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

Introduction to the verb geindre

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The English translation of the French verb geindre is “to whine” or “to moan.” It is pronounced as “zhend-ruh” in the infinitive form.

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Geindre comes from the Old French word “gaignier,” meaning “to complain” or “to lament.” In every day French, geindre is most often used to describe someone who is whining or complaining in a persistent or annoying manner.

Examples:

Arrête de geindre, tu es toujours en train de te plaindre. (Stop whining, you’re always complaining.)
Les enfants ont passé toute l’après-midi à geindre pour des bonbons. (The children spent the whole afternoon whining for candy.)
Elle a commencé à geindre quand elle n’a pas obtenu ce qu’elle voulait. (She started to whine when she didn’t get what she wanted.)

Geindre – 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 geindre

Pronoun	Conjugation	Short Example	English Translation
Je	geins	Je geins	I whine
Tu	geins	Tu geins	You whine
Il	geint	Il geint	He whines
Elle	geint	Elle geint	She whines
On	geint	On geint	One whines
Nous	geignons	Nous geignons	We whine
Vous	geignez	Vous geignez	You whine
Ils	geignent	Ils geignent	They whine
Elles	geignent	Elles geignent	They whine