler (to speak) Donner (to give) Aimer (to like)
Je parle (pahrle) Je donne (done) J’aime* (ehm)
Tu parles (pahrle) Tu donnes (done) Tu aimes (ehm)
Il/Elle/On parle (pahrle) Il/Elle/On donne (done) Il/Elle/On aime (ehm)
Nous parlons (pahrl-ohn) Nous donnons (done-ohn) Nous aimons (ehm-ohn)
Vous parlez (pahrl-ay) Vous donnez (done-ay) Vous aimez (ehm-ay)
Ils/Elles parlent (pahrle) Ils/Elles donnent (done) Ils/Elles aiment (ehm)

How to Conjugate IR Verbs in French

Verbs and Conjugation

In French, verbs have a set of endings. We call this a conjugation. A verb like choisir (pronounced: shwah-zeer), meaning ‘to choose,’ is called an -IR verb. To conjugate the verb, we chop off the -IR at the end of the word and put on the correct ending. The ending for the verb corresponds to who is doing the verb. The person (or thing) doing the verb is called thesubject. In French, subjects are:
  • je (pronounced: zhuh), meaning ‘I’
  • tu (pronounced: tooh), meaning ‘you’ (singular, informal)
  • il, elle (pronounced: eel, el), meaning ‘he’ or ‘she’
  • nous (pronounced: nooh), meaning ‘we’
  • vous (pronounced: vooh), meaning ‘you’ (plural, formal)
  • ils, elles (pronounced: eel, el), meaning ‘they’

-IR Verb Endings

This chart shows the endings for -IR verbs in French:
je _____ -is nous _____-issons
tu _____ -is vous _____-issez
il / elle _____ -it ils / elles _____-issent
To say ‘I choose,’ we use the verb chosir (meaning ‘to choose’) but take off the -ir. This leaves us with chois-. This first part of the verb, without an ending, is called the stem. We add an ending to the stem. For je (meaning ‘I’), the ending is -is. So ‘I choose’ is je choisis (pronounced: zhuh shwah-zee).

Pronunciation

The endings for je, tu, il and elle all sound like ‘ee.’
French Pronunciation
je choisis zhuh shwah-zee
tu choisis tyooh shwah-zee
il / elle choisit eel / el shwah-zee
Notice that the il and elle forms end with -it, while the je and tu forms end with -is. The written forms are different, but the pronunciation is exactly the same! The plural forms–we, you (all), they–sound slightly different. The ending -issons sounds like ‘ee-ssahn,’ -issezsounds like ‘ee-say’, and -issent sounds like ‘eess.’
French Pronunciation
nous choisissons nooh shwah-zee-ssahn
vous choisissez vooh shwah-zee-say
ils / elles choisissent eel / el shwah-zeess

Common -IR Verbs

French Pronunciation Meaning
Finir fee-neer to finish
Grandir grahn-deer to grow up
Réussir ray-ooh-seer to succeed
Réfléchir ray-flay-sheer to think about; to reflect
Maigrir may-greer to lose weight
Grossir groh-seer to gain weight

Finir

Let’s take the verb finir as an example. Imagine that Pierre wants to play video games. His mom says OK, but first ‘you finish the homework’–tu finis les devoirs (pronounced: tooh fee-nee lay dehv-wahr). Pierre’s a good student. He reminds his mom, ‘I always finish homework’–je finis toujours les devoirs(pronounced: zhuh fee-nee tooh-zhor lay dehv-war). Pierre’s brother Richard pipes up, ‘We always finish homework!’–nous finissons toujours les devoirs (pronounced: nooh fee-nee-sahn tooh-zhor lay dehv-wahr). Mom thinks, ‘That’s true, they always finish homework,’–ils finissent toujours les devoirs (pronounced: eel fee-neess tooh-zhor lay dehv-wahr).

How to Conjugate RE Verbs in French

In French, verbs have sets of endings. This lesson introduces you to the endings for verbs that end in -RE. You will learn several -RE verbs, such as ‘vendre’ (to sell), ‘perdre’ (to lose), and ‘attendre’ (to wait.)

Subjects And Verbs

In French, verbs have different endings for each subject (like ‘I’, ‘you,’ ‘we,’ etc). Let’s review some subject pronouns:
  • je (pronounced: zhuh), meaning ‘I’
  • tu (pronounced: tooh), meaning ‘you’ (singular)
  • il / elle (pronounced: eel / el), meaning ‘he / she’
  • nous (pronounced: nooh), meaning ‘we’
  • vous (pronounced: vooh), meaning ‘you’ (plural or formal)
  • ils / elles (pronounced: eel / el), meaning ‘they’

Conjugation

The pattern of endings for a verb is called a conjugation. A verb like vendre (pronounced: vahn-druh), meaning ‘to sell,’ is called an -RE verb. To conjugate the verb, we chop off the -RE at the end of the word. This leaves us with the stem (the beginning part of the word). We then put on the correct ending. For vendre, the stem isvend-. Let’s take a look at the for -RE endings for conjugation patterns:
Conjugation Pattern -RE verbs
je _____ -s nous _____ -ons
tu _____ -s vous _____ -ez
il, elle _____ ils, elles _____ -ent
You’ll notice that the je and tu forms are exactly the same. They both end with s–however, the s is silent. The il /elle form is unusual, because there is no extra ending.

Pronunciation

Let’s look at the verb rendre, which means ‘to turn in’ (for example, to turn in homework).
  • je rends (pronounced: zhuh rahn), meaning ‘I turn in’
  • tu rends (pronounced: tooh rahn), meaning ‘you turn in’ (singular ‘you’)
  • il / elle rend (pronounced: eel / el rahn), meaning ‘he / she turns in’
  • nous rendons (pronounced: nooh rahn-dahn), meaning ‘we turn in’
  • vous rendez (pronounced: vooh rahn-day), meaning ‘you turn in’ (plural or formal ‘you’)
  • ils / elles rendent (pronounced: eel / el rahnd), meaning ‘they turn in’

Notes About Pronunciation

Let’s look at details regarding pronunciation for these conjugation patterns:

Singular: je, tu, il, elle

The je, tu, and il / elle forms all have the exact same pronunciation. Notice that the il / elle form of the verb does not have an s at the end.

Plural: nous, vous, ils, elles

Most final consonants in French are silent. For the nous form, the ending is -ons, with the s being silent. For thevous form, the -ez ending is pronounced ay. For the ils / elles form, the -ent ending is silent.

Vendre (To Sell)

Imagine that your French friend, Sandra, needs money. She might tell you Je vends la voiture (pronounced: zhuh vahn lah vwah-tuhr), meaning ‘I’m selling my car.’ Her kids, Pierre and Jacques, want to help by selling their toys, or les jouets (pronounced: lay zhooh-ay). The tell you Nous vendons les jouets. Later, you tell you neighbor what’s going on–elle vend la voiture (pronounced: ell vahn lah vwah-tuhr) and ils vendent les jouets (eel vahnd lay zhooh-ay). Notice that when Sandra says je vends or when you say elle vend, we don’t hear the ‘d’ sound. (The s in je vendsis also silent). But when we say ils vendent or elles vendent, we DO make a d sound at the end of the word. The -ent’ is silent–but because it’s there, we pronounce that d.

Perdre (To Lose)

We saw that rendre means ‘to turn in.’ This is what students do with homework, or les devoirs (pronounced: lay dehv-wahr.) Unfortunately, students sometimes also lose their homework! Perdre means ‘to lose.’ Imagine a group of friends who have different homework habits:
  • Pierre: Je rends les devoirs. (pronounced: zhuh rahn lay dehv-wahr)
  • Albert : Je perds les devoirs. (pronounced: zhuh pehr lay dehv-wahr)
  • Pierre et Marie : Nous rendons les devoirs. (pronounced: nooh rahn-don lay dehv-wahr)
  • Albert et Jacques : Nous perdons les devoirs. (pronounced: nooh pehr-don lay dehv-wahr)

Être Meaning

In almost every conversation you will need the French verb être. Être (pronounced: ay-tr, with a soft ‘r’ at the end) is used to indicate how things are. Literally meaning ‘to be’ être can be conjugated with the various French pronouns, paired with adjectives or used in numerous idiomatic expressions.

Conjugation

Each French pronoun requires a different conjugation of the verb être. This table shows you a pronoun, the correct conjugation of être, the English meaning of the conjugation, and the conjugation pronunciation.
Subject Pronoun Être Conjugation Pronunciation English Meaning
je (I) suis (am) swee I am
tu (you) es (are) ay You are
il (he) est (is) ay He is
elle (she) est (is) ay She is
nous (we) sommes (are) sohm We are
vous (you) êtes(are) eht You are (formal) or You all are
ils (they) sont (are) sohn They are
elles (they) sont (are) sohn They are (feminine)

Conjugation Examples

Imagine you are talking about the nationalities of your friends and yourself. Study the above chart and following sentences and note how the verb être is conjugated and used with adjectives. In this case the adjective is the nationality American. Je suis Américain. I am American. Et toi? And you? Tu es américain? Are you American? Paul est Américain. Paul is American. Nous sommes Américains. We are Americans. Vous êtes Américains? Are you all Americans? Ils sont Américains. They are Americans. Julie et Diane, elles sont Américains aussi. Julie and Diane, they are Americans too.

Aller Conjugation

Why is faire an important verb?
The verb faire (pronounced like the English word fair but with the French /r/ sound) is a great verb to have in your back pocket because it’s definitely a multi-tasker. Some interesting facts about this verb are: 1) most weather expressions in French use faire, for example to talk about what the weather is doing 2) many individual sports and activities use this verb, for example to express that you do a certain sport 3) used in math equations to mean equals in English 4) used in causative constructions where you have had something done to a person or thing, for example having your dog groomed 5) Numbers 1 and 2 on this list are the most important usages for beginners. It’s also used in many, many other expressions in French. Trust us, this is a high-frequency verb!
How to use it in sentences: the conjugations
The verb faire is considered to be an irregular verb, meaning that the conjugations used in order to create a subject-verb agreement do not follow typical patterns. So, break out the flash cards and commit this one to memory. The following examples of conjugations express how to use the verb to talk about activities and sports. Singular Forms: Je fais (fay) du sport = I do sports Fais-tu du yoga? = Do you do yoga? Il/Elle fait (fay) du ski nautique = He/She does/goes skiing Plural Forms: Nous faisons (fuh zahn) de la danse = We do dance Faites(fet)-vous du camping? = Do you do/go camping? Ils/Elles font (fohn) une promenade = They go for a walk Remember, many individual sports – ones that don’t require a team to play – as well as activities take this verb, and it can also translate into English as go instead of make or do.

Savoir Conjugation

Knowing how to say you know something or telling a friend, ‘I don’t know’ is pretty important in conversation, even French conversations. But to do that, first you have to learn how to conjugate the verb savior(pronounced: sah-vwahr), to know.
Subject Pronoun Savoir Conjugation Pronunciation English Meaning
je (I) sais (say) I know
tu (you) sais (say) you know (singular)
il/elle (he/she) sait (say) he/she knows
nous (we) savons (sah-vahn) we know
vous (you) savez (sah-vay) you know (plural)
ils/elles (they) savent (sahv) they know
Now that we’ve got that down, let’s look at the different ways that savior is used in conversations.

To Know How

To express that someone knows how to do something, we use a form of the verb savoir plus a second verb. Let’s look at some examples using savoir plus the verb nager (pronounced: nah-zhay) to swim: Imagine that your French friend, Ariane, has come to visit. You want to go swimming, so you ask her, ‘Tu sais nager?’ meaning, ‘Do you know how to swim?’. She would answer ‘Je sais nager’ meaning ‘I know how to swim.’ Then, your friends Frank and Elizabeth arrive. You ask them ‘Vous savez nager?’ meaning ‘Do you (guys) know how to swim?’ They answer, ‘Nous savons nager’ meaning ‘We know how to swim.’ Notice how the sentences use different forms of the verb savoir, but the word nager never changes. Let’s look at some more examples:
  • Je sais conduire (pronounced: zhuh say kon-dweer), meaning ‘I know how to drive.’
  • Elle sait conduire (pronounced: el say kon-dweer), meaning ‘She knows how to drive.’
  • Il sait danser (pronounced: eel say dahn-say), meaning ‘He knows how to dance.’
  • Ils savent danser (pronounced: eel sahv dahn-say), meaning ‘They know how to dance.’

Vouloir Conjugation

Vouloir: To Want

Imagine that you get to spend a few weeks visiting France. What do you want to do? What do you want to eat? To express what you want, say je veux (pronounced: zhuh veuh), which means ‘I want.’ Whether you stay in a hotel or with French hosts, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to discuss what you want. For example, you might say: je veux visiter le Louvre (pronounced: zhuh veuh vee-see-tay luh loov-ruh). Perhaps your main goal is to learn French. You can explain that: je veux apprendre le français (pronounced: zhuh veuh ah-prahn-druh luh frahn-say).

Conjugating Vouloir

In English, we say ‘I want’ and ‘he wants.’ The verb is ‘want,’ but its form changes slightly depending on who is speaking. In French, verbs have different endings. Putting the right endings on a verb is called conjugating the verb. Notice the endings for the verb vouloir:
VOULOIR (pronounced: vooh-lwahr) to want
je veux (zhuh veuh) nous voulons (nooh vooh-lahn)
I want we want
tu veux (tyooh veuh) vous voulez (vooh vooh-lay)
you want (singular) you want (plural)
il / elle veut (eel / el veuh) ils / elles veulent (eel / el vuhl)
he / she wants they want

Pronunciation Hints

Notice that the verb endings for je, tu, il and elle are all pronounced the same. The verb ending is the same for the je and tu forms. For il / elle , the ending changes. When you’re speaking, you can’t hear a difference. Another thing to keep in mind is that the je, tu, il / elle, and ils / elles forms all start with veu. This letter blend sounds like ‘euh.’ To pronounce it correctly, think about making the sound down in your throat, at the spot where you swallow. On the other hand, vouloir as well as voulons and voulez all begin with the sound vou. This letter blend rhymes with ‘ooh’ — as in Ooh là là! This sound is formed with your lips. Pucker up like you’re going to give someone a big kiss to make the ooh sound for French words like vouloir, voulons, voulez as well as vous and nous.

Examples With Vouloir

Imagine that two friends, Paul and Robert, are traveling together in France. As they discuss traveling from Paris to the city of Avignon, they might debate whether to prendre le train (pronounced: prahn-druh luh trahn) orlouer une voiture (pronounced: looh-ay oohn vwah-tyuhr). Paul might ask Robert: Tu veux louer une voiture? Robert might reply, Non, je veux prendre le train. Paul and Robert are staying with their friend Nathalie in Paris. They tell her about their plan: Nous voulons prendre le train. Nathalie might ask them, ‘Do you want to leave tomorrow?’ She would say Voulez-vous partir demain? (pronounced: vooh-lay vooh pahr-teer duh-mahn).

Feminine Adjectives in French

Let’s get personal. Do you have a girlfriend? How would you describe her to someone? Is she pretty? Is she short or tall? Or we could talk about your grandmother. Would you say she is funny? Is she strong or frail? In French, since these people are feminine, when you describe them, the adjectives must also be feminine! Did you know that in French, objects can also be feminine? For example, in French, cars are feminine! The word for car, la voiture, is a feminine word! So, now how would you describe your car? Is it fancy? Expensive? What color is it? All of these adjectives must be feminine when you are describing your car.

Examples of Adjectives

Add an ‘e’ at the end of most adjectives to create the feminine form. Some examples of masculine and feminine forms are:
  • grandgrande (tall) – pronounced (grahn) and (grahnduh) with nasal ‘n’ sound
  • jolijolie (pretty) – pronounced (zhoh-lee)
  • bleubleue (blue) – pronounced (bluh)
  • fortforte (strong) – pronounced (fohr) and (fohrtuh)
  • marrantmarrante (funny) pronounced (marrahn) and (marrahn-tuh) with nasal ‘n’ sound
  • fâchéfâchée (angry) pronounced (fah-shay)
When pronouncing these, we do not say the last consonant in the masculine form. When the feminine ‘e’ is added, we hear the last consonant. For example:fort is pronounced like (for), but forte is pronounced similar to (fort) in English. Some adjectives have a slight change in the last consonant before adding the feminine ‘e.’ For example, some adjectives ending in f go from f to ve.
  • sportifsportive (athletic) Pronounced- (sporteef) and (sporteev)
  • créatifcréative (creative) Pronounced- (cray-ah-teef) and (cray-ah-teev)
Pronounce the’ ‘f or the ‘v’ as it is written. Some adjectives double the last consonant before adding the feminine ‘e.’ For example:
  • mignonmignonne (cute) – pronounced (meenyohn) with nasal ‘n,’ and (meenyunn)
  • bonbonne (good) – pronounced (boh-n) with nasal ‘n,’ and (bun)
  • gentilgentille (kind) – pronounced (zhahn-tee) and (zhahn-teeyuh) with nasal ‘n’
The double consonants are pronounced in the feminine form, but usually the single consonants in the masculine form are pronounced nasally or not at all. For instance, pronounce ‘bon’ like the word (bone) but with a nasal ‘n’ sound and ‘bonne’ similar to (buhnn).

Describing Your Car in French

Let’s try some sentences to describe your car!
  • Ma voiture est bleue. (My car is blue.) Pronounced- (mah vwa-teeoor ay bluh)
  • Elle est petite. (It is small.) Pronounced- (el ay puhteetuh).
How about your grandmother? Let’s try describing her:
  • (My grandmother is funny, but my grandfather is also funny.)Ma grand-mère est marrante, mais mon grand-père est aussi marrant.
Pronounced-(mah gran-mayr ay marrantuh may mohn granpayr ay oh-see marran) Notice that the grandfather has the masculine adjective form, and the grandmother has the feminine form of the adjective.

French Possessive Adjectives

French Adjective Agreement: Rules & Practice

French Adjectives: Placement & Examples

Describing People and Things

Sam and Liz are Americans living abroad in Angers, France, and they really want to be able to talk to their neighbors, describe their new neighbors, and talk about what goes on around them without being confusing. There are certain things Sam and Liz will need to remember about words that describe a noun or pronoun, oradjectives, to reach their goal. This includes understanding which adjectives do and don’t conform to normal placement principles.

Normal Placement

The normal or most common placement of adjectives in a French sentence is right behind the word it describes. For example: J’ai un vélo ‘bleu.‘ (I have a blue bike). Elles aiment la langue ‘anglaise.‘ (They like the English language.) Nous sommes vos voisins ‘américains.‘ (We are your American neighbors.) C’est un homme ‘sympa.‘ (He’s a nice man.) Nous avons des voisins ‘sincères.‘ (We have sincere neighbors.) This order is quite different from English as you can see in the translations, and Sam and Liz are going to have to make an extra effort to get this right if they want their French-speaking neighbors to understand them.

BANGS Adjectives

B – BeautyBANGS is an acronym that Sam and Liz can use to remember which adjectives don’t follow the rules. These are describing words that normally come before the noun (there are always exceptions). It stands for:
A – Age
N – Number
G – Goodness
S – Size
Examples of adjectives that fall in each category are as follows:
Beauty beau/belle/beaux/belles joli/jolie/jolis/jolies
Age jeune/jeunes viel/vieux/vieille/vieilles
Number un/deux/trois/quatre/cinq
Goodness bon/bonne/bons/bonnes mauvais/mauvaise/mauvaises
Size grand/grande/grands/grandes petit/petite/petits/petites
Knowing this information, Sam and Liz are able to tell and ask their new neighbor, Monsieur LeClerc, lots of important things: Sam: Vous avez une ‘belle’ voiture! (You have a nice car!) Liz: Est-ce que c’est un ‘bon’ restaurant au coin? (Is the restaurant on the corner good?) M LeClerc: C’est un ‘petit’ restaurant, mais il est bon. (It’s a small restaurant, but it is good.) Sam: Nous avons ‘deux’ chiens. Et vous, vous avez des animaux? (We have two dogs, and do you have any animals?)

