Imparfait (Imperfect) Tense Conjugation of the French Verb décomplexer

ByMichael Burns

Introduction to the verb décomplexer

Get the imperfect (imparfait) tense conjugation of décomplexer. 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 “décomplexer” is “to gain confidence” or “to stop feeling self-conscious.” The infinitive form “décomplexer” is pronounced as “day-kom-plex-ay.”

“Décomplexer” is derived from the French noun “complex,” meaning complex or insecurity. The prefix “dé-” indicates a reversal or cessation of the noun’s effect. Therefore, “décomplexer” can be understood as the action of getting rid of one’s complexes or becoming more self-assured.

In everyday French, the imparfait tense is used to describe ongoing or repeated actions in the past. When used in the imparfait, “décomplexer” refers to the gradual process of gaining confidence or overcoming one’s insecurities.

Here are three simple examples of using “décomplexer” in the imparfait tense, along with their English translations:

  1. Quand j’étais jeune, je me décomplexais en dansant devant un miroir.
    (When I was young, I would gain confidence by dancing in front of a mirror.)

  2. Nous nous décomplexions en pratiquant régulièrement des activités sportives.
    (We used to stop feeling self-conscious by regularly engaging in sports activities.)

  3. Elles se décomplexaient peu à peu grâce aux compliments de leurs amis.
    (They were gradually gaining confidence thanks to the compliments from their friends.)

Table of the Imparfait (Imperfect) Tense Conjugation of décomplexer

Pronoun Conjugation Short Example English Translation
je décomplexais Je me décomplexais des critiques. I was becoming less self-conscious about the criticisms.
tu décomplexais Tu te décomplexais devant les autres. You were becoming less self-conscious in front of others.
il décomplexait Il se décomplexait face aux obstacles. He was becoming less self-conscious in the face of obstacles.
elle décomplexait Elle se décomplexait en public. She was becoming less self-conscious in public.
on décomplexait On se décomplexait en dansant. We were becoming less self-conscious while dancing.
nous décomplexions Nous nous décomplexions de nos défauts. We were becoming less self-conscious about our flaws.
vous décomplexiez Vous vous décomplexiez avec l’âge. You were becoming less self-conscious with age.
ils décomplexaient Ils se décomplexaient devant les jugements. They were becoming less self-conscious in front of judgments.
elles décomplexaient Elles se décomplexaient avec le temps. They were becoming less self-conscious with time.

Other Conjugations for Décomplexer.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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