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

Introduction to the verb dégrouiller

Get the present tense conjugation of dégrouiller. 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 “dégrouiller” is “to get moving” or “to loosen up.” The infinitive form is pronounced as “day-groo-yay.”

Table of Contents

The word “dégrouiller” originates from the combination of the prefix “dé-” (indicating removal or reversal) and “grouiller” (meaning to move or bustle). It is an informal and colloquial verb commonly used in everyday French to express the idea of getting something started, finding a solution, or getting things going.

Examples of usage:

Ça fait une heure qu’on attend, il faudrait se dégrouiller ! (We’ve been waiting for an hour, we need to get moving!)
Il faut te dégrouiller si tu veux finir ce projet à temps. (You need to loosen up if you want to finish this project on time.)
Dépêchez-vous de vous dégrouiller, le train part dans cinq minutes ! (Hurry up and get moving, the train is leaving in five minutes!)

Note: The above translations are not word-for-word, but capture the meaning and context of the examples.

Dégrouiller – 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 dégrouiller

Pronoun	Conjugation	Short Example	English Translation
Je	dégrouille	Je me dégrouille pour finir mes devoirs.	I get moving to finish my homework.
Tu	dégrouilles	Tu te dégrouilles en cuisine.	You get moving in the kitchen.
Il	dégrouille	Il se dégrouille pour trouver un emploi.	He gets moving to find a job.
Elle	dégrouille	Elle se dégrouille en bricolage.	She gets moving in DIY.
On	dégrouille	On se dégrouille pour être à l’heure.	We get moving to be on time.
Nous	dégrouillons	Nous nous débrouillons pour organiser la fête.	We get moving to organize the party.
Vous	dégrouillez	Vous vous débrouillez pour résoudre le problème.	You (plural) get moving to solve the problem.
Ils	dégrouillent	Ils se débrouillent pour gérer leurs finances.	They get moving to manage their finances.
Elles	dégrouillent	Elles se débrouillent pour trouver une solution.	They (feminine) get moving to find a solution.