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

Introduction to the verb cartonner

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The English translation of the French verb “cartonner” is “to be a hit” or “to be successful.” The infinitive form “cartonner” is pronounced as “kar-toh-neh.”

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The term “cartonner” originates from the noun “carton,” which means “cardboard.” In everyday French, “cartonner” is often used informally to describe something that is very successful, popular, or that has a strong impact. It can refer to various contexts such as movies, songs, performances, events, or even personal achievements.

Examples of usage:

Le film a cartonné au box-office. (The movie was a hit at the box office.)
Sa chanson cartonne en ce moment. (His/her song is currently a big success.)
Les joueurs ont cartonné lors du match. (The players were phenomenal during the game.)

Note: The verb “cartonner” can also mean “to put in a cardboard box” in a literal sense, but its colloquial usage as described above is more common.

Cartonner – 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 cartonner

Pronoun	Conjugation	Short Example	English Translation
je	cartonne	Je cartonne en maths.	I excel in math.
tu	cartonnes	Tu cartonnes au travail.	You excel at work.
il	cartonne	Il cartonne en musique.	He excels in music.
elle	cartonne	Elle cartonne en danse.	She excels in dance.
on	cartonne	On cartonne au jeu.	We excel at the game.
nous	cartonnons	Nous cartonnons en équipe.	We excel as a team.
vous	cartonnez	Vous cartonnez en anglais.	You excel in English.
ils	cartonnent	Ils cartonnent en sport.	They excel in sports.
elles	cartonnent	Elles cartonnent en art.	They excel in art.