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

Introduction to the verb cloîtrer

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The English translation of the French verb “cloîtrer” is “to cloister” or “to seclude.” The infinitive form, “cloîtrer,” is pronounced as klow-ee-tray.

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The verb “cloîtrer” comes from the Old French word “cloistre” and ultimately from the Latin word “claustrum,” meaning “enclosure” or “cloister.” In everyday French, “cloîtrer” is most often used figuratively to describe the act of isolating oneself or someone else from the outside world.

Examples:

Il a décidé de se cloîtrer chez lui pendant une semaine. (He decided to seclude himself at home for a week.)
La pandémie a obligé les habitants à se cloîtrer dans leurs maisons. (The pandemic forced the residents to cloister in their houses.)
Les moines se cloîtrent dans leur monastère pour méditer. (The monks cloister themselves in their monastery to meditate.)

Cloîtrer – 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 cloîtrer

Pronoun	Conjugation	Short Example	English Translation
Je	cloître	Je cloître dans ma chambre.	I cloister myself in my room.
Tu	cloîtres	Tu cloîtres tes émotions.	You cloister your emotions.
Il	cloître	Il cloître son jardin.	He cloisters his garden.
Elle	cloître	Elle cloître son esprit.	She cloisters her mind.
On	cloître	On cloître les animaux dans une réserve.	One cloisters animals in a reserve.
Nous	cloîtrons	Nous cloîtrons nos soucis.	We cloister our worries.
Vous	cloîtrez	Vous cloîtrez vos secrets.	You cloister your secrets.
Ils	cloîtrent	Ils cloîtrent les moines dans le monastère.	They cloister the monks in the monastery.
Elles	cloîtrent	Elles cloîtrent les fleurs dans le jardin.	They cloister the flowers in the garden.