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

Introduction to the verb colporter

Get the present tense conjugation of colporter. 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 “colporter” is “to peddle” or “to hawk”. The infinitive form, “colporter”, is pronounced as kohl-por-tey.

Table of Contents

The word “colporter” originated from the Latin word “colportare” which means “to carry”. In everyday French, it is commonly used to describe the act of selling or distributing goods, often by traveling from place to place. It can also refer to spreading news or gossip.

Examples of its usage:

Il colporte des livres dans les rues de Paris.
(He peddles books in the streets of Paris.)
Elle aime colporter des ragots sur ses voisins.
(She enjoys spreading gossip about her neighbors.)
Les vendeurs colportent leurs marchandises sur les marchés.
(The sellers hawk their goods in the markets.)

Note: The verb “colporter” is not very commonly used in modern everyday French.

Colporter – 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 colporter

Pronoun	Conjugation	Short Example	English Translation
je	colporte	Je colporte des livres anciens.	I peddle old books.
tu	colportes	Tu colportes des rumeurs.	You spread rumors.
il	colporte	Il colporte des marchandises.	He peddles goods.
elle	colporte	Elle colporte des informations.	She spreads information.
on	colporte	On colporte des histoires.	One spreads stories.
nous	colportons	Nous colportons des produits artisanaux.	We peddle handmade products.
vous	colportez	Vous colportez des idées fausses.	You spread false ideas.
ils	colportent	Ils colportent des contrefaçons.	They peddle counterfeits.
elles	colportent	Elles colportent des potins.	They spread gossip.