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

Introduction to the verb dévisager

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The English translation of the French verb dévisager is “to stare at” or “to scrutinize.” The infinitive form is pronounced as “day-vee-za-zhay.”

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Dévisager originates from the combination of the prefix “dé-” (indicating intensity or removal) and the verb “visage” (meaning “face”). In everyday French, dévisager is used to describe the act of looking intensely at someone’s face or studying their features, often implying a certain level of scrutiny or discomfort.

Examples:

Ne me dévisage pas comme ça ! – “Don’t stare at me like that!”
Il dévisageait le suspect avec suspicion. – “He was scrutinizing the suspect with suspicion.”
Elle dévisagea son ami d’enfance, essayant de le reconnaître. – “She stared at her childhood friend, trying to recognize him.”

Dévisager – 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 dévisager

Pronoun	Conjugation	Short Example	English Translation
je	dévisage	Je dévisage les passants.	I stare at the passersby.
tu	dévisages	Tu dévisages ton voisin.	You stare at your neighbor.
il	dévisage	Il dévisage sa collègue.	He stares at his colleague.
elle	dévisage	Elle dévisage son professeur.	She stares at her teacher.
on	dévisage	On dévisage les inconnus.	One stares at strangers.
nous	dévisageons	Nous dévisageons nos amis.	We stare at our friends.
vous	dévisagez	Vous dévisagez le serveur.	You stare at the waiter.
ils	dévisagent	Ils dévisagent les animaux.	They stare at the animals.
elles	dévisagent	Elles dévisagent les tableaux.	They stare at the paintings.