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

Introduction to the verb chicoter

Get the present tense conjugation of chicoter. 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!

to chicot: to tease or to bug
Pronunciation: shee-ko-tey

Table of Contents

Origin: The word “chicoter” comes from the Middle French word “chicotter” which means “to whip.” It is derived from the noun “chicot” which refers to a piece of wood used to whip horses.

Usage examples:

Arrête de me chicoter, ça devient agaçant ! (Stop teasing me, it’s getting annoying!)
Les enfants ont tendance à chicoter leurs camarades de classe. (Children tend to bug their classmates.)
Elle chicote toujours son frère aîné. (She always teases her older brother.)

English translations:

Stop teasing me, it’s becoming annoying!
Children tend to bug their classmates.
She always teases her older brother.

Chicoter – 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 chicoter

Pronoun	Conjugation	Short Example	English Translation
je	chicote	Je chicote	I whip
tu	chicotes	Tu chicotes	You whip
il	chicote	Il chicote	He whips
elle	chicote	Elle chicote	She whips
on	chicote	On chicote	One/We whip
nous	chicotons	Nous chicotons	We whip
vous	chicotez	Vous chicotez	You whip
ils	chicotent	Ils chicotent	They whip (masculine)
elles	chicotent	Elles chicotent	They whip (feminine)