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

Introduction to the verb définir

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The English translation of the French verb définir is “to define.” It is pronounced as “day-fee-neer” in its infinitive form.

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Définir comes from the Latin word “definire,” meaning “to limit” or “to determine.” In everyday French, it is mostly used in the context of defining or giving a precise meaning to something.

Three simple examples of its usage are:

Je peux définir le mot “amour” comme un sentiment fort de connexion et d’affection envers quelqu’un. (I can define the word “love” as a strong feeling of connection and affection towards someone.)
La loi française définit l’âge minimum pour consommer de l’alcool à 18 ans. (French law defines the minimum age for drinking alcohol as 18 years old.)
Il est important de définir les objectifs de votre projet avant de commencer à travailler dessus. (It is important to define the objectives of your project before starting to work on it.)

Définir – 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 définir

Pronoun	Conjugation	Short Example	English Translation
je	définis	Je définis mon rôle dans l’équipe.	I define my role in the team.
tu	définis	Tu définis les règles du jeu.	You define the rules of the game.
il	définit	Il définit la stratégie à suivre.	He defines the strategy to follow.
elle	définit	Elle définit ses priorités pour la journée.	She defines her priorities for the day.
on	définit	On définit souvent le succès en termes de richesse.	People often define success in terms of wealth.
nous	définissons	Nous définissons ensemble notre objectif.	We define our goal together.
vous	définissez	Vous définissez clairement vos attentes.	You clearly define your expectations.
ils	définissent	Ils définissent leur propre manière de travailler.	They define their own way of working.
elles	définissent	Elles définissent leur identité de groupe.	They define their group identity.