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

Introduction to the verb bafouiller

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The English translation of the French verb “bafouiller” is “to stammer” or “to stutter.” The infinitive form of “bafouiller” is pronounced as “ba-foo-yay.”

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Bafouiller originated from the Old French word “bafouer,” which means “to mock” or “to ridicule.” In everyday French, bafouiller is commonly used to describe someone who has difficulty speaking fluently, often accompanied by hesitations or repetition of sounds or words.

Examples:

J’ai tendance à bafouiller quand je parle en public. (I tend to stammer when I speak in public.)
Il a bafouillé quelques mots avant de s’excuser et partir. (He stuttered a few words before apologizing and leaving.)
Ne te mets pas à bafouiller quand tu stresses, ça va bien se passer. (Don’t start stammering when you’re stressed, it will be fine.)

Bafouiller – About the French Present Tense

The French present tense, also known as “le présent,” is used to describe actions that are happening at the moment of speaking or for actions that are habitual, general truths, or that will occur in the near future. It’s the most basic and common tense in French.

To take a deep dive into all the French tenses then see our article on Mastering French Tense Conjugation.

Common Everyday Usage Patterns For Le Present

1. Describing Actions in the Present: The present tense is used to describe actions happening right now or at the moment of speaking. For example: “Je parle avec mon ami” (I am talking to my friend).

2. Expressing Habits and Routines: The present tense is used to talk about habitual actions or routines. For example: “Je travaille tous les jours” (I work every day).

3. Stating General Truths: The present tense is used to express general truths or facts. For example: “La Terre tourne autour du soleil” (The Earth orbits around the sun).

4. Talking about Near Future: The present tense can be used to express future actions that are very imminent or part of a planned schedule. For example: “Je pars demain matin” (I am leaving tomorrow morning).

Interactions with Other Tenses

– Present vs. Future Tense: In some cases, the French present tense can be used to express the future when the context makes it clear that the action is imminent. However, for actions further in the future or less certain, the future tense is typically used.

– Present vs. Past Tenses: To describe actions that occurred in the past, you would use the past tenses like the passé composé (compound past) or the imparfait (imperfect). The choice between these past tenses depends on the specific aspect and circumstances of the past action.

– Present vs. Conditional Tense: The conditional tense is used to express actions that are dependent on a condition. If a condition is met, the action may happen. The present tense is used for actions in the present, while the conditional is used for hypothetical or future actions based on conditions.

– Present vs. Imperative: The imperative mood is used to give commands or make requests. The present tense is used for general statements, and the imperative is used for direct orders or requests.

Understanding the French present tense and its interactions with other tenses is crucial for effective communication in French. Without it, you cannot become proficient!

Table of the Present Tense Conjugation of bafouiller

Pronoun	Conjugation	Short Example	English Translation
Je	bafouille	Je bafouille souvent en public.	I often stammer in public.
Tu	bafouilles	Tu bafouilles tes mots quand tu es nerveux.	You stutter your words when you’re nervous.
Il	bafouille	Il bafouille lorsqu’il parle rapidement.	He stutters when he speaks quickly.
Elle	bafouille	Elle bafouille en présence d’une grande audience.	She stutters in front of a large audience.
On	bafouille	On bafouille quand on est fatigué.	One stutters when one is tired.
Nous	bafouillons	Nous bafouillons nos réponses lors des interviews.	We stutter our answers during interviews.
Vous	bafouillez	Vous bafouillez quand vous êtes surpris.	You stutter when you’re surprised.
Ils	bafouillent	Ils bafouillent devant la caméra.	They stutter in front of the camera.
Elles	bafouillent	Elles bafouillent quand elles sont intimidées.	They (feminine) stutter when they are intimidated.