Special Adjectives

There are also some special adjectives that don’t follow the normal positioning or BANGS. Sam and Liz have to be really careful with this group of adjectives because this group can be used before or after the nouns they describe, but the meaning changes depending on where they are placed. Here are a few of these used to help out Sam and Liz in their new neighborhood: 1. ancien (old/former)
  • Before a noun: C’est mon ancien voisin. (This is my former neighbor.)
  • After a noun: C’est mon voisin ancien. (This is my ancient neighbor.)
2. cher (dear/expensive)
  • Before a noun: Cher Sam, je t’aime. (Dear Sam, I love you.)
  • After a noun: Cette voiture est chère. (This car is expensive.)

French Adverbials of Frequency

French Adverbs: Definition

While adjectives add information about nouns, adverbs are used to add meaning to a verb, an adjective, another adverb or a whole sentence. Contrary to French adjectives that agree in gender and number with the noun they relate to, French adverbs are invariable, which means they never change. Adverbs are divided into different categories determined by the type of information they provide. As you might have guessed, adverbs of frequency and time provide information on when, how often, or for long an action takes place.

Adverbs of Time

There are many French adverbs of time. To help you learn them, we will divide them into four different categories: adverbs of time past, time present, time future and adverbs about a specific moment in time relative to another moment (this will become clearer as we get there).

Adverbs of Time Past

Adverbs of time past indicate the event has taken place in the past, whether recently or a long time ago. Logically, they are usually used in sentences in the past tense. Here is a table listing some adverbs of time past from most recent to most ancient:
French adverb Pronunciation English translation
À l’instant ah-lun-stan just now
Récemment ray-sah-man recently
Tout à l’heure too-tah-luhr earlier
Hier ee-ehr yesterday
Avant-hier ah-van-tee-ehr the day before yesterday
Autrefois o-truh-fwah in the past, in the old days
Jadis zhah-dees in the old days

Examples:

Il est sorti à l’instant. He just walked out. Ils ont déménagé récemment. They recently moved away. Autrefois, j’avais les cheveux bruns. In the past, I used to have brown hair. Jadis, les enfants ne regardaient pas la télévision. In the old days, children did not watch television.

Adverbs of Time Present

French adverb Pronunciation English translation
Aujourd’hui o-zhoor-düee today
Maintenant mun-tuh-nan now
Tout de suite too-duh-süeet right now
Immédiatement eem-may-deeah-tman immediately
En ce moment an-suh-mo-man right now/currently
Actuellement ak-tü-ehl-man currently

Examples:

Aujourd’hui nous allons à la plage! Today we are going to the beach! Je dois préparer le dîner maintenant. I have to prepare dinner now. Rendez-moi mon argent tout de suite. Give me back my money right now.

Adverbs of Time Future

French adverb Pronunciation English translation
Tout à l’heure too-tah-luhr later
Bientôt beeun-to soon
Demain duh-mun tomorrow
Après-demain ah-preh-duh-mun the day after tomorrow
Dorénavant do-ray-nah-van from now on
Aussitôt o-si-to as soon as/right away
Note that tout à l’heure can either refer to an event that just happened, or an event that will happen very soon, and can either mean earlier today or later today.

What can an adverb modify?

The adverb can modify a verb, an adjective or another adverb. It can also relate to the whole sentence, telling you what the speaker is thinking or feeling. In other words, it can modify almost everything, except a noun(which is modified by an adjective)
  • a verb: Je regarde (verb) souvent (adv) la télé.
  • an adjective: Je suis vraiment (adv) touché (adj).
  • Another adverb: Nous avons très (adv) bien (adv) mangé
  • A whole sentence: Malheureusement (adv), je ne l’ai pas trouvé. (sentence)   

How to form a regular adverb from an adjective?

Although there are many adverbs that do not have the ending –ment, this ending is undoubtedly an important category of adverbs.  Let’s get through the general rules:
  •  If the adjective ends with a vowel, add –ment to the adjective to form the adverb:
absolu                ==>       absolument poli                      ==>          poliment
  • If the adjective ends with a consonant, change it to the feminine form (to get the “e” at the end) and then add -ment:
normal                ==>          normale       ==>         normalement éventuel             ==>         éventuelle     ==>      éventuellement

Days of the Week in French

First, let’s take a look at the days of the week:
English French
Monday lundi (pronounced: lun-dee)
Tuesday mardi (pronounced like: Mardi Gras)
Wednesday mercredi (pronounced: mer-cra-dee)
Thursday jeudi (pronounced: ju-dee)
Friday vendredi (pronounced: von-dra-dee)
Saturday samedi (pronounced: sa-mey-dee)
Sunday dimanche (pronounced: dee-man-sh)
Notice that they are not automatically capitalized like they are in English. That is a very important rule, so make sure you keep it in mind! Family

Let’s Talk about Family!

This lesson will give you the vocabulary to do just that. Let’s get started!

Family Trees

Imagine your own family tree. What would it look like?
Family Tree
Family Tree
The word for family in French is une famille, (oon fah-mee). It may help to imagine a French family to try out some new French vocabulary. While we look at the family imagined here, think of your own and see if any of the new words might apply. Start with Sandrine. She lives in Bordeaux, in southwest France, with her immediate family. C’est Sandrine! ‘This is Sandrine’.
Sandrine
Young Girl
She has two parents. The word for parents in French is very similar to our own: des parents, (day par-ahn).
Ses Parents
Parents
She has a mother, une mère, (oon mehr), and a father,un père, (uhn pehr). In French, you might also hear the familiar forms of these words, Maman, (Mah-mahn), and Papa, (Pah-pah). Her family has four children in it. The word in French for children is des enfants, (dayz ahn-fahn). Sandrine has two sisters. The word for sister is unesœur, (oon sör). She has one brother, un frère, (uhn frehr). He is the baby, le bébé, (luh bay-bay). When we say that Sandrine has two sisters and one brother, it also tells us that her parents have three daughters and one son. The word for daughter is une fille, (oon fee), and the word for son is un fils, (uhn fees). What about your family tree? How is it like Sandrine’s? How is it different? Let’s practice a tiny bit with this vocabulary, so you can see how you might apply it to yourself. To say, ‘I have children,’ you would say, J’ai des enfants. If you’d like to say, ‘I have a son and a daughter. I also have a sister and a brother,’ you might say, ‘J’ai un fils et une fille. J’ai aussi (also) une sœur et un frère.’ Notice the expression J’ai, (jay). It means ‘I have’. If you like to make it negative (to say you don’t have any), you’ll change it to je n’ai pas de, (juh nay pah duh) as in, Je n’ai pas de filles. ‘I don’t have any daughters’.

Extended Family

Let’s add some members to Sandrine’s family. Sandrine’s extended family lives further east, in the Burgundy region. Sandrine, like many of us, has grandparents. She’s their granddaughter. Let’s see that same idea in French: see if you can find the word for grandparents in the first sentence! Sandrine a des grand-parents. Sandrine est leur petite-fille. If you guessed that des grand-parents, (day grah-pah-rahn), was the French word for grandparents, you were right! She has a grandmother, une grand-mère, (oon grahn-mehr), and a grandfather, un grand-père, (uhn grahn-pehr). The word for granddaughter, as you can see it in the sentence above, is une petite-fille. For grandson, it’s unpetit-fils. And for grandchildren, it’s des petits-enfants, (day puh-teez ahn-fahn). Sandrine also has aunts, uncles, and cousins. Her favorite aunt is une tante, (oon tahnt), or Tata, in the familiar form, as we might say Auntie. Her closest uncle is un oncle, (uhn ohn-cl), or Tonton, in the most familiar form. A male cousin is un cousin, (uhn coo-zan), and a female cousin is une cousine, (oon coo-zeen).

Personality Traits in French

Has anyone ever tried to set you up on a blind date? How did your friend describe the potential soulmate? In addition to physical appearance, personality traits are descriptors you might want to know in a situation like this. If your friend told you the person is tall with brown hair, you would certainly want more details! Before you agree to meet, you might want to know if this friend-of-a-friend is a hard worker or lazy, and if the person is intelligent, nice, kind, pleasant, or creative, for example. Now let’s say you’re in France and a friend tries to set you up on a blind date. You’ll need to know some personality trait vocabulary in French. Let’s look at some basic personality trait adjectives in French:
Masculine Plural Masculine Feminine Plural Feminine English Translation
intelligent intelligents (an tehl ee jahn) intelligente intelligentes (an tehl ee jahntuh) intelligent
gentil gentils (jahn tee) gentille gentilles (jahn teeyuh) kind
avare avares (ah vahr) avare avares (ah vahr) stingy
sympathique sympathiques (sam pah teek) sympathique sympathiques (sam pah teek) nice/sympathetic
méchant méchants (meh shahn) méchante méchantes (meh shahn tuh) mean
créatif créatifs (cray ah teef) créative créatives (cray ah teev) creative
artistique artistiques (ahr tee steek) artistique artistiques (ahr tee steek) artistic
timide timides (tee meed) timide timides (tee meed) timid/ shy
sortant sortants (sohr tahn) sortante sortantes (sohr tahntuh) outgoing
branché branchés (brahn shay) branchée branchées (brahn shay) cool/connected
charmant charmants (shahr mahn) charmante charmantes (shahr mahntuh) charming
fidèle fidèles (fee dehl) fidèle fidèles (fee dehl) loyal
bavard bavards (bah vahr) bavarde bavardes (bah vahr duh) talkative
calme calmes (cahl muh) calme calmes (cahlmuh) quiet/ calm
organisé organisés (ohr gah nee zay) organisée organisées (ohr gah nee zay) organized
désorganisé désorganisés (day zohr gah nee zay) désorganisée désorganisées (day zohr gah nee zay) disorganized/messy
compréhensif compréhensifs (cohm pray ahn seef) compréhensive compréhensives (cohm pray ahn seev) understanding
bon bons (bohn) bonne bonnes (buhnnuh) good
mauvais mauvais (moh vay) mauvaise mauvaises (moh vehz) bad
paresseux paresseux (pah reh suh) paresseuse paresseuses (pah reh suhz) lazy
travailleur travailleurs (trah vah ee uhr) travailleuse travailleuses (trah vah ee uhz) hardworking

French Conjugations:

Er- Verb
1. ACCOMPAGNER : to accompany
Je: accompagne Nous: accompagnons
Tu: accompagnes Vous: accompagnez
Il: accompagne Ils: accompagnent
2. AIDER : to help
Je: aide Nous: aidons
Tu: aides Vous: aidez
Il: aide Ils: aident
3. AIMER : to like, love
Je: aime Nous: aimons
Tu: aimes Vous: aimez
Il: aime Ils: aiment
4. APPORTER : to bring
Je: apporte Nous: apportons
Tu: apportes Vous: apportez
Il: apporte Ils: apportent
5. CHANTER : to sing
Je: chante Nous: chantons
Tu: chantes Vous: chantez
Il: chante Ils: chantent
6. COÛTER : to cost
Je: coûte Nous: coûtons
Tu: coûtes Vous: coûtez
Il: coûte Ils: coûtent
7. DANSER : to dance
Je: danse Nous: dansons
Tu: danses Vous: dansez
Il: danse Ils: dansent
8. FERMER : to close
Je: ferme Nous: fermons
Tu: fermes Vous: fermez
Il: ferme Ils: ferment
9. JOUER : to play
Je: joue Nous: jouons
Tu: joues Vous: jouez
Il: joue Ils: jouent
10. LAVER : to wash
Je: lave Nous: lavons
Tu: laves Vous: lavez
Il: lave Ils: lavent
11. MARCHER : to walk, go
Je: marche Nous: marchons
Tu: marches Vous: marchez
Il: marche Ils: marchent
12. MONTRER : to show
Je: montre Nous: montrons
Tu: montres Vous: montrez
Il: montre Ils: montrent
13. OUBLIER : to forget
Je: oublie Nous: oublions
Tu: oublies Vous: oubliez
Il: oublie Ils: oublient
14. PASSER : to pass
Je: passe Nous: passons
Tu: passes Vous: passez
Il: passe Ils: passent
15. PENSER : to think
Je: pense Nous: pensons
Tu: penses Vous: pensez
Il: pense Ils: pensent
16. PRÉPARER : to prepare
Je: prépare Nous: préparons
Tu: prépares Vous: préparez
Il: prépare Ils: préparent
17. RACONTER : to relate, tell
Je: raconte Nous: racontons
Tu: racontes Vous: racontez
Il: raconte Ils: racontent
18. ÉCOUTER : to listen (to)
Je: écoute Nous: écoutons
Tu: écoutes Vous: écoutez
Il: écoute Ils: écoutent
19. ÉTUDIER : to study
Je: étudie Nous: étudions
Tu: étudies Vous: étudiez
Il: étudie Ils: étudient
LE PRESENT: -ir verbs
1. AGIR : to act
Je: agis Nous: agissons
Tu: agis Vous: agissez
Il: agit Ils: agissent
2. BÂTIR : to build
Je: bâtis Nous: bâtissons
Tu: bâtis Vous: bâtissez
Il: bâtit Ils: bâtissent
3. CHOISIR : to choose
Je: choisis Nous: choisissons
Tu: choisis Vous: choisissez
Il: choisit Ils: choisissent
4. DÉSOBÉIR : to disobey
Je: désobéis Nous: désobéissons
Tu: désobéis Vous: désobéissez
Il: désobéit Ils: désobéissent
5. FINIR : to finish
Je: finis Nous: finissons
Tu: finis Vous: finissez
Il: finit Ils: finissent
6. GUÉRIR : to cure
Je: guéris Nous: guérissons
Tu: guéris Vous: guérissez
Il: guérit Ils: guérissent
7. NOURRIR : to feed
Je: nourris Nous: nourrissons
Tu: nourris Vous: nourrissez
Il: nourrit Ils: nourrissent
8. OBÉIR : to obey
Je: obéis Nous: obéissons
Tu: obéis Vous: obéissez
Il: obéit Ils: obéissent
9. PUNIR : to punish
Je: punis Nous: punissons
Tu: punis Vous: punissez
Il: punit Ils: punissent
10. REMPLIR : to fill
Je: remplis Nous: remplissons
Tu: remplis Vous: remplissez
Il: remplit Ils: remplissent
11. ROUGIR : to blush
Je: rougis Nous: rougissons
Tu: rougis Vous: rougissez
Il: rougit Ils: rougissent
12. RÉFLÉCHIR : to think, reflect
Je: réfléchis Nous: réfléchissons
Tu: réfléchis Vous: réfléchissez
Il: réfléchit Ils: réfléchissent
13. RÉUSSIR : to succeed
Je: réussis Nous: réussissons
Tu: réussis Vous: réussissez
Il: réussit Ils: réussissent
14. SAISIR : to seize
Je: saisis Nous: saisissons
Tu: saisis Vous: saisissez
Il: saisit Ils: saisissent
LE PRESENT: -re verbs
1. ATTENDRE : to wait (for)
Je: attends Nous: attendons
Tu: attends Vous: attendez
Il: attend Ils: attendent
2. DESCENDRE : to go (come) down
Je: descends Nous: descendons
Tu: descends Vous: descendez
Il: descend Ils: descendent
3. DÉFENDRE : to defend
Je: défends Nous: défendons
Tu: défends Vous: défendez
Il: défend Ils: défendent
4. ENTENDRE : to hear
Je: entends Nous: entendons
Tu: entends Vous: entendez
Il: entend Ils: entendent
5. INTERROMPRE : to interrupt
Je: interromps Nous: interrompons
Tu: interromps Vous: interrompez
Il: interrompt Ils: interrompent
6. PERDRE : to lose
Je: perds Nous: perdons
Tu: perds Vous: perdez
Il: perd Ils: perdent
7. RENDRE : to give back, return
Je: rends Nous: rendons
Tu: rends Vous: rendez
Il: rend Ils: rendent
8. ROMPRE : to break
Je: romps Nous: rompons
Tu: romps Vous: rompez
Il: rompt Ils: rompent
9. RÉPONDRE : to answer
Je: réponds Nous: répondons
Tu: réponds Vous: répondez
Il: répond Ils: répondent
10. VENDRE : to sell
Je: vends Nous: vendons
Tu: vends Vous: vendez
Il: vend Ils: vendent
LE PRESENT: irregular -ir verbs
1. DORMIR : to sleep
Je: dors Nous: dormons
Tu: dors Vous: dormez
Il: dort Ils: dorment
2. ENDORMIR : to put to sleep
Je: endors Nous: endormons
Tu: endors Vous: endormez
Il: endort Ils: endorment
3. MENTIR : to lie
Je: mens Nous: mentons
Tu: mens Vous: mentez
Il: ment Ils: mentent
4. PARTIR : to go away
Je: pars Nous: partons
Tu: pars Vous: partez
Il: part Ils: partent
5. SENTIR : to feel
Je: sens Nous: sentons
Tu: sens Vous: sentez
Il: sent Ils: sentent
6. SERVIR : to serve
Je: sers Nous: servons
Tu: sers Vous: servez
Il: sert Ils: servent
7. SORTIR : to go out
Je: sors Nous: sortons
Tu: sors Vous: sortez
Il: sort Ils: sortent
LE PRESENT: irregular verbs
1. ALLER : to go
Je: vais Nous: allons
Tu: vas Vous: allez
Il: va Ils: vont
2. ASSEOIR : to sit
Je: assieds Nous: asseyons
Tu: assieds Vous: asseyez
Il: assied Ils: asseyent
3. AVOIR : to have
Je: ai Nous: avons
Tu: as Vous: avez
Il: a Ils: ont
4. BATTRE : to beat
Je: bats Nous: battons
Tu: bats Vous: battez
Il: bat Ils: battent
5. BOIRE : to drink
Je: bois Nous: buvons
Tu: bois Vous: buvez
Il: boit Ils: boivent
6. CONDUIRE : to drive
Je: conduis Nous: conduisons
Tu: conduis Vous: conduisez
Il: conduit Ils: conduisent
7. CONNAÎTRE : to be acquainted with
Je: connais Nous: connaissons
Tu: connais Vous: connaissez
Il: connaît Ils: connaissent
8. COURIR : to run
Je: cours Nous: courons
Tu: cours Vous: courez
Il: court Ils: courent
9. CRAINDRE : to fear
Je: crains Nous: craignons
Tu: crains Vous: craignez
Il: craint Ils: craignent
10. CROIRE : to believe
Je: crois Nous: croyons
Tu: crois Vous: croyez
Il: croit Ils: croient
11. DEVOIR : to have to
Je: dois Nous: devons
Tu: dois Vous: devez
Il: doit Ils: doivent
12. DIRE : to say
Je: dis Nous: disons
Tu: dis Vous: dites
Il: dit Ils: disent
13. FAIRE : to do
Je: fais Nous: faisons
Tu: fais Vous: faites
Il: fait Ils: font
14. LIRE : to read
Je: lis Nous: lisons
Tu: lis Vous: lisez
Il: lit Ils: lisent
15. METTRE : to put on
Je: mets Nous: mettons
Tu: mets Vous: mettez
Il: met Ils: mettent
16. OUVRIR : to open
Je: ouvre Nous: ouvrons
Tu: ouvres Vous: ouvrez
Il: ouvre Ils: ouvrent
17. PLAIRE : to please
Je: plais Nous: plaisons
Tu: plais Vous: plaisez
Il: plaît Ils: plaisent
18. POUVOIR : to be able
Je: peux Nous: pouvons
Tu: peux Vous: pouvez
Il: peut Ils: peuvent
19. PRENDRE : to take
Je: prends Nous: prenons
Tu: prends Vous: prenez
Il: prend Ils: prennent
20. RECEVOIR : to receive
Je: reçois Nous: recevons
Tu: reçois Vous: recevez
Il: reçoit Ils: reçoivent
21. RIRE : to laugh
Je: ris Nous: rions
Tu: ris Vous: riez
Il: rit Ils: rient
22. SAVOIR : to know
Je: sais Nous: savons
Tu: sais Vous: savez
Il: sait Ils: savent
23. SUIVRE : to follow
Je: suis Nous: suivons
Tu: suis Vous: suivez
Il: suit Ils: suivent
24. TAIRE : to not tell
Je: tais Nous: taisons
Tu: tais Vous: taisez
Il: tait Ils: taisent
25. TENIR : to hold
Je: tiens Nous: tenons
Tu: tiens Vous: tenez
Il: tient Ils: tiennent
26. VALOIR : to be worth
Je: vaux Nous: valons
Tu: vaux Vous: valez
Il: vaut Ils: valent
27. VENIR : to come
Je: viens Nous: venons
Tu: viens Vous: venez
Il: vient Ils: viennent
28. VIVRE : to live
Je: vis Nous: vivons
Tu: vis Vous: vivez
Il: vit Ils: vivent
29. VOIR : to see
Je: vois Nous: voyons
Tu: vois Vous: voyez
Il: voit Ils: voient
30. VOULOIR : to want
Je: veux Nous: voulons
Tu: veux Vous: voulez
Il: veut Ils: veulent
31. ÉCRIRE : to write
Je: écris Nous: écrivons
Tu: écris Vous: écrivez
Il: écrit Ils: écrivent
32. ÊTRE : to be
Je: suis Nous: sommes
Tu: es Vous: êtes
Il: est Ils: sont

Expressions of Quantity with Numbers or de

The French pronoun en replaces phrases that indicate quantities (of things or people). Quantities can be expressed with numbers, expressions, indefinite articles, and partitive articles:
  • A number: J’ai trois chats. (I have three cats.)

