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

Introduction to the verb bagouler

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The English translation of the French verb “bagouler” is “to sway” or “to swagger.” The infinitive form of “bagouler” is pronounced as “bah-goo-leh.”

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The word “bagouler” has its origin in the French slang “bagoule,” which means “glib talk” or “smooth talk.” In everyday French, “bagouler” is most often used to describe someone who talks confidently or boastfully, often with a touch of arrogance.

Examples:

Il bagoule sans cesse, mais il n’a rien accompli. (He constantly swaggers, but he hasn’t achieved anything.)
Elle aime bagouler devant ses amis pour se faire valoir. (She enjoys swaggering in front of her friends to make herself look important.)
Ne te laisse pas impressionner par son bagouillage, il exagère toujours. (Don’t let yourself be impressed by his swaggering, he always exaggerates.)

Bagouler – 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 bagouler

Pronoun	Conjugation	Short Example	English Translation
Je	bagoule	Je bagoule devant le miroir.	I talk animatedly in front of the mirror.
Tu	bagoules	Tu bagoules avec tes amis.	You talk animatedly with your friends.
Il	bagoule	Il bagoule lors des réunions.	He talks animatedly during meetings.
Elle	bagoule	Elle bagoule en classe.	She talks animatedly in class.
On	bagoule	On bagoule au café.	We talk animatedly at the café.
Nous	bagoulons	Nous bagoulons pendant le voyage.	We talk animatedly during the trip.
Vous	bagoulez	Vous bagoulez au téléphone.	You talk animatedly on the phone.
Ils	bagoulent	Ils bagoulent pendant le match.	They talk animatedly during the game.
Elles	bagoulent	Elles bagoulent entre elles.	They talk animatedly amongst themselves.