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

Introduction to the verb fricoter

Get the present tense conjugation of fricoter. 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 “fricoter” is “to cook up” or “to dabble in.” The pronunciation of the infinitive form “fricoter” is [fʁikɔte].

Table of Contents

Fricoter originates from the colloquial French word “fricote,” which means “a small meal” or “a snack.” In everyday French, “fricoter” is commonly used to describe cooking or preparing food in a casual or improvised manner. It can also be used figuratively to mean “to engage in dubious activities.”

Examples:

Je vais fricoter un petit plat ce soir. (I’m going to cook up a small dish tonight.)
Il aime fricoter avec toutes sortes d’épices. (He likes to dabble in all kinds of spices.)
Arrête de fricoter avec les mauvaises fréquentations. (Stop getting involved with shady people.)

Fricoter – 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 fricoter

Pronoun	Conjugation	Short Example	English Translation
Je	fricote	Je fricote avec mes amis.	I fricot with my friends.
Tu	fricotes	Tu fricotes souvent.	You fricot often.
Il	fricote	Il fricote avec sa petite amie.	He fricots with his girlfriend.
Elle	fricote	Elle fricote avec son collègue.	She fricots with her colleague.
On	fricote	On fricote à la cafétéria.	We fricot at the cafeteria.
Nous	fricotons	Nous fricotons ensemble.	We fricot together.
Vous	fricotez	Vous fricotez avec eux.	You fricot with them.
Ils	fricotent	Ils fricotent dans la cuisine.	They fricot in the kitchen.
Elles	fricotent	Elles fricotent à la fête.	They fricot at the party.