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

Introduction to the verb brûler

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The English translation of the French verb brûler is “to burn.” The infinitive form “brûler” is pronounced as [bʀy.le].

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The word “brûler” comes from the Latin word “urere,” meaning “to burn.” In everyday French, it is most often used to describe the act of burning something, whether it be a physical object or a sensation.

Examples:

Je vais brûler les feuilles mortes dans le jardin. (I am going to burn the dead leaves in the garden.)
Cette bougie brûle très lentement. (This candle burns very slowly.)
Le soleil brûle ma peau. (The sun is burning my skin.)

Brûler – 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 brûler

Pronoun	Conjugation	Short Example	English Translation
je	je brûle	Je brûle du bois dans la cheminée.	I burn wood in the fireplace.
tu	tu brûles	Tu brûles tes vieux papiers.	You burn your old papers.
il	il brûle	Il brûle un feu de camp.	He burns a campfire.
elle	elle brûle	Elle brûle des calories en faisant du sport.	She burns calories by exercising.
on	on brûle	On brûle des bougies pour créer une ambiance chaleureuse.	One burns candles to create a warm atmosphere.
nous	nous brûlons	Nous brûlons nos déchets dans le jardin.	We burn our waste in the garden.
vous	vous brûlez	Vous brûlez des calories en faisant du vélo.	You burn calories by cycling.
ils	ils brûlent	Ils brûlent des bonbons dans le feu de camp.	They burn candies in the campfire.
elles	elles brûlent	Elles brûlent des branches d’arbres pour se réchauffer.	They burn tree branches to keep warm.