  • An expression + de: Il a beaucoup de CDs. (He has a lot of CDs.)

  • An indefinite article: Nous avons une voiture bleue. (We have a blue car.)

  • A partitive article: Ils ont de la chance. (They have some luck.)

The word de in an expression of quantity like un peu de (a little bit of) or just a number + noun is replaced by the pronoun en. But don’t lose track of that specific quantity when you are using the pronoun: Eating “a lot of chocolate” is not the same as eating “a little bit of chocolate”! How do you keep track of the quantity? That’s super easy: Just put the quantity you’re talking about at the end of the sentence, no matter where en is in the sentence. Here’s how to proceed:
  1. Find the quantity phrase.

    For example, in Les athlètes ont beaucoup de médailles. (The athletes have a lot of medals.), the expression of quantity is beaucoup de médailles.

  2. Remove the entire phrase: the expression of quantity (+ de) + noun.

    In this example, you’re left with Les athlètes ont.

  3. Replace the phrase with the pronoun en and place the pronoun properly in the sentence — in this sentence, before the conjugated verb.

    In this case, you have Les athlètes en ont.

  4. Add the expression of quantity (same one or a new one), without de, at the very end of the sentence.

    Here, you wind up with Les athlètes en ont beaucoup. (The athletes have a lot of them.)

Here are a few examples using different expressions of quantity of this type.
Je bois un verre de lait. (I drink a glass of milk.) → J’en bois un verre. (I drink a glass of it.)
Elle a un portable. (She has a cellphone.) → Elle en a un. (She has one [of them].)
Le champion a gagné neuf médailles. (The champion won nine medals.) → Le champion en a gagné neuf. (The champion won nine [of them].)
Note: The indefinite article un (a, an) counts as a specific quantity and has to be taken up as such in the new sentence with en. This fact also applies to the indefinite article une (a) but not to the indefinite article des (some). This construction is particularly useful when you are asked how many of something you have or want.
Combien d’animaux est-ce que tu as chez toi? (How many pets do you have?)
J’en ai trois: un chien, un chat et un poisson rouge. (I have three: a dog, a cat, and a goldfish.)
Tu bois du lait le matin? (Do you drink any milk in the morning?)
Oui, j’en bois un verre. (Yes, I drink a glass of it.)

Framing Questions in French Using Est-Ce Que

In French, you can ask a question in a couple of different ways. In English, when you ask a yes/no question in present tense, you typically begin with Do you, and the verb follows. (For example, Do you have a cat?) French has two primary ways of asking the same question:
  • Add est-ce que at the beginning of a sentence.

  • Use inversion, but it’s a bit more complex and usually reserved for written style/expression.

You can form a question by starting the sentence with the tag est-ce que and ending it with a question mark. Est-ce que doesn’t translate in English, but it’s the equivalent of Do you or Are you. Here are some examples:
Statement: Mes amis vont au cinéma. (My friends go to the movies.)
Question: Est-ce que mes amis vont au cinéma? (Are my friends going to the movies?)
Statement: Je peux sortir. (I can go out.)
Question: Est-ce que je peux sortir? (Can I go out?)
Statement: C’est facile (It’s easy.)
Question: Est-ce que c’est facile? (Is it easy?)

If est-ce que precedes a subject that begins with a vowel, it changes to est-ce qu’ as illustrated in the following example:

Est-ce qu’il pleut? (Is it raining?)

How to use of ‘VENIR DE + infinitive verb”

French Vocabulary

The expression ‘VENIR DE + infinitive verb’ expresses the notion of just did something.

  • ‘VENIR DE’ may be in the present tense. It expresses the idea of ‘just did something’ or ‘just have done something’.
    • Je viens de manger => I just ate

pronoun

present

verb

English

je

viens de

manger

I just ate

tu

viens d’

acheter

you just bought

elle

vient de

parler

she just talked

il

vient d’

aller

he/it just went

on

vient de

boire

we just drank

nous

venons de

voir

we just saw

vous

venez de

vendre

you just sold

ils

viennent de

visiter

they just visited

elles

viennent de

travailler

they just worke

À – French Preposition

À is a very important French preposition, despite its tiny size. Its many different meanings and uses in French include all of the following:I. Location or destinationJ’habite à Paris – I live in ParisJe vais à Rome – I’m going to RomeJe suis à la banque – I’m at the bankII. Distance in time or space J’habite à 10 mètres de lui – I live 10 meters from him Il est à 5 minutes de moi – He is 5 minutes from me III. Point in time Nous arrivons à 5h00 – We arrive at 5:00 Il est mort à 92 ans – He died at the age of 92 IV. Manner, style, or characteristic Il habite à la française – He lives in the French style un enfant aux yeux bleus – blue-eyed child / child with blue eyes fait à la main – made by hand aller à pied – to go on / by foot V. Possession un ami à moi – a friend of mine Ce livre est à Jean – This is Jean’s book VI. Measurement acheter au kilo – to buy by the kilogram payer à la semaine – to pay by the week VII. Purpose or use une tasse à thé – teacup / cup for tea un sac à dos – backpack / pack for the back VIII. In the Passive Infinitive À louer – for rent Je n’ai rien à lire – I have nothing to read.
Note: When followed by the definite articles le and les, à contracts with them into a single word:
For example
à + le = au au magasin
à + les = aux aux maisons
But à does not contract with la or l’
à + la = à la à la banque
à + l’ = à l’ à l’hôpital
In addition, à does not contract with le and les when they are direct objects.
 
Conjugating Reflexive Verbsreflexive verb infinitive is identified by its reflexive pronoun se, which is placed before the infinitive and that serves as a direct or indirect object pronoun. A reflexive verb shows that the subject is performing the action upon itself and, therefore, the subject and the reflexive pronoun refer to the same person or thing, as in je m’appelle (I call myself), which is translated to “My name is.” Some verbs must always be reflexive, whereas other verbs may be made reflexive by adding the correct object pronoun. The meaning of some verbs varies depending upon whether or not the verb is used reflexively. Reflexive verbs are always conjugated with the reflexive pronoun that agrees with the subject: me (myself), te (yourself), se (himself, herself, itself, themselves), nous (ourselves), and vous (yourself, yourselves). These pronouns generally precede the verb. Follow the rules for conjugating regular verbs, verbs with spelling changes, and irregular verbs, depending on of the tense, as shown in Table 1: Reflexive constructions have the following translations: Consider the following most commonly used reflexive verbs. Those marked with asterisks have shoe verb spelling change within the infinitive. In addition, some French verbs are always reflexive despite the fact that in English they are not: When a subject is followed by two verbs (and keep in mind that when the first one is conjugated, the second must be in the infinitive, the reflexive pronoun precedes the infinitive, because its meaning is tied to that verb:

Reflexive or Non‐Reflexive?

The meaning of certain verbs allows the use of the verb either as reflexive or non‐reflexive, depending upon whom the action is performed. Me, te, se, nous, and vous are also used as direct and indirect object pronouns when not used reflexively. Be sure, therefore, to pay attention to the meaning you wish to convey. Some verbs in French have different meanings when used reflexively, as shown in Table 1. Even verbs that are not generally used as reflexive verbs may be made reflexive by adding the reflexive pronoun: Reflexive verbs may be used in the plural to express reciprocal action meaning “each other” or “one another:” Reflexive Verbs and Compound Tenses In compound tenses like the passé composé, reflexive verbs use êtreas their helping (auxiliary) verb. The reflexive pronoun remains before the conjugated helping form of être, as follows: When the reflexive pronoun is used as a direct object, as in “Whom did they wash? Themselves! ” the past participle agrees with the reflexive pronoun: Ils se sont lavés. (They washed themselves.) When the reflexive pronoun is used as an indirect object (“To/for whom did they wash something? For themselves!”), the past participle shows no agreement: Ils se sont lavé la figure. (They washed their faces.) Even verbs that are not generally used as reflexive verbs may be made reflexive by adding the reflexive pronoun: Reflexive verbs may be used in the plural to express reciprocal action meaning “each other” or “one another:”

Passé Composé

The Passé Composé with Avoir

Using avoir as the helping verb is a logical choice in a tense that expresses an action that has occurred. Although English usage often omits the use of “have” when it is implied (You may say, “I lost my keys” and not, “I have lost my keys”), in French, you must always use the helping verb: J’ai perdu mes clefs. To form the passé composé of verbs using avoir, conjugate avoir in the present tense (j’ai, tu as, il a, nous avons, vous avez, ils ont) and add the past participle of the verb expressing the action. Put the words together this way: subject + helping verb (usually avoir) + past participle. The passé composé, a compound past tense, is formed by combining two elements: when (the action has taken place and, therefore, requires the helping verb avoir) and what (the action that has happened and, therefore, requires the past participle of the regular or irregular verb showing the particular action). See Figure 1. Here are some examples of the passé composé. Elle a expliqué son problème. (She explained her problem.) Ils ont réussi. (They succeeded.) J’ai entendu les nouvelles. (I heard the news.) Forming the negative in the passé composé with avoir In a negative sentence in the passé composé, ne precedes the helping verb, and the negative word (pas, rien, jamais, and so on follows it: Je n’ai rien préparé. (I didn’t prepare anything.) Nous n’avons pas fini le travail. (We didn’t finish the work.) Il n’a jamais répondu à la lettre. (He never answered the letter.) Questions in the passé composé with avoir To form a question in the passé composé using inversion, invert the conjugated helping verb with the subject pronoun and add a hyphen. Then place the negative around the hyphenated helping verb and subject pronoun: As‐tu mangé? (Did you eat?) N’as‐tu rien mangé? (Didn’t you eat anything?) A‐t‐il attendu les autres? (Did he wait for the others?) N’a‐t‐il pas attendu? (Didn’t he wait for the others?) Regular verbs follow a prescribed set of rules for the formation of the past participle, whereas irregular verbs (discussed in the following section) must be memorized. Past participles of verbs conjugated with avoir agree in gender (masculine or feminine — add e) and number (singular or plural — add s) with a preceding direct object noun or pronoun: Le(s) film(s)? (The film[s]?) Je l'(les)ai aimé(s). (I liked it [them].) Quelle(s) robe(s) a‐t‐elle choisie(s)? (Which dress[es] did she choose?) Il nous a vus. (He saw us.)

The Passé Composé with Être

The passé composé of 17 verbs is formed by combining the present tense of être (je suis, tu es, il est, nous sommes, vous êtes, ils sont) and then adding the past participle of the verb showing the action. Most of these verbs express motion or a change of place, state, or condition (that is, going up, going down, going in, going out, or remaining). Dr. and Mrs. Vandertrampp live in the house in Figure , as illustrated in Table 1. Their name may help you memorize the 17 verbs using être. An asterisk (*) in Table 6 denotes an irregular past participle. Verbs whose helping verb is être must show agreement of their past participles in gender (masculine or feminine — add e) and number (singular or plural — add s) with the subject noun or pronoun, as shown in Table 2 : Remember the following rules when using être as a helping verb in the passé composé: Vous can be a singular or plural subject for both masculine and feminine subjects. Singular Plural Vous êtes entré. (You entered.) Vous êtes entrés. (You entered.) Vous êtes entrée. (You entered.) Vous êtes entrées. (You entered.) For a mixed group, always use the masculine form. Roger et Bernard sont revenus. (Roger and Bernard came back.) Louise et Mireille sont revenues. (Louise and Mireille came back.) Roger et Louise sont revenus. (Roger and Louise came back.) If the masculine past participle ends in an unpronounced consonant, pronounce the consonant for the feminine singular and plural forms: Il est mort. (He died.) Ils sont morts. (They died.) Elle est morte. (She died.) Elles sont mortes. (They died.) Forming the negative in the passé composé with être In the negative, put ne before the conjugated form of être and the negative word after it: Il n’est pas sorti. (He didn’t go out.) Elles ne sont pas encore arrivées. (They didn’t arrive yet.) Questions in the passé composé with être To form a question using inversion, invert the conjugated form of être with the subject pronoun and add a hyphen. The negatives surround the hyphenated verb and pronoun: Sont‐ils partis? (Did they leave?) Ne sont‐ils pas partis? (Didn’t they leave?)

