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

Introduction to the verb bruler

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The English translation of the French verb “bruler” is “to burn.” The infinitive form of “bruler” is pronounced as “broo-lay.”

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The word “bruler” comes from the Latin word “brenno” which means “to burn.” In everyday French, “bruler” is most often used to refer to the act of burning or setting something on fire, but it can also be used metaphorically to express intense heat or passion.

Here are three simple examples of the usage of “bruler” in everyday French with their respective English translations:

Le feu brule dans la cheminée. (The fire is burning in the fireplace.)
Elle a brulé son passeport par accident. (She accidentally burned her passport.)
Cette histoire d’amour brulante a duré toute la nuit. (This passionate love affair burned all night long.)

(Note: The English translations provided here are literal; the context may require adapting the translations for better comprehension.)

Bruler – 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 bruler

Pronoun	Conjugation	Short Example	English Translation
Je	je brûle	Je brûle du bois.	I burn some wood.
Tu	tu brûles	Tu brûles les feuilles.	You burn the leaves.
Il	il brûle	Il brûle la maison.	He burns the house.
Elle	elle brûle	Elle brûle des calories.	She burns calories.
On	on brûle	On brûle des branches.	We burn branches.
Nous	nous brûlons	Nous brûlons du papier.	We burn some paper.
Vous	vous brûlez	Vous brûlez de l’encens.	You burn incense.
Ils	ils brûlent	Ils brûlent les déchets.	They burn the waste.
Elles	elles brûlent	Elles brûlent des bougies.	They burn candles.