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

Introduction to the verb décoiffer

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The English translation of the French verb “décoiffer” is “to dishevel” or “to mess up” in English. The infinitive form “décoiffer” is pronounced as [de-kwa-fey].

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The word “décoiffer” comes from the French prefix “dé-” meaning “un-” or “dis-” and “coiffer” meaning “to style or do someone’s hair.” It is most often used in everyday French to describe the action of disheveling or messing up someone’s hair, but it can also be used metaphorically to mean unsettling or disturbing someone.

Examples of usage:

Tu m’as décoiffé avec cette nouvelle, je ne m’y attendais pas.
(You’ve disheveled me with this news, I wasn’t expecting it.)
Le vent fort a décoiffé mes cheveux en sortant de la voiture.
(The strong wind messed up my hair when I got out of the car.)
Les enfants ont couru partout et ont décoiffé tous les coussins du salon.
(The children ran around and messed up all the cushions in the living room.)

Décoiffer – 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 décoiffer

Pronoun	Conjugation	Short Example	English Translation
Je	décoiffe	Je décoiffe mon chapeau.	I take off my hat.
Tu	décoiffes	Tu décoiffes ta sœur.	You mess up your sister’s hair.
Il	décoiffe	Il décoiffe son ami.	He messes up his friend’s hair.
Elle	décoiffe	Elle décoiffe sa copine.	She messes up her friend’s hair.
On	décoiffe	On décoiffe les poupées.	We mess up the dolls’ hair.
Nous	décoiffons	Nous décoiffons nos cheveux.	We mess up our hair.
Vous	décoiffez	Vous décoiffez vos voisins.	You mess up your neighbors’ hair.
Ils	décoiffent	Ils décoiffent leurs enfants.	They mess up their children’s hair.
Elles	décoiffent	Elles décoiffent leurs chiens.	They mess up their dogs’ hair.