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

Introduction to the verb bricoler

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The English translation of the French verb “bricoler” is “to tinker” or “to do odd jobs.” The infinitive form “bricoler” is pronounced as “bree-koh-leh.”

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The word “bricoler” comes from the noun “bricolage,” which means “do-it-yourself” or “handiwork.” In everyday French, “bricoler” is commonly used to refer to activities such as repairing, fixing, or improvising. It can also be used metaphorically to describe someone who is resourceful or able to handle various tasks.

Examples:

Je vais bricoler la chaise cassée. (I am going to fix the broken chair.)
Il aime bricoler et réparer les vieux appareils électroniques. (He enjoys tinkering and repairing old electronic devices.)
Nous avons bricolé cette étagère à partir de matériaux recyclés. (We tinkered with this shelf using recycled materials.)

Bricoler – 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 bricoler

Pronoun	Conjugation	Short Example	English Translation
Je	bricole	Je bricole tous les week-ends.	I tinker every weekend.
Tu	bricoles	Tu bricoles avec des outils.	You tinker with tools.
Il	bricole	Il bricole dans son garage.	He tinkers in his garage.
Elle	bricole	Elle bricole des meubles en bois.	She tinkers with wooden furniture.
On	bricole	On bricole ensemble.	We tinker together.
Nous	bricolons	Nous bricolons dans le jardin.	We tinker in the garden.
Vous	bricolez	Vous bricolez souvent ?	Do you tinker often?
Ils	bricolent	Ils bricolent leur voiture.	They tinker with their car.
Elles	bricolent	Elles bricolent des objets déco.	They tinker with decorative objects.