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

Introduction to the verb étouffer

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The English translation of the French verb étouffer is “to suffocate” or “to stifle.” The infinitive form is pronounced as eh-too-feh.

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The word étouffer comes from the Old French term “estouffer,” which means “to suffocate” or “to smother.” It is most often used in everyday French to describe the act of preventing someone from breathing or to describe a feeling of being suffocated or stifled.

Examples:

Il faut enlever le sac en plastique pour éviter d’étouffer. (You have to remove the plastic bag to avoid suffocating.)
Dans cette relation, je me sens étouffé par son contrôle constant. (In this relationship, I feel stifled by her constant control.)
La fumée dense a commencé à étouffer les passagers dans le couloir. (The thick smoke started to suffocate the passengers in the hallway.)

Étouffer – 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 étouffer

Pronoun	Conjugation	Short Example	English Translation
je	étouffe	J’étouffe sous cette couverture.	I am suffocating under this blanket.
tu	étouffes	Tu étouffes le feu avec cette couverture.	You are smothering the fire with this blanket.
il	étouffe	Il étouffe ses émotions.	He is stifling his emotions.
elle	étouffe	Elle étouffe un bâillement.	She is suppressing a yawn.
on	étouffe	On étouffe facilement dans cette pièce.	One can easily suffocate in this room.
nous	étouffons	Nous étouffons nos rires.	We are stifling our laughter.
vous	étouffez	Vous étouffez la conversation avec vos remarques.	You are suffocating the conversation with your remarks.
ils	étouffent	Ils étouffent leurs cris pour ne pas se faire repérer.	They are muffling their screams to avoid being caught.
elles	étouffent	Elles étouffent leur curiosité et ne posent pas de questions.	They are stifling their curiosity and not asking any questions.