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

Introduction to the verb baver

Get the present tense conjugation of baver. 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 “baver” is “to drool”. The infinitive form is pronounced as “bah-veh”.

Table of Contents

The word “baver” originated from the Old French word “bave” which means “saliva”. In everyday French, “baver” is primarily used to refer to the act of drooling or excessive salivation.

Examples:

Arrête de baver sur ton oreiller ! (Stop drooling on your pillow!)
Le bébé bave quand il fait ses dents. (The baby drools when teething.)
Elle bave d’envie en regardant le gâteau. (She drools with desire while looking at the cake.)

Baver – 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 baver

Pronoun	Conjugation	Short Example	English Translation
Je	bave	Je bave devant cette vitrine.	I drool in front of this shop window.
Tu	baves	Tu baves quand tu dors.	You drool when you sleep.
Il	bave	Il bave en regardant la nourriture.	He drools while looking at food.
Elle	bave	Elle bave pendant son sommeil.	She drools during her sleep.
On	bave	On bave devant ce délicieux gâteau.	One drools in front of this delicious cake.
Nous	bavons	Nous bavons en regardant ce film.	We drool while watching this movie.
Vous	bavez	Vous bavez d’envie.	You drool with desire.
Ils	bavent	Ils bavent en pensant à la nourriture.	They drool while thinking about food.
Elles	bavent	Elles bavent en voyant ces bonbons.	They drool when they see these candies.