Future Tense

The future tense expresses what the subject will do or is going to do in the future. It also describes what action will or is going to take place at a future time. Although the future tense is usually used for events taking place in the future, the present tense in French may be used to refer to an action that will take place very soon or to ask for future instructions. In addition, you can express an imminent action in the near future by conjugating the verb aller (to go) in the present tense and adding the infinitive of the action the speaker will perform. Keep in mind that the irregular present tense of aller is je vais, tu vas, il va, nous allons, vous allez, and ils vont. Otherwise, use the future tense in the following cases: Future tense of regular verbs Form the future tense of regular verbs, as shown in Table 1, by adding the following endings (often referred to as avoir endings because they resemble the present conjugation of avoir) to the verb infinitive. Note the following about forming the future tense of regular verbs: All verbs that require spelling changes form the future in the same way as regular verbs: infinitive + future ending (except the following): For verbs ending in yer (except envoyer, which is irregular), change yto i in all forms of the future tense. Verbs ending in ‐ ayer may or may not make this change: For verbs ending in e + consonant + er (but not é + consonant + er), change the silent e before the infinitive ending to è in all forms of the future tense. With appeler and jeter, double the consonant in the future tense. Future tense of irregular verbs Irregular verbs in the future have future stems ending in r or rr. Add the future endings to these stems to get the correct future form, as shown in Table 2. Negating in the future tense To negate a sentence in the future, simply put ne and the negative word around the conjugated verb: Remember that pronouns remain before the conjugated verb: Je ne te téléphonerai pas. (I will not call you.) Questions in the future tense To form a question using inversion, reverse the order of the subject pronoun and the verb and join them with a hyphen: The Conditional The conditional is not a tense because it does not refer to a time period. Instead, the conditional is a mood that expresses what a subject would do under certain circumstances. Use the conditional in the following situations: Study French at the best French language centre in Coimbatore The conditional uses the same stem as the future tense, but you then add the conditional endings, which are exactly the same as the imperfect endings, as shown in Table 1. For irregular verbs and verbs with spelling changes, you simply add conditional endings to the stems used for the future. Irregularities in the future and conditional also occur in related verbs: Negating in the conditional To negate a sentence in the conditional, simply put ne and the negative word around the conjugated verb: Remember that pronouns remain before the conjugated verb: Il ne vous punirait pas. (He wouldn’t punish you.) Questions in the conditional To form a question using inversion, reverse the order of the subject pronoun and the verb and join them with a hyphen: French Prepositions of Place – Countries, Cities, Regions Why do you say “Je vais en France” but “Je vais au Japon”? Like any inanimate object, continents, countries, and regions also have genders in French. The ending will usually tell you which is feminine or masculine and help you choose the correct French preposition of place. A – General Rule About French Prepositions of Places When the name of a region ends in an E, it’s usually feminine. La France, l’Angleterre, la Suisse, la Chine, l’Inde, la Californie, l’Asie (There are many exceptions though, such as Le Mexique, Le Maine, Le Zimbabwe…) When the name of a region ends in any other vowel but Eor a consonant, it’s usually masculine. Le Canada, le Japon, le Portugal, le Burundi, le Luxembourg, le Texas When a masculine country starts with a vowel or an H, use the rules of the feminine countries L’Iran, l’Ouganda, Oman, Angola, Israël B – Particular Cases About French Prepositions of Places Unfortunately, there are too many exceptions to be listed… So be ready to face many particular cases. Here are some pointers 1 – Plural names A few names of regions are plural. Most plural regions end in an S, but not all regions ending in an S are plural (le Laos, L’Arkansas)… So with plural regions, here is the rule Les États-Unis, les Maldives, les Pays-Bas, Les Philippines… Note the pronunciation of les États-Unis – there are 2 strong liaisons in Z, whether its introduced by les, aux or des = Zéta Zuni 2 – Cities Cities are usually not introduced by any article, and are usually feminine. Paris est belle (because here Paris refers to “la ville de Paris”). But some cities include an article in their name – Le Havre, le Caire, La Paz, Les Andelys… For these, usually the article contracts with the à, becoming au, du etc… 3 – Islands Are messy business in French… !! Many don’t have any article, and will be introduced by à or de Je vais à Cuba, à Haïti, à Madagascar But some are masculine Je vais au Japon And some are feminine Je vais en Corse And other plural Je vais aux Maldives So it’s more like a case by case scenario… 4 – Regions and states These usually follow the general rules for gender. La Provence, Le Sussex, l’Oregon. Note that in the US, the states are masculine except: La Floride, La Californie, La Caroline du Sud, La Caroline du Nord, La Louisiane, la Georgie, la Virginie occidentale (West Virginia), la Virginie Orientale (Virginia), La Pennsylvanie. But watch out… Le Maine. For prepositions used with  regions and states, it’s very difficult to say there is a rule per se… We tend not to use à, but rather en, au, aux or dans le, dans la, dans les… It’s really a matter of custom, not grammar. Au Texas, dans le Maine, en Bourgogne, en Californie, dans la Creuse….
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Dutch Course
Articles:Dutch has three articles, two definite articles, de and het(the), and one indefinite article een(a or an).Definite articles ‘the’ Definite articles: `de‘ and `het‘:De is used before masculine and feminine nouns and het before neuter nouns. We usually talk about de-words and het- words. There is no way to tell from a given word whether it is one or the other. It is advisable therefore to learn the article together with the new noun that is being learned. Two useful rules may be worth remembering:I. ALL PLURALS ARE DE-WORDS: although `huis’ is a het-word (het huis), the plural is `de huizen’, etc.ii. ALL SINGULAR DIMINUTIVES ARE HET-WORDS: although `tafel’ (table) is a de-word (de tafel), the diminutive is `het tafeltje’, etc.Note: Plurals take preference over diminutives, so we say not only `de huisjes’ but also `de tafeltjes’, etc.2.2 Indefinite articles ‘a, an’ Indefinite article: `een’: `Een’ is pronounced very much like `an’ in `an apple’ and also has the same meaning and function as the indefinite article in English: `a child’ in English is `een kind’ in Dutch; `an accident’ is `een ongeluk’ in Dutch.Personal pronouns Personal Pronouns:
Singular
Person Dutch English
1st ik I
2nd je (unstressed),jij (stressed) you (informal)
2nd u you (formal)
3rd hij he
3rd ze (unstressed),zij(stressed) she
3rd het it
Plural
Person Dutch English
1st we (unstressed), wij (stressed) we
2nd jullie you (informal)
2nd u you (formal)
3rd ze (unstressed), zij (stressed) they
Verb ‘to be’ – ‘zijn’ Het werkwoord “zijn” (The verb “to be”):
Dutch English
ik ben  I am
je bent (ben je?) you are (informal, unstressed)
jij bent (ben jij?) you are (informal, stressed)
u bent (bent u?) you are (formal)
hij is he is
ze is she is (unstressed)
zij is she is (stressed)
het is it is
we zijn we are (unstressed)
wij zijn we are (stressed)
jullie zijn you are
ze zijn they are (unstressed)
zij zijn they are (stressed)
Possessive adjectives Possessive Adjectives:
Singular
Person Dutch English
1st mijn my
2nd je (unstressed),jouw (stressed) your (informal)
2nd uw your (formal)
3rd zijn his
3rd haar her
Plural
Person Dutch English
1st ons/onze our
2nd jullie your (informal)
2nd uw your (formal)
3rd hun their
 Verb ‘to have’
Dutch English
ik heb I have
je/jij hebt (heb je/jij?) you have (informal)
u heeft you have (formal)
hij/ze/zij/het heeft he/she/it has
we/wij hebben we have
jullie hebben you have
ze/zij hebben they have
Note i: When jij/je follows the verb, no -t is added. Normally we say: jij/je hebt. In reverse order we get: Heb jij/je, eg. in questions. 2.7 The question vorm De vragende vorm (The question form): In questions the order of subject and verb is reversed: Jij hebt een huis – Heb jij een huis? (huis – house) Hij is een man – Is hij een man? 2.8 Numerals   Telwoorden (Numerals):
Numeral Cardinal Ordinal
1 een (one) eerste (first)
2 twee (two) tweede (second)
3 drie derde
4 vier vierde
5 vijf vijfde
6 zes zesde
7 zeven zevende
8 acht achtste
9 negen negende
10 tien tiende
11 elf elfde
12 twaalf twaalfde
13 dertien dertiende
14 veertien veertiende
15 vijftien vijftiende
16 zestien zestiende
17 zeventien zeventiende
18 achtien achttiende
19 negentien negentiende
20 twintig twintigste
 New Words in Dutch
meneer (mnr.) mister
mevrouw (mev.) Mrs., madam
de man the man, husband
de vrouw the woman, wife
het kind the child
de jongen(s) the boy(s)
het meisje the girl
de broer the brother
het zusje the sister
het huis house, home
de familie the family
geen no (not a, not any)
of or
van of
wat what
mooi nice
ja yes
nee no
hoe how
oud old
en and
 The van Dam family  De familie van Dam
Meneer Van Dam is een man. Hij heeft een vrouw. Zijn vrouw is mevrouw Van    Dam. Meneer en mevrouw Van Dam hebben drie kinderen. Henk is de broer van Wim. Hannie is hun zusje; zij is 15. Hannie is geen jongen; zij is een meisje. De  familie Van Dam heeft een huis. Het is een mooi huis. æ Mr. Van Dam is a man. He has a wife. His wife is Mrs. van Dam. Mr. and Mrs. van Dam have three children. Henk is Wim’s brother. Hannie is their little sister; she is 15. Hannie is not a boy; she is a girl. The van Dam family has a house. It is a beautiful house.
Exercise 29. Vertaal de bovenstaande zinnen (Translate the sentences above). Exercise 30.Beantwoord de vragen (Answer the questions): 1. Wat is meneer Van Dam? 2. Is mevrouw Van Dam een vrouw? 3. Hebben zij kinderen? 4. Hebben zij twee kinderen? 5. Is Wim een meisje? 6. Is Henk het zusje van Hannie? 8. Zijn Wim en Henk de zusjes van Hannie? 9. Heeft Hannie een zusje? 10. Heeft de familie Van Dam een mooi huis? 1. Ben jij een jongen of een meisje? 2. Hoe oud ben je? 3. Heb je een broer? 4. Heb je een zusje? 5. Heb je een man of een vrouw? 6. Hebben jullie een huis?
1 Meneer Van Dam is een man. Mr. van Dam is a man.
2 Ja, mevrouw Van Dam is een vrouw. Yes, Mrs. van Dam is a woman.
3 Ja, zij hebben kinderen. Yes, they have children.
4 Nee, zij hebben drie kinderen. No, they have three children.
5 Nee, Wim is geen meisje. No, Wim is not a girl.
6 Nee, Henk is de broer van Hannie. No, Henk is Hannie’s brother.
7 Ja, Hannie is dertien. Yes, Hannie is thirteen.
8 Nee, Wim en Henk zijn de broers van Hannie. No, Wim and Henk are Hannie’s brothers.
9 Nee, Hannie heeft geen zusje. No, Hannie does not have a little sister.
10 Ja, de familie Van Dam heeft een mooi huis. Yes, the Van Dam family have a beautiful house.
Weak Verbs: The verb `werken'(to work) can serve as a model for a group of so-called weak verbs which are all conjugated the same way and form the various tenses on the same principles. These verbs are called `weak’ because the stem of the verb, in this case `werk’, never changes. werken(to work)
Person Present Indefinite Past Indefinite Present Perfect
ik werk ik werkte ik heb gewerkt
jij werkt jij werkte jij hebt gewerkt
hij werkt hij werkte hij heeft gewerkt
3 zij werkt zij werkte zij heeft gewerkt
3 het werkt het werkte het heeft gewerkt
wij werken wij werkten wij hebben gewerkt
jullie werken jullie werkten jullie hebben gewerkt
zij werken zij werkten zij hebben gewer
luisteren(to listen)
Person Present Indefinite Past Indefinite Present Perfect
1 ik luister ik luisterde ik heb geluisterd
2 jij luistert jij luisterde jij hebt geluisterd
3 hij luistert hij luisterde hij heeft geluisterd
3 zij luistert zij luisterde zij heeft geluisterd
3 het luistert het luisterde het heeft geluisterd
1 wij luisteren wij luisterden wij hebben geluisterd
2 jullie luisteren jullie luisterden jullie hebben geluisterd
3 zij luisteren zij luisterden zij hebben geluisterd
Words that have a k, f, s, ch, or p before the `-en’ in the infinitive, such as `werken’ above, form the Past Tense and Perfect Tenses by means of a t; all other weak verbs take a d. Note: The same happens in spoken form in English words: a t is heard in `worked’ and `chopped’ although these words are spelled with a d. In words like `listened’ and `lived’ on the other hand, a d sound is heard. An easy way to remember which words take t is to form a word of the letters mentioned above, namely KoFSCHiP. Other verbs in this group are: wandelen(to stroll, to go for a walk), poetsen(to brush), fietsen(to bike), branden (to burn), winkelen(to go shopping), antwoorden(to answer), regenen(to rain), tekenen(to draw), oefenen(to practice, to exercise), and zeilen(to sail). Exercise 31. Conjugate the words in the previous paragraph in the same way as in the examples above. A verb which is also `weak’ because the stem doesn’t change, is, for example, `wonen'(to live, to reside). Words like `wonen’ are here put in a different group because of the difference in spelling. wonen
Person Present Indefinite Past Indefinite Present Perfect
1 ik woon ik woonde ik heb gewoond
2 jij woont jij woonde jij hebt gewoond
3 hij woont hij woonde hij heeft gewoond
1 wij wonen wij woonden wij hebben gewoond
2 jullie wonen jullie woonden jullie hebben gewoond
3 zij wonen zij woonden zij hebben gewoond
The stem of the verb `branden’ ends on a `d’ (brand). When `de(n)’ is added for the past tense, there will be two d’s. Branden:
Person Present Indefinite Past Indefinite Present Perfect
1 ik brand ik brandde ik heb gebrand
2 jij brandt jij brandde jij hebt gebrand
3 hij brandt hij brandde hij heeft gebrand
1 wij branden wij brandden wij hebben gebrand
2 jullie branden jullie brandden jullie hebben gebrand
3 zij branden zij brandden zij hebben gebrand
Other verbs that belong to the same group are, among others, leren(to learn), maken(to make), smaken(to taste), spelen(to play), parkeren(to park), horen(to hear), koken(to cook or boil), lenen(to lend or borrow), plagen(to tease), halen(to fetch), and menen(to mean). Exercise 32. Conjugate the verbs above in all three given tenses. Tenses of ‘to be’ Tenses of `zijn’:
Present Indefinite Past Indefinite Present Perfect
ik ben ik was ik ben geweest (I have been)
jij bent jij was jij bent geweest
hij is hij was hij is geweest
wij zijn wij waren wij zijn geweest
jullie zijn jullie waren jullie zijn geweest
zij zijn zij waren zij zijn geweest

Tenses of ‘to have’ Tenses of hebben:

Present Indefinite Past Indefinite Present Perfect
ik heb ik had ik heb gehad
jij hebt jij had jij hebt gehad
hij heeft hij had hij heeft gehad
wij hebben wij hadden wij hebben gehad
jullie hebben jullie hadden jullie hebben gehad
zij hebben zij hadden zij hebben gehad
Exercise 33. Change the following sentences first in the Past Tense and then in the Present Perfect Tense: 1. Ik heb een zusje. 2. Wij hebben een mooi huis. 3. Jij hebt een broer. 4. Hij heeft drie kinderen. 5. Jullie hebben een tafel. 6. Zij heeft twee zusjes. 7. Zij hebben een huis. Verbs expressing motion or change of state: The verbs `komen’ (to come), `gaan'(to go), `worden'(to become), `gebeuren'(to happen), `zijn’, and certain other verbs ,if they express motion to a destination, such as `fietsen’, `zwemmen'(to swim), `rijden'(to ride), `vertrekken'(to leave or depart), `lopen'(to walk), etc. take the helping verb `zijn’. ik ben gekomen, jij bent gekomen, hij is gekomen, etc. ik ben gegaan, jij bent gegaan, hij is gegaan, etc. ik ben (naar school (to school)) gefietst, etc. Also: de trein is vertrokken (the train has left), etc. het is gebeurd (it has happened), etc. het is koud geworden (it has become cold), etc. Also: hij is geboren (he was born), etc. hij is gestorven (he has died), etc. zij is getrouwd (she was married), etc. Exercise 34. Give the correct form of the verb, in the Present Tense, the Past Tense, and the Present Perfect Tense: 1. Ik (zijn) (g)een meisje. 2. Mary (zijn) ook een meisje. 3. (Zijn) jij een man of een vrouw? 4. Hij  (hebben) een goed boek. 5. (Hebben) jij  ook een mooi boek? 6. De jongen (wandelen) in de tuin. 7. Mary (werken) in de stad. 8. (Luisteren) jullie naar de radio? 9. Philip (luisteren) niet. 10. Hij (praten) te veel. 11. De atleet (oefenen) elke morgen (morning). 12. Waar (planten) je vader de boom? 13. Ik (kennen (to know a person) de vrouw niet. 14. Suzan (branden) haar vinger. 15. (Zagen (to saw, cut) jij het hout voor het vuur? 16. (Wonen) (to live) je vriendin in Grand Rapids? 17. Nee, zij (wonen) in Grand Haven. 18. Ik (pakken) het boek van de tafel. 19. Waar (zijn) het boek? 20. Het kind (spelen) (to play) buiten (outside). 21. Waar (maken) ze auto’s? 22. Zij (singular) (studeren) Nederlands. 23. De student (beantwoorden) de vraag (question). 24. (Oefenen) jij elke (every) dag op de piano? 25. De speler (raken) (to touch) de bal (ball).
No. Present tense Past tense Present Perfect tense
1 Ik ben (g)een meisje. Ik was (g)een meisje. Ik ben (g)een meisje geweest.
2 Mary is ook een meisje. Mary was ook een meisje. Mary is ook een meisje geweest.
3 Ben jij een man of een vrouw? Was jij een man of een vrouw? Ben jij een man of een vrouw geweest?
4 Hij heeft een goed boek. Hij had een goed boek. Hij heeft een goed boek gehad.
5 Heb jij ook een mooi boek? Had jij ook een mooi boek? Heb jij ook een mooi boek gehad?
6 De jongen wandelt in de tuin. De jongen wandelde in de tuin. De jongen heeft in de tuin gewandeld.
7 Mary werkt in de stad Mary werkte in de stad Mary heeft in de stad gewerkt.
8 Luisteren jullie naar de radio? Luisterden jullie naar de radio? Hebben jullie naar de radio geluisterd?
9 Philip luistert niet. Philip luisterde niet. Philip heeft niet geluisterd.
10 Hij praat te veel. Hij praatte te veel. Hij heeft te veel gepraat.
11 De atleet oefent elke morgen. De atleet oefende elke morgen. De atleet heeft elke morgen geoefend.
12 Waar plant je vader de boom? Waar plantte je vader de boom? Waar heeft je vader de boom geplant?
13 Ik ken de vrouw niet. Ik kende de vrouw niet. Ik heb de vrouw niet gekend.
14 Suzan brandt haar vinger. Suzan brandde haar vinger. Suzan heeft haar vinger gebrand.
15 Zaag jij het hout voor het vuur? Zaagde jij het hout voor het vuur? Heb jij het hout voor het vuur gezaagd?
16 Woont je vriendin in Grand Rapids? Woonde je vriendin in Grand Rapids? Heeft je vriendin in Grand Rapids gewoond?
17 Nee, zij woont in Grand Haven. Nee, zij woonde in Grand Haven. Nee, zij heeft in Grand Haven gewoond.
18 Ik pak het boek van de tafel. Ik pakte het boek van de tafel. Ik heb het boek van de tafel gepakt.
19 Waar is het boek? Waar was het boek? Waar is het boek geweest?
20 Het kind speelt buiten. Het kind speelde buiten. Het kind heeft buiten gespeeld.
21 Waar maken ze auto’s? Waar maakten ze auto’s? Waar hebben ze auto’s gemaakt?
22 Zij studeert Nederlands. Zij studeerde Nederlands. Zij heeft Nederlands gestudeerd.
23 De student beantwoordt de vraag. De student beantwoordde de vraag. De student heeft de vraag beantwoord.
24 Oefen jij elke dag op de piano? Oefende jij elke dag op de piano? Heb jij elke dag op de piano geoefend?
25 De speler raakt de bal. De speler raakte de bal. De speler heeft de bal geraakt.
Exercise 35. Change the following sentences first a) into the Past, then b) into the Present Perfect Tense. 1. Meneer Van Dam werkt in Amsterdam. 2. Hij heeft een mooi huis. 3. Hij woont niet in de stad. 4. Is zijn vrouw ziek? 5. Mevrouw Van Dam fietst elke dag naar de stad. (motion) 6. Haar dochter (daughter) gaat(ging – gegaan: to go) ook naar de stad. 7. Zij praten met de bakker. 8. De bakker bakt (bakte – gebakken) heerlijk (delicious) brood. 9. Het regent vaak (often) in Nederland. 10. De studenten luisteren naar (to) de leraar (teacher). 11. Zij kennen de goede antwoorden. 12. Ik hoor een man in het huis. 13. Mijn zuster leert elke dag veel nieuwe woorden. 14. Wij oefenen in de garage. 15. De groente van de markt smaakt heerlijk. 16. Lenen jullie altijd geld bij de bank? 17. De baby speelt in de kinderkamer. 18. Vader parkeert zijn auto voor de voordeur. 19. Kook jij de groente altijd zo lang? 20. De vrouwen winkelen in de stad. 21. Het vuur brandt al(already) een uur. 22. Ik zeil graag(with pleasure) op het IJsselmeer. 23. Waarom (why) beantwoord je mijn vraag niet? 24. Zij halen (to fetch) de fiets uit (from) de schuur (shed). 25. Wim plaagt de hond.
1 Meneer Van Dam werkt in Amsterdam. Meneer Van Dam werkte in Amsterdam. Meneer Van Dam heeft in Amsterdam gewerkt.
2 Hij heeft een mooi huis. Hij had een mooi huis. Hij heeft een mooi huis gehad.
3 Hij woont niet in de stad. Hij woonde niet in de stad. Hij heeft niet in de stad gewoond.
4 Is zijn vrouw ziek? Was  zijn vrouw ziek? Is zijn vrouw ziek geweest?
5 Mevrouw Van Dam fietst elke dag naar de stad. Mevrouw Van Dam fietste elke dag naar de stad. Mevrouw Van Dam is elke dag naar de stad gefietst.
6 Haar dochter gaat ook naar de stad. Haar dochter ging ook naar de stad. Haar dochter is ook naar de stad gegaan.
7 Zij praten met de bakker. Zij praatten met de bakker. Zij hebben met de bakker gepraat.
8 De bakker bakt heerlijk brood. De bakker bakte heerlijk brood. De bakker heeft heerlijk brood gebakken.
9 Het regent vaak in Nederland. Het regende vaak in Nederland. Het heeft vaak in Nederland geregend.
10 De studenten luisteren naar de leraar. De studenten luisterden naar de leraar. De studenten hebben naar de leraar geluisterd.
11 Zij kennen de goede antwoorden. Zij kenden de goede antwoorden. Zij hebben de goede antwoorden gekend.
12 Ik hoor een man in het huis. Ik hoorde een man in het huis. Ik heb een man in het huis gehoord.
13 Mijn zuster leert elke dag veel nieuwe woorden. Mijn zuster leerde elke dag veel nieuwe woorden. Mijn zuster heeft elke dag veel nieuwe woorden geleerd.
14 Wij oefenen in de garage. Wij oefenden in de garage. Wij hebben in de garage geoefend.
15 De groente van de markt smaakt heerlijk. De groente van de markt smaakte heerlijk. De groente van de markt heeft heerlijk gesmaakt.
16 Lenen jullie altijd geld bij de bank? Leenden jullie altijd geld bij de bank? Hebben jullie altijd geld bij de bank geleend?
17 De baby speelt in de kinderkamer. De baby speelde in de kinderkamer. De baby heeft in de kinderkamer gespeeld.
18 Vader parkeert zijn auto voor de voordeur. Vader parkeerde zijn auto voor de voordeur. Vader heeft zijn auto voor de voordeur geparkeerd.
19 Kook jij de groente altijd zo lang? Kookte jij de groente altijd zo lang? Heb jij de groente altijd zo lang gekookt?
20 De vrouwen winkelen in de stad. De vrouwen winkelden in de stad. De vrouwen hebben in de stad gewinkeld.
21 Het vuur brandt al een uur. Het vuur brandde al een uur. Het vuur heeft al een uur gebrand.
22 Ik zeil graag op het IJsselmeer. Ik zeilde graag op het IJsselmeer Ik heb graag op het IJsselmeer gezeild.
23 Waarom beantwoord je mijn vraag niet? Waarom beantwoordde je mijn vraag niet? Waarom heb je mijn vraag niet beantwoord?
24 Zij halen de fiets uit de schuur. Zij haalden de fiets uit de schuur. Zij hebben de fiets uit de schuur gehaald.
25 Wim plaagt de hond. Wim plaagde de hond. Wim heeft de hond geplaagd.

