Imparfait (Imperfect) Tense Conjugation of the French Verb embieller

ByMichael Burns

Introduction to the verb embieller

Get the imperfect (imparfait) tense conjugation of embieller. 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 “embieller” is “to make someone drunk” or “to intoxicate someone.” The pronunciation of the infinitive form “embieller” is as follows: [ahm-bee-yeh].

The verb “embieller” has its roots in the Middle French word “embieler,” which comes from the Old French word “embeler.” It ultimately derives from the Latin word “imbibere,” meaning “to soak in, to drink in.” In everyday French, “embieller” is used in the imparfait tense to describe the action of making someone drunk or intoxicated in the past.

Here are three simple examples of how “embieller” can be used in the imparfait tense, along with their English translations:

  1. Chaque soir, il l’embielait avec du vin rouge.
    (Every evening, he would make her drunk with red wine.)

  2. Quand nous étions jeunes, ma mère nous embielait avec des cocktails sucrés.
    (When we were young, my mother would intoxicate us with sweet cocktails.)

  3. Les fêtards d’autrefois s’embiellaient souvent avec de l’absinthe.
    (Partygoers in the past would often get drunk with absinthe.)

Please note that the verb “embieller” is not frequently used in modern French.

Table of the Imparfait (Imperfect) Tense Conjugation of embieller

Pronoun Conjugation Short Example English Translation
je embiellais J’embiellais le moteur. I was adjusting the engine.
tu embiellais Tu embiellais le vélo. You were fixing the bike.
il embiellait Il embiellait la machine. He was repairing the machine.
elle embiellait Elle embiellait la voiture. She was fixing the car.
on embiellait On embiellait les instruments. We were adjusting the instruments.
nous embiellions Nous embiellions les outils. We were fixing the tools.
vous embielliez Vous embielliez les appareils. You were repairing the appliances.
ils embiellaient Ils embiellaient les pièces. They were fixing the parts.
elles embiellaient Elles embiellaient les machines. They were repairing the machines.

Other Conjugations for Embieller.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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