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

Introduction to the verb chiner

Get the present tense conjugation of chiner. 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!

The English translation of the French verb “chiner” is “to go antiquing” or “to hunt for antiques.” The infinitive form of “chiner” is pronounced as “shee-nay.”

Table of Contents

The word “chiner” originates from the noun “chine,” meaning “swelling” or “bump.” It evolved to refer to the action of searching for valuable items or hidden treasures. In everyday French, “chiner” is commonly used to describe the act of visiting flea markets, garage sales, or second-hand shops in search of antique or valuable items.

Examples of usage:

Je vais chiner ce week-end pour trouver de vieux meubles.
(I’m going antiquing this weekend to find some old furniture.)
Nous aimons chiner et découvrir des objets rares dans les brocantes.
(We love hunting for antiques and discovering rare items at flea markets.)
Chinez bien et vous pourriez trouver des trésors cachés.
(Go antiquing diligently, and you might find hidden treasures.)

Chiner – 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 chiner

Pronoun	Conjugation	Short Example	English Translation
je	chine	Je chine des meubles anciens.	I go flea market shopping for antique furniture.
tu	chines	Tu chines des objets de collection.	You go flea market shopping for collectibles.
il	chine	Il chine des livres rares.	He goes flea market shopping for rare books.
elle	chine	Elle chine des vêtements vintage.	She goes flea market shopping for vintage clothes.
on	chine	On chine des vinyles.	We go flea market shopping for vinyl records.
nous	chinons	Nous chinons des bibelots.	We go flea market shopping for knick-knacks.
vous	chinez	Vous chinez des tableaux.	You go flea market shopping for paintings.
ils	chinent	Ils chinent des antiquités.	They go flea market shopping for antiques.
elles	chinent	Elles chinent des bijoux.	They go flea market shopping for jewelry.