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

Introduction to the verb barbouiller

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The English translation of the French verb “barbouiller” is “to smudge” or “to blot.” The infinitive form of barbouiller is pronounced as “bar-boo-yay.”

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Barbouiller originates from the combination of the old French words “barbe” (beard) and “bouiller” (to boil). In everyday French, it is commonly used to describe the act of smearing or staining something, often with ink, paint, or food.

Examples of usage:

J’ai barbouillé mon dessin avec de l’encre. (I smudged my drawing with ink.)
Fais attention à ne pas te barbouiller en mangeant. (Be careful not to smudge yourself while eating.)
Les enfants se sont barbouillés de peinture pendant l’activité artistique. (The children smudged themselves with paint during the art activity.)

Barbouiller – 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 barbouiller

Pronoun	Conjugation	Short Example	English Translation
Je	Je barbouille	Je barbouille une feuille.	I smear a sheet.
Tu	Tu barbouilles	Tu barbouilles ton visage.	You smear your face.
Il	Il barbouille	Il barbouille le mur.	He smears the wall.
Elle	Elle barbouille	Elle barbouille sa main.	She smears her hand.
On	On barbouille	On barbouille le tableau.	One smears the board.
Nous	Nous barbouillons	Nous barbouillons nos vêtements.	We smear our clothes.
Vous	Vous barbouillez	Vous barbouillez la table.	You smear the table.
Ils	Ils barbouillent	Ils barbouillent le sol.	They smear the floor.
Elles	Elles barbouillent	Elles barbouillent leurs jouets.	They smear their toys.