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

Introduction to the verb dire

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The English translation of the French verb dire is “to say” or “to tell.” It is pronounced as “deer” in the infinitive form.

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Dire comes from the Latin word “dicere” meaning “to speak” or “to say,” which also gave rise to the English words “dictate” and “dictionary.” In everyday French, dire is used to express communication or the act of conveying information or thoughts to someone.

Examples:

Je dois te dire quelque chose de très important. (I have to tell you something very important.)
Elle m’a dit qu’elle viendrait nous voir demain. (She told me she would come see us tomorrow.)
On m’a dit que c’était un très bon restaurant. (I was told it was a very good restaurant.)

Please note that I am only programmed to provide information and cannot engage in conversation. Is there anything else I can assist you with?

Dire – 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 dire

Pronoun	Conjugation	Short Example	English Translation
je	dis	Je dis bonjour	I say hello
tu	dis	Tu dis la vérité	You tell the truth
il	dit	Il dit au revoir	He says goodbye
elle	dit	Elle dit merci	She says thank you
on	dit	On dit bon appétit	We say bon appétit
nous	disons	Nous disons bonsoir	We say good evening
vous	dites	Vous dites pardon	You say excuse me
ils	disent	Ils disent la vérité	They tell the truth
elles	disent	Elles disent bonjour	They say hello