Inversion of subject and verb

The basic order of a Dutch sentence is: 2. verb 3. other elements of the sentence. If an adverb or other elements for some reason precedes the subject, the order of subject – verb is inverted. 1. 2. Mevrouw Van Dam heeft drie kinderen. 2. 1. Nu(now) heeft mevrouw Van Dam drie kinderen.   Exercise 36. Rewrite the following sentences, adding first `vandaag’ (today) and then `gisteren’ (yesterday – Present Perfect Tense) to the beginning: 1. Hij woont in Leiden. 2. Wij hebben drie kinderen. 3. Het kind speelt in de tuin (yard). 4. Henk luistert naar(to) de radio. 5. Hannie oefent op(on) de piano. 6. Vader werkt in de tuin. 7. Jullie fietsen naar Amsterdam. 25 9. Zij parkeren de auto in de garage. 10.Moeder kookt het eten (the food).
1 Hij woont in Leiden. Vandaag woont hij in Leiden. Gisteren heeft hij in Leiden gewoond.
2 Wij hebben drie kinderen. Vandaag hebben wij drie kinderen. Gisteren hebben wij drie kinderen gehad.
3 Het kind speelt in de tuin. Vandaag speelt het kind in de tuin. Gisteren heeft het kind in de tuin gespeeld.
4 Henk luistert naar de radio. Vandaag luistert Henk naar de radio. Gisteren heeft Henk naar de radio geluisterd.
5 Hannie oefent op de piano. Vandaag oefent Hannie op de piano. Gisteren heeft Hannie op de piano geoefend.
6 Vader werkt in de tuin. Vandaag werkt vader in de tuin. Gisteren heeft vader in de tuin gewerkt.
7 Jullie fietsen naar Amsterdam. Vandaag fietsen jullie naar Amsterdam. Gisteren zijn jullie naar Amsterdam gefietst.
8 ?? ?? ??
9 Zij parkeren de auto in de garage. Vandaag parkeren zij de auto in de garage. Gisteren hebben zij de auto in de garage geparkeerd.
10 Moeder kookt het eten. Vandaag kookt moeder het eten. Gisteren heeft moeder het eten gekookt.
Not Niet: `Niet’ normally follows the verb: Wij gaan naar huis. Wij gaan niet naar huis. As a rule `niet’ precedes the adverb it negates: Hij eet veel (he eats much) – Hij eet niet veel (he doesn’t eat much) `Niet’ usually follows the object: Ik zie (see) hem – Ik zie hem niet. The positive form of `niet’ is `wel’. Example: Henk werkt niet. Wim werkt wel. (Henk does not work. Wim does.) Henk houdt niet van fietsen. Wim houdt wel van fietsen. (Wim wel.)   Exercise 37. Give the correct form of the verb, then rewrite the sentences in a. the Past and b. the Present Perfect Tense. 1. Vandaag (koken) hij aardappelen en groente. 2. Jij (luisteren) niet goed naar mij. 3. Wim (oefenen) vijf keer per week. 4. De atleten (wonen) in het olympisch dorp(village). 5. Zij (praten) met hun trainers. 6. Ik (horen) niet veel. 7. (Branden) het vuur goed? 8. De kinderen (spelen) op straat. 9. Het (regenen) de hele dag. 10. In de zomer (zeilen) wij veel.
No. Present tense Past tense Present Perfect tense
1 Vandaag kookt hij aardappelen en groente. Vandaag kookte hij aardappelen en groente. Vandaag heeft hij aardappelen en groente gekookt.
2 Jij luistert niet goed naar mij. Jij luisterde niet goed naar mij. Jij hebt niet goed naar mij geluisterd.
3 Wim oefent vijf keer per week. Wim oefende vijf keer per week. Wim heeft vijf keer per week geoefend.
4 De atleten wonen in het olympisch dorp. De atleten woonden in het olympisch dorp. De atleten hebben in het olympisch dorp gewoond.
5 Zij praten met hun trainers. Zij praatten met hun trainers. Zij hebben met hun trainers gepraat.
6 Ik hoor niet veel. Ik hoorde niet veel. Ik heb niet veel gehoord.
7 Brandt het vuur goed? Brandde het vuur goed? Heeft het vuur goed gebrand?
8 De kinderen spelen op straat. De kinderen speelden op straat. De kinderen hebben op straat gespeeld.
9 Het regent de hele dag. Het regende de hele dag. Het heeft de hele dag geregend.
10 In de zomer zeilen wij veel. In de zomer zeilden wij veel. In de zomer hebben wij veel gezeild.
 New words 3   
de winkel the store 
het kantoor the office
de stad the city
het eten the food, meal
de aardappel the potato
de school the school
de groente the vegetables
de muziek the music
de piano the piano
het uur the hour
het huiswerk the homework
de kilometer the kilometer
   
tekenen to draw
fietsen to bike
houden van to like
doen to do
spelen to play
koken to cook, boil
winkelen to go shopping
oefenen to exercise, train, practice
buitenshuis outside the house
gisteren yesterday
vanmorgen this morning
middag afternoon
avond evening
nacht night (tonight)
verleden week last week
jaar year
maand month
elk(e) each
ook also
bij at
met with
heerlijk delicious
eerst first
verder further
zoveel so much, many 
toen then (past tense)
duizend(en) thousand(s)
waar where
vandaag today
maandag Monday
dinsdag Tuesday
woensdag Wednesday
donderdag Thursday
vrijdag Friday
zaterdag Saturday
zondag Sunday
Duitsland Germany
Frankrijk France
Spanje Spain
Zwitserland Switzerland
Oostenrijk Austria
Rusland Russia
Belgie Belgium
Saturday at the van Dam’s   ZATERDAG BIJ DE VAN DAMS
Meneer Van Dam werkt in een kantoor. Zijn kantoor is in de stad. Vandaag werkt hij niet: het is zaterdag. Gisteren heeft hij wel gewerkt. Mevrouw Van Dam werkt niet buitenshuis. Ze is vanmorgen naar de winkel geweest. De kinderen zijn vandaag niet naar school geweest. Hannie is met haar moeder naar de winkel geweest. Zij heeft ook getekend. Zij houdt van tekenen. Zij heeft vanmorgen een mooi huis getekend. Wim houdt van fietsen. Hij heeft verleden jaar duizenden kilometers gefietst. Eerst is hij naar Belgie en Duitsland gefietst. Toen is hij naar Frankrijk en Zwitserland gefietst. Henk houdt niet van fietsen. Hij houdt van muziek. Hij speelt piano. Hij oefent elke dag. Hij heeft vanmorgen twee en een half uur geoefend. Moeder houdt niet zo veel van huiswerk. Zij houdt van koken. Zij kookt heerlijk. Gisteren heeft zij groente en aard- appelen gekookt. Het smaakte heerlijk.
Exercise 38. Vertaal de bovenstaande zinnen.
1 Meneer van Dam werkt in een kantoor. Mr. van Dam works in an office.
2 Zijn kantoor is in de stad. His office is in the city.
3 Nee, hij heeft vandaag niet gewerkt. No, he didn’t work today.
4 Ja, hij heeft gisteren gewerkt. Yes, he worked yesterday.
5 Vandaag is Mevrouw van Dam naar de winkel geweest. Today Mrs. van Dam was at the shop.
6 Ja, zij heeft gewinkeld. Yes, she went shopping.
7 Ja, Hannie heeft ook gewinkeld. Yes, Hannie also went shopping.
8 Nee, Wim heeft niet gewinkeld. No, Wim did not go shopping.
9 Verleden jaar heeft Wim duizenden kilometers gefietst. Last year Wim cycled thousands of kilometres.
10 Vanmorgen heeft Henk op de piano geoefend. Henk practiced the piano this morning.
Exercise 39. Beantwoord de vragen: 1. Waar werkt meneer Van Dam? 2. Waar is zijn kantoor? 3. Heeft meneer Van Dam vandaag gewerkt? 4. Heeft hij gisteren gewerkt? 5. Wat heeft mevrouw Van Dam vanmorgen gedaan? 6. Heeft ze gewinkeld? 7. Heeft Hannie ook gewinkeld? 8. Heeft Wim ook gewinkeld? 9. Wat heeft Wim verleden jaar gedaan? 10. Wat heeft Henk vanmorgen gedaan? 1. Werk jij in een kantoor? 2. Heb je vanmorgen gestudeerd? 3. Heb je gisteren gewerkt? 4. Houd je van fietsen? 5. Houd je van muziek? 6. Houd je van winkelen? 7. Heb je gisteravond gewinkeld? 8. Heb je zaterdag gewinkeld? 9. Houd je van koken? 10. Heb je gisteren gekookt? Mr. van Dam works in an office. His office is in the city. He is not working today: it is Saturday. Yesterday he worked. Mrs. van Dam doesn’t work outside the house. She was at the shop this morning. The children were not at school today. Hannie was at the shop with her mother. She also drew. She likes to draw. She drew a pretty house this morning. Wim likes cycling. He cycled thousands of kilometers last year. First he cycled to Belgium and Germany. Then he cycled to France and Switzerland. Henk doesn’t like cycling. He likes music. He plays piano. He practices every day. He practiced for two and a half hours this morning. Mother doesn’t like housework so much. She likes to cook. She cooks deliciously. Yesterday she cooked vegetables and potatoes. It tasted delicious. Exercise 40. Change the following sentences into a. the Past Tense, b. the Present Perfect Tense, and then translate a. into English. 1. Wij wonen in Michigan. 2. Mijn ouders (parents) hebben een mooi huis in de stad. 3. Haar broer woont ook in Michigan. 4. Hij heeft een vrouw. 5. Hij en zijn vrouw hebben drie kinderen. 6. Ik werk altijd (always) in de tuin (garden). 7. Ik ben student. 8. Mijn vriend en ik studeren in de bibliotheek (library). 9. Wij fietsen naar school. 10. Wij zijn goede vrienden. 11. Wim speelt piano. 12. Zijn zuster heet Hannie. (heten – heette – geheten: to be called) 13. Zij praat met (with) Wim. 14. Hun vader en moeder praten ook. 15. Moeder kookt het eten (food). 16. Het eten smaakt lekker. 17. Henk plaagt zijn broer. (plagen – to tease) 18. Zij lenen onze auto. 19. Vader parkeert zijn auto in de garage. (parkeren – to park) 20. Zij poetsen hun schoenen (shoes). (poetsen – to brush) 21. Moeder en haar dochter winkelen (to shop) in de stad (city). 22. Hoeveel kosten (kostte – gekost: to cost) de boeken? 23. Wij zijn niet rijk (rich). 24. Heb jij ook geen geld (money)? 25. Hun ouders hebben wel veel geld.
Past tense Present Perfect tense English of past tense
1 Wij woonden in Michigan. Wij hebben in Michigan gewoond. We lived in Michigan.
2 Mijn ouders hadden een mooi huis in de stad. Mijn ouders hebben een mooi huis in de stad gehad. My parents had a lovely house in town.
3 Haar broer woonde ook in Michigan. Haar broer heeft ook in Michigan gewoond. Her brother also lived in Michigan.
4 Hij had een vrouw. Hij heeft een vrouw gehad. He had a wife.
5 Hij en zijn vrouw hadden drie kinderen. Hij en zijn vrouw hebben drie kinderen gehad. He and his wife had three children.
6 Ik werkte altijd in de tuin. Ik heb altijd in de tuin gewerkt. I always worked in the garden.
7 Ik was student. Ik ben student geweest. I was a student.
8 Mijn vriend en ik studeerden in de bibliotheek. Mijn vriend en ik hebben in de bibliotheek gestudeerd. My friend and I studied in the library.
9 Wij fietsten naar school. Wij zijn naar school gefietst. We cycled to school.
10 Wij waren goede vrienden. Wij zijn goede vrienden geweest. We were good friends.
11 Wim speelde piano. Wim heeft piano gespeeld. Wim played the piano.
12 Zijn zuster heette Hannie. Zijn zuster heeft Hannie geheten. His sister was called Hannie.
13 Zij praatte met Wim. Zij heeft met Wim gepraat. She talked with Wim.
14 Hun vader en moeder praatten ook. Hun vader en moeder hebben ook gepraat. Their father and mother also talked.
15 Moeder kookte het eten. Moeder heeft het eten gekookt. Mother cooked the food.
16 Het eten smaakte lekker. Het eten heeft lekker gesmaakt. The food tasted nice.
17 Henk plaagde zijn broer. Henk heeft zijn broer geplaagd. Henk teased his brother.
18 Zij leenden onze auto. Zij hebben onze auto geleend. They borrowed our car.
19 Vader parkeerde zijn auto in de garage. Vader heeft zijn auto in de garage geparkeerd. Father parked his car in the garage.
20 Zij poetsten hun schoenen Zij hebben hun schoenen gepoetst. They brushed their shoes.
21 Moeder en haar dochter winkelden in de stad. Moeder en haar dochter hebben in de stad gewinkeld. Mother and her daughter shopped in the city.
22 Hoeveel kostten de boeken? Hoeveel hebben de boeken gekost? How much did the books cost?
23 Wij waren niet rijk. Wij zijn niet rijk geweest. We were not rich.
24 Had jij ook geen geld? Heb jij ook geen geld gehad? Didn’t you also have any money?
25 Hun ouders hadden wel veel geld. Hun ouders hebben wel veel geld gehad. Their parents had a lot of money.
4.1 More weak verbs More weak verbs:
Infinitive Stem Past Indefinite Past Participle
praten (to talk) praat praatte(n) gepraat
studeren (to study) studeer studeerde(n) gestudeerd
leren (to learn, teach) leer leerde(n) geleerd
kleden (to dress) kleed kleedde(n) gekleed
heten (to be called) heet heette(n) geheten
leggen (to lay, put) leg legde(n) gelegd
bakken (to bake, fry) bak bakte(n) gebakken
       
betalen (to pay) betaal betaalde(n) betaald
beantwoorden (to answer) beantwoord beantwoordde(n) beantwoord
betekenen (to mean) beteken betekende(n) betekend
       
vertellen (to tell) vertel vertelde(n) verteld
verkleden (to change) verkleed verkleedde(n) verkleed
verbranden (to burn) verbrand verbrandde(n) verbrand
Some common strong verbs Some common strong verbs: Note: The term `strong verb’ signifies that the vowel in the stem of the verb changes when the tense changes.
Infinitive Stem Past Indefinite Past Participle
doen (to do) doe deed (deden) gedaan
lopen (to walk) loop liep(en) gelopen
zeggen (to say) zeg zei(den) gezegd
zien (to see) zie zag(en) gezien
liggen (to lie) lig lag(en) gelegen
zitten (to sit) zit zat(en) gezeten
staan (to stand) sta stond(en) gestaan
gaan (to go) ga ging(en) gegaan
slaan (to hit) sla sloeg(en) geslagen
rijden (to ride, drive) rijd reed (reden) gereden
vragen (to ask) vraag vroeg(en) gevraagd
geven (to give) geef gaf (gaven) gegeven
kopen (to buy) koop kocht(en) gekocht
komen (to come) kom kwam(en) gekomen
weten (to know) weet wist(en) geweten
       
schrijven (to write) schrijf schreef (schreven) geschreven
blijven (to remain) blijf bleef (bleven) gebleven
krijgen (to get, receive) krijg kreeg (kregen) gekregen
       
lezen (to read) lees las (lazen) gelezen
       
onthouden (to remember) onthoud onthield(en) onthouden
ontdekken (to discover) ontdek ontdekte(n) ontdekt
ontvangen (to receive) ontvang ontving(en) ontvangen
Note: The `v’ becomes an `f’ at the end of a word. The `z’ becomes an `s’ at the end of a word. If an infinitive begins with a prefix, eg. be-, ver, ont-, the Past Participle does not take ge. Exercise 41. a. Give the correct form of the verb. b. Translate a. into English. c. Rewrite a. in the Past Tense. d. Rewrite a. in the Present Perfect Tense. 1. Moeder (lopen) naar de winkel. 2. Zij (doen) boodschappen. 3. Zij (kopen) brood. 4. De bakker en moeder (zeggen) `Goede Morgen’. 5. Moeder (gaan) naar huis. 6. Vader (blijven) thuis vandaag. 7. Hij (lezen) een goed boek. 8. Henk en Wim (komen) thuis. 9. Zij (zijn) moe. 10. Henk (hebben) ook een beetje hoofdpijn. 11. De stoel (staan) achter de tafel. 12. Ik (zien) hem niet zo goed. 13. Waar (liggen) je boek? 14. Hannie (zitten) aan de tafel. 15. Waarom (slaan) jij je zusje? 16. Vader (rijden) met de auto naar zijn werk. 17. Wim (vragen) hem waar hij (werken). 18. Vader (geven) hem een duidelijk antwoord. 19. Wim (weten) niet waar zijn vaders kantoor (zijn). 20. Krijgen) hij een goed salaris?. 21. Hannie (schrijven) elke week een lange brief. 22. Haar vriendin (lezen) de brief twee keer. 23. Zij (onthouden) elke woord in de brief. 24. Hij (ontdekken) een onbekend (unknown) eiland (island). 25. Henk (ontvangen) een mooie prijs (prize) voor zijn werk. Adjectives: Some common adjectives, with their opposites, are:
mooi (nice)  lelijk (ugly)
groot (big)  klein (small)
hoog (high)  laag (low)
snel (fast)  langzaam (slow)
goed (good)  slecht (bad)
duur (expensive)  goedkoop (cheap, inexpensive)
open (open)  dicht (closed)
breed (wide)  smal (narrow)
moeilijk (difficult) (ge)makkelijk (easy)
lang (long)  kort (short)
licht (light) donker (dark), zwaar (heavy)
dun(thin)  dik (thick)
   
