Imparfait (Imperfect) Tense Conjugation of the French Verb dégoupiller

ByMichael Burns

Introduction to the verb dégoupiller

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The English translation of the French verb “dégoupiller” is “to pull the pin out.” The pronunciation of the infinitive form “dégoupiller” is: /deɡu.pi.je/.

The origin of the word “dégoupiller” is derived from the combination of the prefix “dé-” (which indicates an action of reversal or removal) and the noun “goupille” (meaning a pin). Together, the verb refers to the act of removing a pin or pulling out a pin.

In everyday French, the verb “dégoupiller” is most often used in the imparfait tense, which is used to describe ongoing or repeated actions in the past. Here are three examples of its usage in the imparfait tense:

  1. Chaque fois qu’il voyait un danger, il dégoupillait une grenade.
    (Every time he saw danger, he would pull the pin out of a grenade.)

  2. Pendant la guerre, les soldats dégoupillaient les explosifs avant d’entrer dans le bâtiment.
    (During the war, the soldiers would pull the pin out of the explosives before entering the building.)

  3. Quand il était en colère, il dégoupillait sans réfléchir.
    (When he was angry, he would pull the pin out without thinking.)

English translations:

  1. Every time he saw danger, he would pull the pin out of a grenade.
  2. During the war, the soldiers would pull the pin out of the explosives before entering the building.
  3. When he was angry, he would pull the pin out without thinking.

Table of the Imparfait (Imperfect) Tense Conjugation of dégoupiller

Pronoun Conjugation Short Example English Translation
je dégoupillais Je dégoupillais la grenade. I was pulling the pin of the grenade.
tu dégoupillais Tu dégoupillais les explosifs. You were pulling the pin of the explosives.
il dégoupillait Il dégoupillait la bombe. He was pulling the pin of the bomb.
elle dégoupillait Elle dégoupillait le fusil. She was pulling the pin of the rifle.
on dégoupillait On dégoupillait les grenades. We were pulling the pins of the grenades.
nous dégoupillions Nous dégoupillions les mines. We were pulling the pins of the mines.
vous dégoupilliez Vous dégoupilliez les explosifs. You were pulling the pins of the explosives.
ils dégoupillaient Ils dégoupillaient les bombes. They were pulling the pins of the bombs.
elles dégoupillaient Elles dégoupillaient les fusils. They were pulling the pins of the rifles.

Other Conjugations for Dégoupiller.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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