Imparfait (Imperfect) Tense Conjugation of the French Verb bibeloter

ByMichael Burns

Introduction to the verb bibeloter

Get the imperfect (imparfait) tense conjugation of bibeloter. Includes a FREE downloadable reference sheet (no email required). Alternatively if you have a lot of text to check then use our free French Grammar Checker – no registration required!

The English translation of the French verb “bibeloter” is “to collect trinkets” or “to collect knick-knacks.” The pronunciation of the infinitive form “bibeloter” is [bee-buh-loh-tey].

The word “bibeloter” has its origins in the French language, specifically from the noun “bibelot” which means “trinket” or “knick-knack.” It is often used in everyday French in the imparfait tense to describe a past habit, repeated action, or ongoing state in the past.

Here are three simple examples of the usage of “bibeloter” in the imparfait tense:

  1. Je bibelotais tous les objets que je trouvais. (I used to collect every object I found.)
  2. Pendant mon enfance, ma grand-mère bibelotait des figurines en porcelaine. (During my childhood, my grandmother used to collect porcelain figurines.)
  3. Ils bibelotaient toujours des souvenirs lors de leurs voyages. (They would always collect souvenirs during their travels.)

English translations:

  1. I used to collect every object I found.
  2. During my childhood, my grandmother used to collect porcelain figurines.
  3. They would always collect souvenirs during their travels.

Table of the Imparfait (Imperfect) Tense Conjugation of bibeloter

Pronoun Conjugation Short Example English Translation
je bibelotais Je bibelotais beaucoup. I used to collect a lot of knick-knacks.
tu bibelotais Tu bibelotais souvent. You used to collect knick-knacks often.
il bibelotait Il bibelotait dans sa chambre. He used to collect knick-knacks in his room.
elle bibelotait Elle bibelotait avec passion. She used to collect knick-knacks with passion.
on bibelotait On bibelotait ensemble. We used to collect knick-knacks together.
nous bibelotions Nous bibelotions chaque week-end. We used to collect knick-knacks every weekend.
vous bibelotiez Vous bibelotiez pour décorer votre maison. You used to collect knick-knacks to decorate your house.
ils bibelotaient Ils bibelotaient depuis longtemps. They used to collect knick-knacks for a long time.
elles bibelotaient Elles bibelotaient avec joie. They used to collect knick-knacks with joy.

Other Conjugations for Bibeloter.

Le Present (Present Tense) Conjugation of the French Verb bibeloter

Imparfait (Imperfect) Tense Conjugation of the French Verb bibeloter (You’re reading it right now!)

Passé Simple (Simple Past) Tense Conjugation of the French Verb bibeloter

Passé Composé (Present Perfect) Tense Conjugation of the French Verb bibeloter

Futur Simple (Simple Future) Tense Conjugation of the French Verb bibeloter

Futur Proche (Near Future) Tense Conjugation of the French Verb bibeloter

Plus-que-parfait (Pluperfect) Tense Conjugation of the French Verb bibeloter

Passé Antérieur (Past Anterior) Tense Conjugation of the French Verb bibeloter

Futur Antérieur (Future Anterior) Tense Conjugation of the French Verb bibeloter

Subjonctif Présent (Subjunctive Present) Tense Conjugation of the French Verb bibeloter

Subjonctif Passé (Subjunctive Past) Tense Conjugation of the French Verb bibeloter

Subjonctif Imparfait (Subjunctive Imperfect) Tense Conjugation of the French Verb bibeloter

Subjonctif Plus-que-parfait (Subjunctive Pluperfect) Tense Conjugation of the French Verb bibeloter

Conditionnel Présent (Conditional Present) Tense Conjugation of the French Verb bibeloter

Conditionnel Passé (Conditional Past) Tense Conjugation of the French Verb bibeloter

Conditionnel Passé II (Conditional Past II) Tense Conjugation of the French Verb bibeloter

L’impératif Présent (Imperative Present) Tense Conjugation of the French Verb bibeloter

L’impératif Passé (Imperative Past) Tense Conjugation of the French Verb bibeloter

L’infinitif Présent (Infinitive Present) Tense Conjugation of the French Verb bibeloter

L’infinitif Passé (Infinitive Past) Tense Conjugation of the French Verb bibeloter

Le Participe Présent (Present Participle) Tense Conjugation of the French Verb bibeloter

Le Participe Passé (Past Participle) Tense Conjugation of the French Verb bibeloter

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Bibeloter – About the French Imparfait Tense

The French imparfait tense, often called the imperfect tense in English, is used to describe actions or states in the past. It’s primarily used to provide background information, set the scene, or describe habitual or ongoing actions in the past.

NOTE: To take a deep dive into all the French tenses then see our article on Mastering French Tense Conjugation.

Formation of the Imparfait Tense

To form the imparfait tense in French, you typically take the present tense nous form of the verb, drop the -ons ending, and add specific endings based on the verb group (regular -er, -ir, -re verbs) or use irregular forms for certain verbs.  

For regular -er verbs:

Take the infinitive form (e.g., parler, finir, rendre) Remove the -er ending Add the imparfait endings: -ais, -ais, -ait, -ions, -iez, -aient 

For regular -ir verbs

Take the infinitive form (e.g., choisir, grandir, finir) Remove the -ir ending Add the imparfait endings: -issais, -issais, -issait, -issions, -issiez, -issaient 

For regular -re verbs

Take the infinitive form (e.g., vendre, attendre, entendre) Remove the -re ending Add the imparfait endings: -ais, -ais, -ait, -ions, -iez, -aient

Common Everyday Usage Patterns

Description of Past Habits

The imparfait is often used to describe habitual actions or situations in the past. For example: “Quand j’étais enfant, je jouais au football tous les jours.” (When I was a child, I used to play football every day.) 

Background Information

It’s used to provide background information or set the stage for a main event in the past. For instance: “Il faisait beau ce jour-là.” (The weather was nice that day.) 

Mental and Emotional States

It’s employed to express emotions, thoughts, or physical sensations in the past. For example: “J’étais content quand il est arrivé.” (I was happy when he arrived.) 

Ongoing Actions

The imparfait describes actions that were in progress or happening when something else occurred in the past. For instance: “Je lisais un livre quand le téléphone a sonné.” (I was reading a book when the phone rang.)

Points to Note About the Imparfait Tense

Passé Composé vs. Imparfait

The imparfait and passé composé (a compound past tense) are often used together to express the completion of an action in the past (passé composé) and provide context or background (imparfait). For example: “Il regardait la télévision quand son ami est arrivé.” (He was watching TV when his friend arrived.) 

Conditional

The imparfait is used as the base for forming the conditional mood in French. For instance, “Je mangerais” (I would eat) is formed from “je mangeais” (I was eating). 

Si Clauses

In hypothetical or “if” clauses (si clauses), the imparfait is often used to express a condition in the past. For example: “Si j’avais de l’argent, j’achèterais une nouvelle voiture.” (If I had money, I would buy a new car.) 

Narration

In storytelling or writing, the imparfait is frequently used to set the scene and describe ongoing actions while the passé composé is used for specific events or actions that interrupted the ongoing ones.
Understanding the French imperfect tense is crucial for effective communication in French. Without it, your conversations will always live in the present!

I hope you enjoyed this article on the verb bibeloter. Still in a learning mood? Check out another TOTALLY random French verb imparfait conjugation!

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