mogelijk (possible)  onmogelijk (impossible)
interessant (interesting)  oninteressant (uninteresting)
belangrijk (important)  onbelangrijk (unimportant)
vriendelijk (friendly)  onvriendelijk (unfriendly
Inflection of adjectives: Adjectives are inflected after definite articles(de/het): de grote man, de mooie fiets, de dure piano. het grote huis, het vriendelijke meisje. Adjectives are also inflected after the indefinite article een if the noun is a de-word, as in: een grote man, een mooie fiets, een dure piano. Adjectives are not inflected after een if the noun is a het- word, eg.: een groot huis, een vriendelijk meisje. Exercise 42. Give the correct form of the adjective, first beginning with the given definite article, then with `een’. groot – de man duur – de pen mooi – het kind goedkoop – het potlood moeilijk – het boek interessant – de stad vriendelijk – de vrouw goed – het meisje snel – de fiets breed – het land Numerals Telwoorden: 21. een en twintig 30. dertig 42. twee en veertig 86. zes en tachtig 100. honderd 579. vijfhonderd negen en zeventig 1000. duizend 1000 000 miljoen 6000 000,000 zesmiljard Geld(money): New words 4    Nieuwe woorden:
boodschappen (doen) (to run) errands, shopping, message
meestal usually
(het) druk (hebben) (to be) busy
wit white
bruin brown
volkoren full (whole) wheat
weinig little, few
nog still, yet
volgend(e) following, next
tegen to, against
daar there
erg very
vers fresh
lekker good, tasty, nice
de slager the butcher
het varkensvlees pork
de worst sausage
de biefstuk steak
het briefje, biljet the bank note, bill
de kilo kilo(gram)
het pond pound
de groet the greeting
de week the week
(goeden)dag! good day, hi, goodbye
hoe gaat het? how are you?
het gaat wel not bad, reasonable
goed well, good
slecht bad, poor(ly)
terug back
thuis at home
tot till, until
alstublieft please, here you are
‘s maandags (on) Mondays
groeten to greet
begrijpen to understand, comprehend
Shopping      BOODSCHAPPEN DOEN
‘s Maandags doet Moeder boodschappen. Ze gaat meestal op de fiets. Gisteren heeft ze ook boodschappen gedaan. Gisteren was het maandag. Eerst ging ze naar de bakker. Ze groette de bakker vriendelijk: `Goedemorgen’, zei ze tegen hem. De bakker beantwoordde haar groet: `Dag, mevrouw Van Dam’, zei hij. `Hoe gaat het vandaag?’. `Het gaat wel’, zei mevrouw Van Dam. `Ik heb het erg druk. Hebt u lekker brood vandaag?’ `Vanmorgen gebakken’, antwoordde de bakker. `Heerlijk vers.’ `Geeft u mij maar een wit brood en een bruin brood’, zei Moeder. Ik heb nog een half volkoren brood thuis’. 75′ zei de bakker. Moeder gaf de bakker f.5 en de bakker gaf haar een gulden en een kwartje terug. Nu ging Moeder naar de slager. Daar kocht ze vlees. Ze kocht twee en een half pond varkensvlees, drie en een half pond worst en een kilo biefstuk. 52 48′, zei de slager. `Alstublieft’, zei Moeder. `En bedankt. Tot volgende week’. Ze gaf de slager zes briefjes van tien en ze kreeg drie rijksdaalders en twee centen terug. `Dag Mevrouw’, zei de slager. `De groeten thuis.’
Exercise 44. Translate the text above into English. Exercise 45. Beantwoord de volgende vragen:
  1. Wanneer doet Moeder boodschappen?
  2. Hoe gaat ze naar de winkel?
  3. Gaat ze altijd op de fiets?
  4. Wat was het gisteren?
  5. Wat zei ze tegen de bakker?
  6. Wat vroeg ze aan de bakker?
  7. Wanneer heeft de bakker brood gebakken?
  8. Wat heeft Moeder gekocht?
  9. Hoeveel gaf ze de bakker?
  10. Hoeveel kreeg ze terug?
  11. Hoeveel worst heeft Moeder gekocht?
  12. Hoeveel gaf ze de slager?
  13. Wat kreeg ze terug?
  14. Hoe groette de slager Moeder?
  15. Ging Moeder toen naar huis?
  1. Wanneer doe jij je boodschappen?
  2. Waar doe je je boodschappen?
  3. Eet je wit, bruin of volkoren brood?
  4. Eet je veel vlees?
  5. Hoeveel kost het varkensvlees?
Exercise 46. Give a. the correct form of the verb and then b. rewrite the sentences in the past tense.
  1. (Hebben) jullie een mooi huis?
  2. Ja, ons huis (zijn) heel mooi.
  3. Hoeveel kamers (hebben) jullie huis?
  4. In ons huis (zijn) vijf kamers.
  5. Ik (luisteren) gisteren de hele dag naar de radio.
  6. (Luisteren) jij elke dag naar de radio?
  7. Vader (werken) elke dag in de tuin.
  8. De kinderen (spelen) de hele dag buiten.
  9. Ik (lenen) nooit geld bij de bank.
  10. Hoe (smaken) Duits (German) brood?
  11. Soms (koken) Vader het eten.
  12. Waarom (plagen) jij je kleine zusje?
  13. Zij (she) (zijn) nog nooit (never yet) in New York.
  14. Vader (hebben) geen grote auto.
  15. Het vliegtuig (gaan) naar Chicago.
  16. Hannie (winkelen) de hele dag.
  17. Wij (leren) niet veel nieuws vandaag.
  18. Ik (leren) inderdaad (indeed) ook niet zo veel.
  19. Henk (leggen) zijn boeken op de tafel.
  20. Wie (betalen) vanmorgen voor de koffie?
  21. Wim (betalen) voor de koffie.
  22. Hij (vragen) de rekening (bill).
  23. (Studeren) jij vandaag al veel?
  24. Mijn vriend (verbranden) zijn hand.
  25. Vader (kopen) een mooie nieuwe auto.
  26. In het weekend (schrijven) ik veel brieven.
  27. Dan (lezen) ik de brieven.
  28. Dan (geven) ik de brieven aan mijn moeder.
  29. Ik (rijden) vaak (often) op mijn fiets.
  30. Hoelaat (what time) (komen) je vader thuis?
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French Greetings and Basic Phrases

French Language Courses

Greetings

Bienvenue! Welcome!Bonjour! Hello!Salut! Hi!Je m’appelle Pierre. My name is Pierre. appeler to call J’appelle… I call… Je m’appelle… I call myself… Je m’appelle… My name is… Je m’appelle Pierre. My name is Pierre. Enchanté! Nice to meet you! Comment allez-vous? How are you? aller to goJe vais bien. I am doing (going) well.Vous allez bien. You are doing well.Comment allez-vous? How are you? Je vais bien. Merci. I am doing well.Thank you. Et vous? And you? Je vais très bien. I am doing very well. Très bien. Merci. Very well. Thank you. A bientôt! See you soon! Au revoir! Goodbye! Adieu! Goodbye!

Basic French Lessons – Casual Greetings

Lesson Transcript
FORMALBonjour! Hello!Comment allez-vous? How are you?Je vais bien. Et vous? I am doing well. And you? Ca va bien. Merci. I am doing well. Thank you. Comment vous appelez-vous? What is your name? Je m’appelle Jean. My name is Jean. Au revoir! Goodbye! A bientôt! See you soon! CASUALSalut! Hi!Comment vas-tu? How are you?Très bien! Et toi? Very well! And you? Ca va. I am doing well. I’m alright. Comment t’appelles-tu? What’s your name? Je m’appelle Jean. My name is Jean. Salut! Bye! A plus! See you!
FRENCH LESSON – BASIC FRENCH WORDS / PHRASES Useful everyday words and phrases in French
Yes Oui. (WEE)
No Non. (NOHNG)
Please S’il vous plaît. (seell voo PLEH)
Thank you Merci. (mehr-SEE)
You’re welcome De rien. (duh RYANG)
Excuse me (getting attention) S’il vous plaît (seell voo PLEH)
Excuse me (you’re in my way) Pardon. (pahr-DOHNG)
Excuse me (begging pardon) Excusez-moi. (ehks-kuu-zay MWAH)
I’m sorry Désolé(e). (day-zoh-LAY)
I don’t understand Je ne comprends pas. (ZHUH nuh kohm-PRAHNG pah)
I can’t speak French [well]. Je ne parle pas [bien] français. (zhuh nuh PAHRL pah [byahng] frahng-SEH)
Do you speak English?  Parlez-vous anglais? (PAHR-lay VOOZ ahng-LEH?)
Is there someone here who speaks English?  Est-ce qu’il y a quelqu’un ici qui parle anglais? (ess keel-ee-AH kel-KUHNG ee-SEE kee PAHRL ahng-LEH?)
Where’s the toilet? Où sont les toilettes ? (OOH sohng lay twa-LEHT?)
Help! Au secours ! (os-KOOR!)
Look out! Attention! (ah-TAHNG-see-ohng)
Saying Hello in French / Introducing Yourself / Saying Goodbye in French
Hello (informal / to friends) Salut. (sah-LUU)
Good morning Bonjour. (bohng-ZHOOR)
Good evening Bonsoir. (bohng SWAHR)
How are you? Comment allez-vous? (kuh-mahng tah-lay VOO?)
Fine thank you. Bien, merci. (byahng, mehr-SEE)
What is your name? Comment vous appelez-vous? (kuh-MAWNG vooz ah-puhll-ay VOO?)
My name is… Je m’appelle ….. (zhuh mah-PEHLL……)
Nice to meet you Enchanté(e). (ahng-chahng-TAY)  (takes the extra ‘e’ at the end if you are female)
Goodbye Au revoir. (oh RVWAHR)
Goodbye (informal / to friends) Salut. (sah-LUU)  (yes, the same word as hello!)
Good night (to sleep) Bonne nuit. (buhn NWEE)
DAYS OF THE WEEK
Monday
lundi (luhn-DEE)
Tuesday
mardi (mahr-DEE)
Wednesday
mercredi (mehr-kruh-DEE)
Thursday
jeudi (juh-DEE)
Friday
vendredi (vahn-druh-DEE)
Saturday
samedi (sahm-DEE)
Sunday
dimanche (dee-MAHNSH)
today
aujourd’hui (aw-zhoor-DWEE)
yesterday
hier (YEHR)
tomorrow
demain (duh-MANG)
this week
cette semaine (set SMEN)
last week
la semaine dernière (lah SMEN dehr-NYEHR)
next week
la semaine prochaine (lah SMEN proh-SHEN)
Learn to speak French MONTHS OF THE YEAR
January
janvier (zhahng-VYAY)
February
février (fay-VRYAY)
March
mars (mahrs)
April
avril (ah-VREEL)
May
mai (meh)
June
juin (zhwang)
July
juillet (zhwee-YAY)
August
août (oot)
September
septembre (set-TAHMBR)
October
octobre (ock-TOHBR)
November
novembre (noh-VAHMBR)
December
décembre (day-SAHMBR)
FRENCH LESSON – THE WEATHER IN FRENCH
What’s the weather like? Quel temps fait-il?
It’s cold (It’s very cold) Il fait froid (Il fait très froid)
It’s hot (It’s very hot) Il fait chaud (Il fait très chaud)
It’s cool Il fait frais
It’s sunny Il fait du soleil
It’s cloudy Il fait des nuages
It’s windy Il fait du vent
It’s foggy Il fait du brouillard
It’s stormy Il fait des orages
The temperature is 20 degrees La température est 20 degrés
AT THE RESTAURANT – USEFUL FRENCH PHRASES
A table for one person/two people, please. 
Une table pour une personne/deux personnes, je vous prie. (uun TAHBL poor uun/deu pehr-SOHN zhuh voo PREE)
Can I look at the menu, please? 
Puis-je avoir le menu? (PWEEZH ah-VWAHR luh muh-NUU?)
Is there a house speciality? 
Quelle est la spécialité de la maison ? (KELL eh lah spay-see-ah-lee-TAY duh lah meh-ZOHNG?)
Is there a local speciality? 
Y a-t-il une spécialité locale ? (yah-TEEL uun spay-see-ah-lee-TAY loh-KAHL?)
I’m a vegetarian. 
Je suis végétarien. (zhuh SWEE vay-zhay-tah-RYAHNG)
I don’t eat pork. 
Je ne mange pas de porc. (zhuh nuh mahnzh PAH duh POHR)
I only eat kosher food. 
Je ne mange que de la viande cachère. (zhuh nuh MAHNZH kuh duh lah VYAHND kah-SHEHR)
breakfast 
petit-déjeuner (ptee-day-zheu-NAY)
lunch 
déjeuner (day-zheu-NAY)
dinner
dîner (dee-NAY)
supper 
souper (soo-PAY)
I want _____. 
Je voudrais _____. (zhuh voo-DREH _____)  
I want a dish containing _____. 
Je voudrais un plat avec _____. (zhuh voo-DREH ung plah ah-VEK _____)
beans des haricots (dez ah-ree-KOH)
beef du boeuf (duu BUFF)
bread  du pain (duu pang)
chicken du poulet (duu poo-LEH)
clams des palourdes (deh pah-LOORD)
cheese du fromage (duu froh-MAHZH)
cod de la morue (duh lah moh-RUU)
eggs  / one egg des oeufs (dehz UH) / un oeuf (un UF)
fish du poisson (duu pwa-SONG)
frogs des grenouilles (deh gruh-NOOEY)
(fresh) fruit des fruits (frais) (frwee (freh))
ham du jambon (duu zhahng-BONG)
lobster du homard (duu oh-MAR)
mussels des moules (deh MOOL)
noodles des pâtes (deh PAHT), des nouilles (deh NOOEY)
oysters des huîtres (dez WEETR)
pork du porc (duu POHR/)
rice du riz (duu REE)
salad une salade (uun sah-LAHD)
salmon du saumon (duu saw-MONG)
sausage des saucisses (deh saw-SEESS)
seafood des fruits de mer (deh frwee duh MEHR)
snails des escargots (dez es-car-GOH)
toast toast (said the same as English!)
tuna du thon (duu TONG)
(fresh) vegetables des légumes (frais) (deh lay-guum FREH)
whiting du merlan (duu mehr-LANG)
May I have a glass of _____? 
Puis-je avoir un verre de _____? (pweezh ah-VWAHR ung VEHR duh _____?)  
May I have a cup of _____? 
Puis-je avoir une tasse de _____? (pweezh ah-VWAHR uun TAHSS duh _____?)  
May I have a bottle of _____? 
Puis-je avoir une bouteille de _____? (pweezh ah-VWAHR uun boo-TEYY duh _____?)
beer bière (byehr)
coffee café (kah-FAY)
juice jus (zhuu)
red wine vin rouge (vang roozh)
sparkling water / still water eau gazeuse (oh gah-ZUHZ) / eau (oh)
tea thé (tay)
white wine vin blanc (vang blahng)
May I have some _____? 
Puis-je avoir du _____? (pweezh ah-VWAHR duu)
black pepper poivre
butter buerre
salt sel
sugar sucre
 
Excuse me, waiter? (getting attention of server
S’il vous plait ?
I’m finished. 
J’ai fini.
It was delicious. 
C’était délicieux.
Please clear the plates. 
Vous pouvez débarasser la table.
The check, please. 
L’addition, s’il vous plaît FRENCH LESSON – ASKING FOR DIRECTIONS
Where is the _____ ?
Où se trouve _____ ? (oo stroov _____)
the train station?  la gare ? (lah gahr?)
the bus station?  la gare routière ? (lah gahr roo-TYEHR?)
the airport? l’aéroport ? (lah-ay-roh-POR?
the town centre / downtown? le centre-ville ? (luh sahng-truh-VEEL?)
the suburbs?  la banlieue ? (lah bahng-LYEU?)
the youth hostel? l’auberge de jeunesse ? (law-BEHRZH duh zhuh-NESS)
the _____ hotel?  l’hôtel _____ ? (loh-TEL)
Where are there a lot of… 
Où y’a-t-il des… (oo yah-TEEL day)
hotels? hôtels? (z oh-TELL)
restaurants? restaurants? (res-taw-RAHNG)
bars? bars? (bahr)
sights to see?  sites à visiter ? (seets ah vee-zee-TAY)
Can you show me on the map? 
Pouvez-vous me montrer sur la carte ? (poo-vay-VOO muh mohn-TRAY suur lah KAHRT?)
street  rue (ruu)
left / turn left gauche (GAWSH)  / tournez à gauche. (toor-nay ah GAWSH)
right / turn right droite (DRWAHT)  / tournez à droite. (toor-nay ah DRWAHT)
straight ahead en face (ahng fahs)
towards the _____ vers le/la _____ (vehr luh/lah)
past the _____ après le/la _____ (ah-PREH luh/lah)
before the _____ avant le/la _____ (ah-VAHNG luh/lah)
watch for the _____ repérez le/la _____. (ruh-pay-RAY luh/lah)
intersection intersection (ang-tehr-seck-SYOHNG)
north nord (nohr)
south sud (suud)
east est (est)
west ouest (west)
uphill en haut (ahng OH)
downhill en bas (ahng BAH)
FRENCH LESSON – BOOKING A HOTEL ROOM IN FRENCH / STAYING AT THE HOTEL
Do you have any rooms available? 
Avez-vous des chambres libres ? (ah-vay-VOO dey shahmbr LEEBR?)
How much is a room for one person/two people? 
Combien coûte une chambre pour une personne/deux personnes ? (kohm-byahng KOOT uun shahmbr poor uun/duh pehr-SON?)
Is breakfast/supper included? 
Le petit-déjeuner/souper est-il inclus ? (luh ptee day-zhuh-NAY / soo-PAY eht-eel ang-KLUU?)
Does the room come with… 
Est-ce que dans la chambre il y a… (ESK dahng lah SHAHMBR eel yah …)  
a bathroom une salle de bain ? (uun sahl ah BANG?)
a telephone un téléphone ? (ung tay-lay-FOHN?)
a TV une télé ? (uun tay-LAY?)
May I see the room first? 
Puis-je visiter la chambre ? (pweezh vee-zee-TAY lah SHAHMBR?)
Can you suggest another hotel? 
Pouvez-vous me suggérer un autre hôtel? (poo-vay VOO muh suu-zhay-RAY ung ohtr oh-TEL?)
Do you have anything…..
Vous n’avez pas de chambre….(voo nah-vay PAH duh shahmbr..)
quieter? plus tranquille ? ( pluu trahng-KEEL?)
cheaper?  moins chère? (… mwang SHEHR?)
bigger?  plus grande ? (… pluu GRAHND?)
cleaner?  plus propre ? (… pluu PROHPR?)
OK, I’ll take it. 
OK, je la prends. (oh-KAY, zhuh lah PRAHNG)
I will stay for _____ night(s).   (see the section on numbers)
Je compte rester _____ nuit(s). (zhuh KOMT res-TAY _____ nwee)
Do you have a safe? 
Avez-vous un coffre-fort ? (ah-vay VOO ung kofr FOR?)
What time is breakfast/supper? 
À quelle heure est le petit-déjeuner/souper ? (ah kel UR eh luh ptee day-zhuh-NAY / soo-PAY?)
Please clean my room. 
Veuillez nettoyer ma chambre. (vuh-YAY net-wah-YAY ma SHAHMBR)
Can you wake me at _____? 
Pouvez-vous me réveiller à _____? (poo-vay VOO muh ray-vay-YAY ah _____)
I want to check out. 
Je veux vous signaler mon départ. (zhuh vuh voo see-nyah-LAY mong day-PAR)
FRENCH LESSON – SHOPPING IN FRANCE
How much is this? 
Combien ça coûte ?
expensive 
cher
cheap 
bon marché
That’s too expensive. 
C’est trop cher.
Would you take _____? 
Pourriez-vous accepter _____?
I can’t afford it. 
Je n’ai pas les moyens.
I don’t want it. 
Je ne le veux pas.
I’m not interested. 
Je ne suis pas intéressé.
OK, I’ll take it. 
OK, je vais le/la prendre.
Do you have this in my size? 
Avez-vous ceci dans ma taille ?
Can I have a bag? 
Je pourrais avoir un sac ?
Do you ship (overseas)? 
Livrez-vous (outre-mer/à l’étranger) ?
Useful phrases at a French pharmacy / chemists / drugstore:
I need…. J’ai besoin… 
toothpaste de dentifrice.
toothbrush d’une brosse à dents
tampons de tampons
soap de savon
shampoo de shampooing
pain reliever. (e.g., aspirin or ibuprofen d’un analgésique (aspirine, ibuprofen)
medicine for a cold d’un médicament pour le rhume
stomach medicine d’un remède pour l’estomac
a razor d’un rasoir.
sunblock cream d’écran solaire
Useful phrases at the post office / newsagents in France:
How much is it to send a letter to the United States / to England? C’est combien pour envoyer une lettre aux Etats-Unis / en Angleterre?
Airmail poste aérienne
Registered recommandé
A parcel un colis
I need…. J’ai besoin… 
a postcard d’une carte postale
stamps de timbres
writing paper de papier à lettres
a pen d’un stylo
English language books de livres en anglais
English language magazines de magazines en anglais
English language newspaper d’un journal en anglais
French-English dictionary d’un dictionnaire français-anglais
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French Classroom: The Basics

Les Articles

Articles

Les Articles Définis Definite Articles
In French, nouns (substantives m.) are either masculine (m.) or feminine (f.). Each gender has its own article.
le jour m. the day
la nuit  f. the night
Les is the plural article for both masculine and feminine nouns.
les hommes m. plural the men
les femmes f. plural the women
When the noun begins with a vowel or a silent ‘h’, the le or la simply becomes l’.
l’ombre m. the shade
l’abeille f. the bee
l’hôtel m. the hotel
Les Articles Indéfinis Indefinite Articles
un bâtiment  m. a building
une maison   f. a house
des choix  m. some choices
des filles  f. some girls/daughters
Le Genre Gender
Guessing the gender of people nouns is easy. If you’re referring to a male, it’s masculine, otherwise it’s feminine.
le gosse the kid (male)
la gosse the kid (female)
French Grammar Many people nouns have both masculine and femine forms.
le fermier farmer (male)
la fermière farmer (female)
le vendeur salesperson (male)
la vendeuse salesperson (female)
Some people nouns are always either masculine or feminine, regardless of whether it refers to a guy or a girl.
la vedette star
le savant wise person
le pilote pilot
le professeur teacher (high school or university)
Guessing the gender of inanimate nouns can be a bit tricky. Consonant ending nouns are usually masculine and e ending nouns are usually feminine but there are tons of exceptions. There are some rather complicated rules that can be used.

