Imparfait (Imperfect) Tense Conjugation of the French Verb encanailler

ByMichael Burns

Introduction to the verb encanailler

Get the imperfect (imparfait) tense conjugation of encanailler. 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 “encanailler” is “to consort with lowlifes” or “to mingle with the lower class.” The pronunciation of the infinitive form “encanailler” is [ɑ̃.ka.na.je].

The word “encanailler” has its roots in the old French word “canaille,” which means “rabble” or “lower class.” It carries a negative connotation and implies associating or socializing with people of lower social status.

In everyday French, “encanailler” in the imparfait tense is used to describe someone’s past habit of associating with a lower class or indulging in activities typically considered inappropriate for their social standing. It can also convey a sense of nostalgia or the desire to relive those moments.

Here are three examples of “encanailler” in the imparfait tense with their English translations:

  1. Quand j’étais jeune, je m’encanaillais dans les bars de quartier.
    (When I was young, I used to hang out in neighborhood bars with the lower class.)

  2. Pendant ses vacances, elle s’encanaillait sur les plages populaires.
    (During her vacations, she used to mingle with lowlifes on popular beaches.)

  3. Nous nous encanaillions en assistant à des spectacles de cirque ambulants.
    (We used to consort with lowlifes by attending traveling circus shows.)

Please note that the translation of “encanailler” may vary depending on the context, and it is important to consider the nuances of the verb when using it.

Table of the Imparfait (Imperfect) Tense Conjugation of encanailler

Pronoun Conjugation Short Example English Translation
je encanaillais J’encanaillais souvent. I used to hang out a lot.
tu encanaillais Tu encanaillais la nuit. You used to hang out at night.
il encanaillait Il encanaillait avec ses amis. He used to hang out with his friends.
elle encanaillait Elle encanaillait dans les bars. She used to hang out in bars.
on encanaillait On encanaillait en ville. We used to hang out in town.
nous encanaillions Nous encanaillions ensemble. We used to hang out together.
vous encanailliez Vous encanailliez souvent. You used to hang out a lot.
ils encanaillaient Ils encanaillaient tard. They used to hang out late.
elles encanaillaient Elles encanaillaient toute la nuit. They used to hang out all night.

Other Conjugations for Encanailler.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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