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

Introduction to the verb défraîchir

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The English translation of the French verb défraîchir is “to become worn” or “to become faded.” The infinitive form is pronounced as “day-freh-sheer.”

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Défraîchir comes from the French word “fraîche” which means fresh. It is most commonly used as a transitive verb, meaning it requires a direct object, and is used to describe something that has lost its freshness or newness.

Examples:

La peinture sur les murs commence à se défraîchir. (The paint on the walls is starting to fade.)
Les vêtements qu’elle portait étaient défraîchis et démodés. (The clothes she was wearing were worn and outdated.)
Les fleurs dans le jardin se défraîchissent rapidement en plein soleil. (The flowers in the garden quickly become faded in the full sun.)

Défraîchir – 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 défraîchir

Pronoun	Conjugation	Short Example	English Translation
Je	Je défraîchis	Je défraîchis mes vêtements.	I am fading my clothes.
Tu	Tu défraîchis	Tu défraîchis ta peinture.	You are fading your paint.
Il	Il défraîchit	Il défraîchit son jardin.	He is fading his garden.
Elle	Elle défraîchit	Elle défraîchit sa coiffure.	She is fading her hairstyle.
On	On défraîchit	On défraîchit le drapeau.	We are fading the flag.
Nous	Nous défraîchissons	Nous défraîchissons la maison.	We are fading the house.
Vous	Vous défraîchissez	Vous défraîchissez vos vêtements.	You are fading your clothes.
Ils	Ils défraîchissent	Ils défraîchissent le parc.	They are fading the park.
Elles	Elles défraîchissent	Elles défraîchissent leur maquillage.	They are fading their makeup.