Les Pronoms Personnels Sujets

Subject Pronouns

Je suis le professeur. I am the teacher.
Tu es un élève. You are a student.
Il est Français. He is French.
Elle est Française. She is French.
Nous sommes des élèves. We are students.
Ils sont de France. They are from France.
Elles sont de Paris. They (women) are from Paris.
When je is followed by a word that begins with a vowel, it becomes simply j’.
J‘arrive ! I‘m coming!
Vous is the formal ‘you’ form. Using it shows respect and social distance. It should always be used when addressing strangers except for in certain environments like school where students normally use tu with each other. Permission should be asked before using tu, but you normally shouldn’t ask if someone is significantly older than you. It should always be employed when addressing people of authority like your teachers or the police.
Excusez-moi. Vous parlez francais ? Excuse me. Do you speak French?
Normally, the final consonant of a word ending in s isn’t pronounced. when followed by a vowel ending word or a word that begins with silent h, this final consonant is pronounced. This is called liaison.
les enfants the children
Je suis heureuse. I am happy (f.).
Vous is also used for plural you.
Vous êtes fous. You (all) are crazy.
Vous êtes des élèves. You (all) are students..
French Class

Les Conjugaisons

Conjugations

Notice that the verb form changes whenever the subject changes. These different verb forms are known as conjugations. They indicate the subject (I, you, he/she/it, we, you formal, and they) and tense (ie. present, past, or future). The conjugations of regular verbs (verbes réguliers m.) follow easy to predict patterns while irregular verbs (verbes irréguliers m.) don’t. Être, the verb on this page, is one of the irregulars. Two other important irregular verbs are aller (to go) and pouvoir (can).
être
je suis
tu es
il / elle est
nous sommes
vous êtes
ils / elles sont
aller
je vais
tu vas
il / elle va
nous allons
vous allez
ils / elles vont
pouvoir
je peux
tu peux
il / elle peut
nous pouvons
vous pouvez
ils / elles peuvent
Je peux ! I can!
The infinitive (l’infinitif) is displayed at the top of each verb’s conjugation table. Besides serving to identify a verb, it is employed whenever the tense or the person need not be indicated. This is the case when verbs are strung together. The first verb marks the tense and person.
Elle va être ici. She’s going to be here. Je peux aller. I can go.
  The infinitive is also used when a verb follows a preposition.
Il va aller là-bas. He’s going to go over there.
La Négation Negation
To negate something surround the verb with ne and pas.
Je ne peux pas. I can’t.
Ils ne vont pas. They’re not going.
Ne, like je, drops it’s vowel when it comes before a vowel. This is called élision.
Il n’est pas français. He isn’t french.
In casual speech, the ne is often dropped.
Je peux pas. I can’t

-Er Ending Verbs

parler
je parle
tu parles
il/elle parle
nous parlons
vous parlez
ils/elles parlent
écouter
j’ écoute
tu écoutes
il/elle écoute
nous écoutons
vous écoutez
ils/elles écoutent
For the following verbs , the e remains in the nous form .
changer ** to change
manger ** to eat
nager ** to swim
partager ** to share
Nous mangeons. We eat. Nous partageons. We share.
Verbs of this type
aimer ** to like to love
commencer ** to begin
donner ** to give
écouter ** to listen to
emprunter ** to borrow
étudier ** to study
fermer ** to close
goûter ** to taste
laver ** to wash
marcher ** to walk
rester ** to stay
sauter ** to jump
prêter ** to lend
parler ** to talk
travailler ** to work

-Ir Ending Verbs

choisir
je choisis
tu choisis
il/elle choisit
nous choisissons
vous choisissez
ils/elles choisissent
finir
je finis
tu finis
il/elle finit
nous finissons
vous finissez
ils/elles finissent
Verbs of this type
accomplir ** to accomplish
bâtir ** to build
choisir ** to choose
embellir ** to make beautiful
envahir ** to invade
finir ** to finish
grandir ** to grow up
obéir ** to obey
punir ** to punish
remplir ** to fill
réunir ** to reunite
réussir ** to succeed
saisir ** to seize

-Re Ending Verbs

entendre
j’ entends
tu entends
il/ elle entend
nous entendons
vous entendez
ils/elles entendent
vendre
je vends
tu vends
il/ elle vend
nous vendons
vous vendez
ils/elles vendent
Verbs of this type
attendre  to wait
défendre  to defend
descendre  to descend
entendre  to hear
étendre ** to stretch; to spread out
fendre **  to split
fondre **  to melt
pendre **  to hang
pondre **  to lay an egg
perdre **  to lose
rendre **  to render
répandre **  to spread
répondre **  to answer
tendre **  to tighten
vendre **  to sell

Almost Regular

These verbs are essentially regular with slight changes.
In the following verbs, the second to the last vowel becomes è for all conjugations except the nous and vous forms.
espérer
j’ espère
tu espères
il/ elle espère
nous espérons
vous espérez
ils/elles espèrent
Verbs of this type
céder ** to yield, to cede
célébrer ** to celebrate
compléter ** to complete
considérer ** to consider
espérer ** to hope
posséder ** to possess
préférer ** to prefer
protéger ** to protect
répéter ** to repeat
acheter
j’ achète
tu achètes
il/ elle achète
nous achetons
vous achetez
ils/elles achètent
Verbs of this type
acheter ** to buy
amener ** to bring, to lead toward
élever ** to raise
emmener ** to take, to lead away
enlever ** to lift
geler ** to freeze
lever ** to raise
mener ** to lead
peser ** to weigh
promener ** to take a walk

Here, the final consonant is doubled except for the nous and vous forms
appeler
j’ appelle
tu appelles
il/ elle appelle
nous appelons
vous appelez
ils/elles appellent
Verbs of this type
appeler ** to call
jeter ** to throw (away)
rejeter ** to reject
And here, the y is sometimes converted to i.
envoyer
j’ envoie
tu envoies
il/ elle envoie
nous envoyons
vous envoyez
ils/elles envoient
Essayer and payer have two forms of conjugations – each is pronounced differently. One uses an i and the other a y.
essayer
j’ essaie
tu essaies
il/ elle essaie
nous essayons
vous essayez
ils/elles essaient
essayer
j’ essaye
tu essayes
il/ elle essaye
nous essayons
vous essayez
ils/elles essayent
Verbs of this type
employer ** to use
ennuyer ** to bore
envoyer ** to send
essayer ** to try
essuyer ** to wipe
nettoyer ** to clean
payer ** to pay (for)
French Coaching
La Possession Possession
Masculine Feminine* Masculine & Feminine plural
mon pays
my country
ma ville
my city/town
mes amis
my friends
ton père
your father
ta mère
your mother
tes parents
our parents
son fils
his/her son
sa fille
his/her daughter
ses enfants m.
his/her children
notre pays
our country
notre ville
our village
nos voisins f.
our neighbors
votre pain
your (formal) bread
votre nourriture
your (formal) food
vos pommes f.
your (formal) apples
leur ami
their friend
leur maison
their house
leurs noms m.
their name
*Whenever a feminine noun begins with a vowel, the masculine forms are used- mon, ton, and son.
son argent f. his/her money son amitié f. his/her friendship

la sœur de Bruno Bruno’s sister (the sister of Bruno) la voiture de monsieur Jospin Mr. Jospin’s car (the car of Mr. Jospin) les clés de mon frère my brother’s keys (the key’s of my brother)
Spoken French
Les Adjectifs Adjectives
Usually adjectives come in masculine and feminine flavors and reflect the gender of the noun they modify. Normally masculine adjectives end in a consonant and feminine adjectives end in an e.
un homme fort a strong soldier une femme forte a strong woman
Adjectives are a diverse lot though. You’ll find many kinds of masculine and feminine forms including invariable adjectives.
un maillon faible a weak link une voix faible a weak voice
Here are some adjectives in masculine feminine pairs unless invariable.
chaud / chaude hot lourd / lourde heavy difficile difficult
froid / froide cold léger / légère light facile easy
plein / pleine full rapide fast propre clean
vide empty lent / lente slow sale dirty
épais / épaisse thick longue long haut / haute high
fin / fine thin court / courte short bas / basse low
dur / dure hard mouillé / mouillée wet
doux / douce soft sec / sèche dry
sûr / sûre sure/safe compliqué / compliquée complicated
dangereux / dangereuse dangerous simple simple
Subject pronouns can refer to objects as well as persons.
Il est doux. He/It is soft.
Elle est douce. She/It (feminine) is soft.
More commonly though, ce or another demonstrative is used with objects and things. Ce is only used with the verb être and becomes c’when the être verb form begins with an e. When an adjective describes ce, it is always masculine, even if a feminine object is being referred to.
C’est doux. It / That is soft.
C’est dangereux. It / That is dangerous.
Most color adjectives are invariable. There are only a few that aren’t.
blanc / blanche white noir / noire black gris / grise gray
vert / verte green
Les Pluriels Plurals
When an adjective modifies a plural noun, an s should be is added to the end however this s is never pronounced.
des vents froids m. cold winds
des mains froides f. cold hands
Whenever an adjective describes both a male and female noun, the masculine form is used.
Monsieur Martin et sa femme sont gentils. Mr Martin and his wife are nice.
Le Placement Placement
Normally adjectives follow the noun they modify, however this isn’t the case for all adjectives.
la grande ville the large city le petit général the small general
le bon curé the good priest une jolie femme a pretty woman
le mauvais Dr. Moreau the evil Dr. Moreau les hauts murs the high walls
le gros morceau de gâteau
the big/fat piece of cake
Sometimes the meaning of an adjective changes depending on it’s placement.
un ancien élève a former student ma propre cuisine my own kitchen
un village ancien an old village ma cuisine propre my clean kitchen
ma chère mère my dear mother le pauvre homme the unfortunate man
un légume cher an expensive vegetable l’homme pauvre the poor man (money-wise)
The following adjectives are all irregular. The archaic masculine form is now only used in front of masculine nouns that begin with a vowel or silent h.
Masculine un beau livre a beautiful book le nouveau conseil the new advise un vieux piège an old trap
Archaic Masculine le bel oiseau the beautiful bird un nouvel échec a new failure le bon vieux temps the good old days
Feminine la belle montagne the beautiful mountain la nouvelle année the new year une vieille plaie an old wound
French Lessons
 Object (l’objet m.)
L’artiste peint un chef d’œuvre.
Subject (le Sujet)
The artist is painting a masterpiece.
Les Pronoms d’object directs Direct Object Pronouns
The direct object pronouns are placed in front of the verb.
Il me comprend. He understands me.
Je te comprends. I understand you.
Tu le comprends. You understand him/it.
Nous la comprenons. We understand her/it.
Tu nous comprends. You understand us.
Je vous comprends. I understand you (formal)/you (plural).
Elles les comprennent. They (feminine) understand them.
When followed by a vowel or silent ‘h’, me, te, la and le experience elision.
Elle t‘aime. She loves you.
Il m‘envoie une lettre. He is sending me a letter.
Je l’ai. I have him/her/it.
Le Partitif Partitive

When you refer to a piece of something – not the entire thing – use the partitive article which is de placed in front of the article and noun.

Je veux le pain. I want the bread.
Je veux l’argent. I want the money
Don’t be so food greedy (gourmand) or money greedy (avide)!
Je veux du pain. I want some bread.
Tu veux m’emprunter de l’argent ? Would you like to lend me some money?

French Basic

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French Classroom:French Basics

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Subject Pronouns / Les pronoms sujets

je /ʒə/ I nous /nu/ We
tu /ty/ You (informal) vous /vu/ You (formal and plural)
il elle on /il/ /ɛl/ /ɔ̃/ He She One ils elles /il/ /ɛl/ They (masc.) They (fem.)
French Wikibook Il and elle can also mean it when they replace a noun (il replaces masculine nouns, and elle replaces feminine nouns) instead of a person’s name.  Ils and elles can replace plural nouns as well in the same way.  Notice there are two ways to say you.  Tu is used when speaking to children, animals, or close friends and relatives.  Vous is used when speaking to more than one person, or to someone you don’t know or who is older.  On can be translated into English as one, the people, they, you, in the indefinite sense, and it is often used instead of nous to mean we. Je is reduced to j’ before a word beginning with a vowel sound in both formal and informal language. Tu is reduced to t’ before a vowel sound in informal language only. Tutoyer and vouvoyer are two verbs that have no direct translation into English. Tutoyer means to use tu or be informal with someone, while vouvoyer means to use vous or be formal with someone.

French Verb Conjugations: To Be & To Have / Être & Avoir

Present tense of être /ɛtʀ/ – to be
I am je suis /ʒə sɥi/ We are nous sommes /nu sɔm/
You are tu es /ty ɛ/ You are vous êtes /vu zɛt/
He is She is One is il est elle est on est /il ɛ/ /ɛl ɛ/ /ɔ̃ nɛ/ They are They are ils sont elles sont /il sɔ̃/ /ɛl sɔ̃/
Past tense of être – to be
I was j’étais /ʒetɛ/ We were nous étions /nu zetjɔ̃/
You were tu étais /tu etɛ/ You were vous étiez /vu zetje/
He was She was One was il était elle était on était /il etɛ/ /ɛl etɛ/ /ɔ̃ netɛ/ They were They were ils étaient elles étaient /il zetɛ/ /ɛl zetɛ/

Je and any verb form that starts with a vowel (or silent h) combine together for ease of pronunciation.

Future Tense of être – to be
I will be je serai /ʒə səʀe/ We will be nous serons /nu səʀɔ̃/
You will be tu seras /ty səʀa/ You will be vous serez /vu səʀe/
He will be She will be One will be il sera elle sera on sera /il səʀa/ /ɛl səʀa/ /ɔ̃ səʀa/ They will be They will be ils seront elles seront /il səʀɔ̃/ /ɛl səʀɔ̃/
Present tense of avoir /avwaʀ/ – to have
I have j’ai /ʒe/ We have nous avons /nu zavɔ̃/
You have tu as /ty ɑ/ You have vous avez /vu zave/
He has She has One has il a elle a on a /il ɑ/ /ɛl ɑ/ /ɔ̃ nɑ/ They have They have ils ont elles ont /il zɔ̃/ /ɛl zɔ̃/
Past tense of avoir – to have
I had j’avais /ʒavɛ/ We had nous avions /nu zavjɔ̃/
You had tu avais /ty avɛ/ You had vous aviez /vu zavje/
He had She had One had il avait elle avait on avait /il avɛ/ /ɛl avɛ/ /ɔ̃ navɛ/ They had ils avaient elles avaient /il zavɛ/ /ɛl zavɛ/
Future tense of avoir – to have
I will have j’aurai /ʒoʀe/ We will have nous aurons /nu zoʀɔ̃/
You will have tu auras /ty oʀɑ/ You will have vous aurez /vu zoʀe/
He will have She will have One will have il aura elle aura on aura /il oʀa/ /ɛl oʀa/ /ɔ̃ noʀa/ They will have They will have ils auront elles auront /il zoʀɔ̃/ /ɛl zoʀɔ̃/
In informal French, the tu forms of verbs that begin with a vowel contract with the pronoun: tu es = t’es /tɛ/, tu as = t’as /tɑ/, etc. In addition, it is very common to use on (plus 3rd person singular conjugation) to mean we instead of nous.

Common Expressions with avoir and Etre Avoir and être are used in many common and idiomatic expressions that should be memorized:

avoir chaud /avwaʀ ʃo/ to be hot être de retour /ɛtʀ də ʀətuʀ/ to be back
avoir froid /avwaʀ fʀwa/ to be cold être en retard /ɛtʀ ɑ̃ ʀətaʀ/ to be late
avoir peur /avwaʀ pœʀ/ to be afraid être en avance /ɛtʀ ɑ̃ navɑ̃s/ to be early
avoir raison /avwaʀ ʀɛzɔ̃/ to be right être d’accord /ɛtʀ dakɔʀ/ to be in agreement
avoir tort /avwaʀ tɔʀ/ to be wrong être sur le point de /ɛtʀ syʀ lə pwɛ̃ də/ to be about to
avoir faim /avwaʀ fɛ̃/ to be hungry être en train de /ɛtʀ ɑ̃ tʀɛ̃ də/ to be in the act of
avoir soif /avwaʀ swaf/ to be thirsty être enrhumée /ɛtʀ ɑ̃ʀyme/ to have a cold
avoir sommeil /avwaʀ sɔmɛj/ to be sleepy nous + être (un jour) /ɛtʀ œ̃̃̃ ʒuʀ/ to be (a day)
avoir honte /avwaʀ ʽɔ̃t/ to be ashamed
avoir besoin de /avwaʀ bəzwɛ̃ də/ to need
avoir l’air de /avwaʀ ɛʀ də/ to look like, seem
avoir l’intention de /avwaʀ ɛ̃tɑ̃sjɔ̃/ to intend to
avoir envie de /avwaʀ ɑ̃vi də/ to feel like
avoir de la chance /avwaʀ də la ʃɑ̃s/ to be lucky
J’ai froid.  I’m cold. Tu avais raison.  You were right. Il aura sommeil ce soir.  He will be tired tonight. Elle a de la chance !  She’s lucky! Nous aurons faim plus tard.  We will be hungry later. Vous aviez tort.  You were wrong. Ils ont chaud.  They are hot. Elles avaient peur hier.  They were afraid yesterday. Je suis en retard!  I’m late! Tu étais en avance.  You were early. Elle sera d’accord.  She will agree. Nous sommes lundi.  It is Monday. Vous étiez enrhumé.  You had a cold. Ils seront en train d’étudier.  They will be (in the act of) studying. Elles étaient sur le point de partir.  They were about to leave. On est de retour.  We/you/they/the people are back.

