Imparfait (Imperfect) Tense Conjugation of the French Verb billonner

ByMichael Burns

Introduction to the verb billonner

Get the imperfect (imparfait) tense conjugation of billonner. 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 “billonner” is “to ripple” or “to crinkle.” The infinitive form “billonner” is pronounced as “bee-yo-nay.”

The word “billonner” originated from the French noun “billon,” which refers to a mixed or impure metal used to make coins. The verb “billonner” developed from this noun to describe the action of creating a rippled or crinkled effect on a surface, similar to the texture of a coin made from billon metal.

In everyday French, the verb “billonner” in the imparfait tense is generally used to describe continuous or repetitive actions in the past. Here are three simple examples of its usage in the imparfait tense, along with their English translations:

  1. Je billonnais le papier pour lui donner une texture artistique.
    (I used to ripple the paper to give it an artistic texture.)

  2. Pendant la cuisson, la pâte à tarte billonnait légèrement.
    (During baking, the pie crust would ripple slightly.)

  3. Les vagues billonnaient doucement le long de la plage.
    (The waves were gently rippling along the beach.)

Note: Please keep in mind that the imparfait tense does not always have a direct translation in English, but the translations provided aim to convey a similar meaning.

Table of the Imparfait (Imperfect) Tense Conjugation of billonner

Pronoun Conjugation Short Example English Translation
je billonnais Je billonnais le tissu. I was piling up the fabric.
tu billonnais Tu billonnais les draps. You were folding the sheets.
il billonnait Il billonnait le papier. He was crumpling the paper.
elle billonnait Elle billonnait les serviettes. She was pleating the napkins.
on billonnait On billonnait les couvertures. We were ruffling the blankets.
nous billonnions Nous billonnions les rideaux. We were gathering the curtains.
vous billonniez Vous billonniez les tapis. You were wrinkling the carpets.
ils billonnaient Ils billonnaient les vêtements. They were rumpling the clothes.
elles billonnaient Elles billonnaient les écharpes. They were creasing the scarves.

Other Conjugations for Billonner.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Billonner – 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 billonner. Still in a learning mood? Check out another TOTALLY random French verb imparfait conjugation!

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