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

Introduction to the verb galérer

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The English translation of the French verb “galérer” is “to struggle” or “to have a hard time.” The infinitive form “galérer” is pronounced as [ga-leh-ray].

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The word “galérer” originates from the noun “galère,” which refers to a galley, a type of ship propelled by oars. In everyday French, “galérer” is commonly used to describe a difficult or challenging situation, often related to experiencing hardships, troubles, or obstacles.

Three simple examples of its usage are:

Je galère avec mes devoirs. (I’m struggling with my homework.)
On a galéré pour trouver une place de parking. (We had a hard time finding a parking spot.)
Elle galère pour apprendre à conduire. (She is having a difficult time learning how to drive.)

Please note that these examples provide a general idea of the usage, and the context may vary.

Galérer – 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 galérer

Pronoun	Conjugation	Short Example	English Translation
Je	galère	Je galère avec mes devoirs.	I struggle with my homework.
Tu	galères	Tu galères toujours pour trouver ton chemin.	You always struggle to find your way.
Il	galère	Il galère pour terminer son travail.	He struggles to finish his work.
Elle	galère	Elle galère pour trouver du travail.	She struggles to find a job.
On	galère	On galère avec ce problème.	We struggle with this problem.
Nous	galérons	Nous galérons pour résoudre cette énigme.	We struggle to solve this puzzle.
Vous	galérez	Vous galérez avec les transports en commun.	You struggle with public transportation.
Ils	galèrent	Ils galèrent avec leurs finances.	They struggle with their finances.
Elles	galèrent	Elles galèrent pour prendre une décision.	They struggle to make a decision.