French Question Words / Les interrogatifs

Who Qui /ki/
What Quoi /kwa/
Why Pourquoi /puʀkwa/
When Quand /kɑ̃/
Where /u/
How Comment /kɔmɑ̃/
How much / many Combien /kɔ̃bjɛ̃/
Which / what Quel(le) /kɛl/

French Numbers / Les nombres cardinaux

Zero Zéro /zeʀo/
One Un /œ̃̃̃/
Two Deux /dø/
Three Trois /tʀwɑ/
Four Quatre /katʀ/
Five Cinq /sɛ̃k/
Six Six /sis/
Seven Sept /sɛt/
Eight Huit /ʽɥit/
Nine Neuf /nœf/
Ten Dix /dis/
Eleven Onze /ɔ̃z/
Twelve Douze /duz/
Thirteen Treize /tʀɛz/
Fourteen Quatorze /katɔʀz/
Fifteen Quinze /kɛ̃z/
Sixteen Seize /sɛz/
Seventeen Dix-sept /disɛt/
Eighteen Dix-huit /dizɥit/
Nineteen Dix-neuf /diznœf/
Twenty Vingt /vɛ̃/
Twenty-one Vingt et un /vɛ̃t e œ̃̃̃/
Twenty-two Vingt-deux /vɛ̃ dø/
Twenty-three Vingt-trois /vɛ̃ tʀwɑ/
Thirty Trente /tʀɑ̃t/
Thirty-one Trente et un /tʀɑ̃t e œ̃̃̃/̃/
Thirty-two Trente-deux /tʀɑ̃t dø/
Forty Quarante /kaʀɑ̃t/
Fifty Cinquante /sɛ̃kɑ̃t/
Sixty Soixante /swasɑ̃t/
Seventy Soixante-dix /swasɑ̃tdis/
(Belgium & Switzerland) Septante /sɛptɑ̃t/
Seventy-one Soixante et onze /swasɑ̃t e ɔ̃z/
Seventy-two Soixante-douze /swasɑ̃t duz/
Eighty Quatre-vingts /katʀəvɛ̃/
(Belgium & Switzerland) Octante /ɔktɑ̃t/
Eighty-one Quatre-vingt-un /katʀəvɛ̃ tœ̃̃̃/
Eighty-two Quatre-vingt-deux /katʀəvɛ̃ dø/
Ninety Quatre-vingt-dix /katʀəvɛ̃ dis/
(Belgium & Switzerland) Nonante /nɔnɑ̃t/
Ninety-one Quatre-vingt-onze /katʀəvɛ̃ ɔ̃z/
Ninety-two Quatre-vingt-douze /katʀəvɛ̃ duz/
One Hundred Cent /sɑ̃/
One Hundred One Cent un /sɑ̃ tœ̃̃̃/
Two Hundred Deux cents /dø sɑ̃/
Two Hundred One Deux cent un /dø sɑ̃ tœ̃̃̃/
Thousand Mille /mil/
Two Thousand Deux mille /dø mil/
Million Un million /õ miljɔ̃/
Billion Un milliard /õ miljaʀ/

French switches the use of commas and periods.  1,00 would be 1.00 in English.  Belgian and Swiss French use septante and nonante in place of the standard French words for 70 and 90 (though some parts of Switzerland use huitante for 80 and octante is barely used anymore).  Also, when the numbers 5, 6, 8, and 10 are used before a word beginning with a consonant, their final consonants are not pronounced. Phone numbers in France are ten digits, beginning with 01, 02, 03, 04, or 05 depending on the geographical region, or 06 and 07 for cell phones. They are written two digits at a time, and pronounced thus: 01 36 55 89 28 = zéro un, trente-six, cinquante-cinq, quatre-vingt-neuf, vingt-huit.

Ordinal Numbers / Les nombres ordinaux 

first premier / première
second deuxième / second
third troisième
fourth quatrième
fifth cinquième
sixth sixième
seventh septième
eighth huitième
ninth neuvième
tenth dixième
eleventh onzième
twelfth douzième
twentieth vingtième
twenty-first vingt et unième
thirtieth trentième

The majority of numbers become ordinals by adding -ième.  But if a number ends in an e, you must drop it before adding the -ième.  After a q, you must add a u before the -ième.  And an f becomes a v before the -ième.

French Days of the Week / Les jours de la semaine

Monday lundi /lœ̃di/
Tuesday mardi /maʀdi/
Wednesday mercredi /mɛʀkʀədi/
Thursday jeudi /ʒødi/
Friday vendredi /vɑ̃dʀədi/
Saturday samedi /samdi/
Sunday dimanche /dimɑ̃ʃ/
day le jour /lə ʒuʀ/
week la semaine /la s(ə)mɛn/
today aujourd’hui /oʒuʀdɥi/
yesterday hier /jɛʀ/
tomorrow demain /dəmɛ̃/
next prochain / prochaine /pʀɔʃɛ̃/ /pʀɔʃɛn/
last dernier / dernière /dɛʀnje/ /dɛʀnjɛʀ/
day before yesterday avant-hier /avɑ̃tjɛʀ/
day after tomorrow après-demain /apʀɛdmɛ̃/
the following day le lendemain /lə lɑ̃dəmɛ̃/
the day before la veille /la vɛj/
Articles are not used before days, except to express something that happens habitually on a certain day, such as le lundi = on Mondays. Days of the week are all masculine in gender and they are not capitalized in writing.

French Months of the Year / Les mois de l’année

January janvier /ʒɑ̃vje/
February février /fevʀije/
March mars /maʀs/
April avril /avʀil/
May mai /mɛ/
June juin /ʒɥɛ̃/
July juillet /ʒɥijɛ/
August août /u(t)/
September septembre /sɛptɑ̃bʀ/
October octobre /ɔktɔbʀ/
November novembre /nɔvɑ̃bʀ/
December décembre /desɑ̃bʀ/
month le mois /lə mwa/
year l’an / l’année /lɑ̃/ /lane/
decade la décennie /deseni/
century le siècle /lə sjɛkl/
millennium le millénaire /milenɛʀ/
To express in a certain month, such as in May, use en before the month as in “en mai.”  With dates, the ordinal numbers are not used, except for the first of the month:  le premier mai but le deux juin.  Also note that months are all masculine and not capitalized in French (same as days of the week).

French Seasons / Les saisons

Summer l’été /lete/ in the summer en été /ɑ̃ nete/
Fall l’automne /lotɔn/ in the fall en automne /ɑ̃ notɔn/
Winter l’hiver /livɛʀ/ in the winter en hiver /ɑ̃ nivɛʀ/
Spring le printemps /lə pʀɛ̃tɑ̃/ in the spring au printemps /o prɛ̃tɑ̃/

French Directions / Les directions

on the left à gauche /a goʃ/
on the right à droite /a dʀwɑt/
straight ahead tout droit /tu dʀwɑ/
North le nord /lə nɔʀ/ Northeast le nord-est /lə nɔʀ(d)ɛst/
South le sud /lə syd/ Northwest le nord-ouest /lə nɔʀ(d)wɛst/
East l’est /lɛst/ Southeast le sud-est /sydɛst/
West l’ouest /lwɛst/ Southwest le sud-ouest /sydwɛst/

French Colors and Shapes / Les couleurs et les formes

Red rouge /ʀuʒ/ square le carré /kaʀe/
Orange orange /ɔʀɑ̃ʒ/ circle le cercle /sɛʀkl/
Yellow jaune /ʒon/ triangle le triangle /tʀijɑ̃gl/
Green vert / verte /vɛʀ/ /vɛʀt/ rectangle le rectangle /ʀɛktɑ̃gl/
Blue bleu / bleue /blø/ oval l’ovale /ɔval/
Purple violet / violette /vjɔlɛ/ /vjɔlɛt/ cube le cube /kyb/
White blanc / blanche /blɑ̃/ /blɑ̃ʃ/ sphere la sphère /sfɛʀ/
Brown brun / brune marron /bʀõ/ /bʀyn/ /maʀɔ̃/ cylinder le cylindre /silɛ̃dʀ/
Black noir / noire /nwaʀ/ cone le cône /kon/
Pink rose /ʀoz/ octagon l’octogone /ɔktogɔn/
Gold doré / dorée /dɔʀe/ box la boîte /bwat/
Silver argenté / argentée /aʀʒɑ̃te/ light clair / claire /klɛʀ/
Gray gris / grise /gʀi/ /gʀiz/ dark foncé / foncée /fɔ̃se/
Some adjectives of color do not change to agree with gender or number, such as adjectives that also exist as nouns: orange, marron, rose; and compound adjectives: bleu clair, noir foncé remain masculine even if they describe a feminine noun.  Remember to place the color adjective after the noun.

French Weather Expressions / Le temps qu’il fait

What’s the weather like? Quel temps fait-il ? /kɛl tɑ̃ fɛ til/
It’s nice Il fait bon /il fɛ bɔ̃/
bad Il fait mauvais /il fɛ mɔve/
cool Il fait frais /il fɛ fʀɛ/
cold Il fait froid /il fɛ fʀwɑ/
warm, hot Il fait chaud /il fɛ ʃo/
cloudy Il fait nuageux /il fɛ nyaʒ/
beautiful Il fait beau /il fɛ bo/
mild Il fait doux /il fɛ du/
stormy Il fait orageux /il fɛ ɔʀaʒ/
sunny Il fait soleil /il fɛ sɔlɛj/
humid Il fait humide /il fɛ ymid/
muggy Il fait lourd /il fɛ luʀ/
windy Il fait du vent /il fɛ dy vɑ̃/
foggy Il fait du brouillard /il fɛ dy bʀujaʀ/
snowing Il neige /il nɛʒ/
raining Il pleut /il plø/
freezing Il gèle /il ʒɛl/
hailing Il grêle /il gʀɛl/
It is ____ degrees. Il fait ____ degrés. /il fɛ __ dəgʀe/
Il pleut des cordes /il plø de koʀd/ is a common expression meaning it’s pouring. Il caille /il kaj/ or ça caille /sa kaj/ is slang for it’s freezing. French-speaking countries use Celcius for degrees.

French Time Expressions / Le temps qui passe

What time is it? Quelle heure est-il ? /kɛl œʀ ɛ til/
It is… Il est… /il ɛ/
one o’clock une heure /yn œʀ/
two o’clock deux heures /dø zœʀ/
noon midi /midi/
midnight minuit /minɥi/
a quarter after three trois heures et quart /tʀwɑ zœʀ e kaʀ/
one o’clock sharp une heure précise /yn œʀ pʀesiz/
four o’clock sharp quatre heures précises /katʀœʀ pʀesiz/
twelve thirty midi (minuit) et demi /midi (minɥi) e dəmi/
six thirty six heures et demie /si zœʀ e dəmi/
a quarter to seven sept heures moins le quart /sɛt œʀ mwɛ̃ lə kaʀ/
five twenty cinq heures vingt /sɛ̃k œʀ vɛ̃/
ten fifty onze heures moins dix /ɔ̃z œʀ mwɛ̃ dis/
in the morning/AM du matin /dy matɛ̃/
in the afternoon/PM de l’après-midi /də lapʀɛmidi/
in the evening/PM du soir /dy swaʀ/
Official French time is expressed as military time (24 hour clock.) You can only use regular numbers, and not demi, quart, etc. when reporting time with the 24 hour system. For example, if it is 18h30, you must say dix-huit heures trente. The word pile /pil/ is also a more informal way of saying précise (exactly, sharp).

French Family and Animals / La famille et les animaux

 
Family la famille /famij/
Relatives des parents /paʀɑ̃/
Parents les parents /paʀɑ̃/
Grandparents les grands-parents /gʀɑ̃paʀɑ̃/
Mom la mère / maman /mɛʀ/ /mɑmɑ̃/
Stepmother/Mother-in-Law la belle-mère /bɛlmɛʀ/
Dad le père / papa /pɛʀ/ /papa/
Stepfather/Father-in-Law le beau-père /bopɛʀ/
Daughter la fille /fij/
Son le fils /fis/
Sister la sœur /sœʀ/
Half/Step Sister la demi-sœur /dəmi sœʀ/
Sister-in-Law la belle-sœur /bɛlsœʀ/
Stepdaughter/Daughter-in-Law la belle-fille /bɛl fij/
Brother le frère /fʀɛʀ/
Half/Step Brother le demi-frère /dəmi fʀɛʀ/
Brother-in-Law le beau-frère /bo fʀɛʀ/
Stepson/Son-in-Law le beau-fils /bo fis/
Twins (m) les jumeaux /ʒymo/
Twins (f) les jumelles /ʒymɛl/
Uncle l’oncle /ɔ̃kl/
Aunt la tante /tɑ̃t/
Grandmother la grand-mère /gʀɑ̃mɛʀ/
Grandfather le grand-père /gʀɑ̃pɛʀ/
Cousin (f) la cousine /kuzin/
Cousin (m) le cousin /kuzɛ̃/
Wife la femme /fam/
Husband le mari /maʀi/
Woman la femme /fam/
Man l’homme /ɔm/
Child (m) / (f) un enfant / une enfant /ɑ̃fɑ̃/
Girl la fille /fij/
Boy le garçon /gaʀsɔ̃/
Niece la nièce /njɛs/
Nephew le neveu /n(ə)vœ/
Grandchildren les petits-enfants /p(ə)tizɑ̃fɑ̃/
Granddaughter la petite-fille /p(ə)tit fij/
Grandson le petit-fils /p(ə)tifis/
Godfather le parrain /paʀɛ̃/
Godmother la marraine /maʀɛn/
Godson le filleul /fijœl/
Goddaughter la filleule /fijœl/
Distant Relatives des parents éloignés /paʀɑ̃ elwaɲe/
Single célibataire /selibatɛʀ/
Married marié(e) /maʀje/
Separated séparé(e) /sepaʀe/
Divorced divorcé(e) /divɔʀse/
Widower veuf /vœf/
Widow veuve /vœv/
Dog le chien / la chienne (m) / (f) /ʃjɛ̃/ /ʃjɛn/
Cat le chat / la chatte (m) / (f) /ʃa/ /ʃat/
Puppy le chiot /ʃjo/
Kitten le chaton /ʃatɔ̃/
Pig le cochon /kɔʃɔ̃/
Rooster le coq /kɔk/
Rabbit le lapin /lapɛ̃/
Cow la vache /vaʃ/
Horse le cheval /ʃ(ə)val/
Duck le canard /kanaʀ/
Goat la chèvre /ʃɛvʀ/
Goose l’oie /wa/
Sheep le mouton /mutɔ̃/
Lamb l’agneau /aɲo/
Donkey l’âne /ɑn/
Mouse la souris /suʀi/

Le gendre /ʒɑ̃dʀ/ is another word for son-in-law.

Slang words for people and pets:
The entire family toute la smala /tut la smala/ Sister la frangine /fʀɑ̃ʒin/
Grandma mémé / mamie /meme/ /mami/ Brother le frangin /fʀɑ̃ʒɛ̃/
Grandpa pépé / papi /pepe/ /papi/ Son le fiston /fistɔ̃/
Children des gosses /gɔs/ Aunt tata / tatie /tata/ /tati/
Kid un gamin / une gamine /gamɛ̃/ /gamin/ Uncle tonton /tɔ̃tɔ̃/
Woman une nana /nana/ Dog le cabot / clébard /kabo/ /klebaʀ/
Man un mec / type / gars /mɛk/ /tip/ /gaʀ/ Cat le minou /minu/
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French Classroom:Vocabulary

Learn French Fast

Days of the Week in French

First, let’s take a look at the days of the week:
English French
Monday lundi (pronounced: lun-dee)
Tuesday mardi (pronounced like: Mardi Gras)
Wednesday mercredi (pronounced: mer-cra-dee)
Thursday jeudi (pronounced: ju-dee)
Friday vendredi (pronounced: von-dra-dee)
Saturday samedi (pronounced: sa-mey-dee)
Sunday dimanche (pronounced: dee-man-sh)
Notice that they are not automatically capitalized like they are in English. That is a very important rule, so make sure you keep it in mind! Learn to speak French

French Months of the Year

This lesson will teach you how to say the months of the year in French. The names of the months are considered to be international words. They are fairly similar in French and English languages and should be easy for you to learn. Note that in French, the months are not capitalized unless they occur in the beginning of a sentence. Besides that, all months in French are masculine.
French word English translation Pronunciation
janvier January zhah(n)-vyay
février February fay-vree-yay
mars March mahrs
avril April ah-vreel
mai May meh
juin June zhwa(n)
juillet July zhwee-eh
août August oo or oot
septembre September sehp-tah(n)br
octobre October ohk-tohbr
novembre November noh-vah(n)br
décembre December day-sah(n)br

French Language Courses

French Prepositions Used with Months

In order to say that something is going to happen “in” a certain month, French speakers use the preposition “en”, which is pronounced as [ah(n)]. If you’d like to say that something has been happening “since” a certain month, the preposition “depuis” should be used. The table below gives a few examples:
depuis décembre since December duh-pwee day-sah(n)br
un mois a month uh(n) mwah
une année a year ewn ah-nay
un an one year uhN nahN

Phrases and examples

Il y a douze mois dans l’année There are twelve months in a year Je suis né le 10 décembre I was born on the 10th of December
Comments Unlike English, the names of the months do not begin with a capital letter.
As you can read and listen to the sounds of the words for the months in French, you will notice that they are very similar to English and should not give you any problems in learning by heart. Listen and repeat as often as possible.

 Most Essential Everyday Expressions

It’s / That’s c’est /sɛ/ There is/are il y a /il i a/
There is/are voilà /vwala/ Here is/are voici /vwasi/
and et /e/ always toujours /tuʒuʀ/
but mais /mɛ/ often souvent /suvɑ̃/
now maintenant /mɛ̃tnɑ̃/ sometimes quelquefois /kɛlkəfwa/
especially surtout /syʀtu/ usually d’habitude /dabityd/
except sauf /sof/ also, too aussi /osi/
of course bien sûr /bjɛ̃ syʀ/ again encore /ɑ̃kɔʀ/
so so comme ci, comme ça /kɔm si, kɔm sa/ late en retard /ɑ̃ʀətaʀ/
not bad pas mal /pa mal/ almost presque /pʀɛsk/
book le livre /lə livʀ/ friend (fem) une amie /y nami/
pencil le crayon /lə kʀɛjɔ̃/ friend (masc) un ami /œ̃ nami/
pen le stylo /lə stilo/ woman une femme /yn fam/
paper le papier /lə papje/ man un homme /œ̃ nɔm/
dog le chien /lə ʃjɛ̃/ girl une fille /yn fij/
cat le chat /lə ʃa/ boy un garçon /œ̃̃ gaʀsɔ̃/
money l’argent (m) /laʀʒɑ̃/ job / work le travail /lə tʀavaj/

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