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

Introduction to the verb côtoyer

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The English translation of the French verb “côtoyer” is “to rub shoulders with” or “to be around.” The infinitive form of “côtoyer” is pronounced as “koh-twa-yay.”

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The word “côtoyer” comes from the Old French word “costoier” which means “to be near” or “to be beside.” It is derived from the Latin word “costa” which means “side” or “rib.” In everyday French, “côtoyer” is most often used to express the idea of being in close proximity to someone or something, or to describe the act of being frequently in contact or interacting with others.

Examples:

Je côtoie mes collègues tous les jours au travail.
(I rub shoulders with my colleagues every day at work.)
En vivant dans cette ville, je côtoie différentes cultures.
(By living in this city, I am exposed to different cultures.)
Les célébrités côtoient souvent les médias.
(Celebrities often mingle with the media.)

Côtoyer – 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 côtoyer

Pronoun	Conjugation	Short Example	English Translation
Je	côtoie	Je côtoie	I rub shoulders with
Tu	côtoies	Tu côtoies	You rub shoulders with
Il	côtoie	Il côtoie	He rubs shoulders with
Elle	côtoie	Elle côtoie	She rubs shoulders with
On	côtoie	On côtoie	One rubs shoulders with
Nous	côtoyons	Nous côtoyons	We rub shoulders with
Vous	côtoyez	Vous côtoyez	You rub shoulders with
Ils	côtoient	Ils côtoient	They rub shoulders with (masculine)
Elles	côtoient	Elles côtoient	They rub shoulders with (feminine)