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

Introduction to the verb geler

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The English translation of the French verb “geler” is “to freeze”. The infinitive form “geler” is pronounced as “zhə-lay”.

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The word “geler” originated from the Latin word “gelāre”, meaning “to freeze” or “to make cold”. In everyday French, “geler” is most often used to describe the action of freezing, both in a literal sense (such as freezing liquids or food) and figuratively (such as being extremely cold).

Examples:

Il fait très froid, l’eau dans le tuyau a gelé. (It’s very cold, the water in the pipe has frozen.)
Je vais mettre les glaçons dans le congélateur pour les faire geler. (I’m going to put the ice cubes in the freezer to make them freeze.)
Attention, le verglas peut faire geler les routes, soyez prudents. (Be careful, black ice can freeze the roads, be cautious.)

Note: The translations provided are just one possible translation of each sentence.

Geler – 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 geler

Pronoun	Conjugation	Short Example	English Translation
Je	je gèle	Je gèle facilement en hiver.	I easily freeze in winter.
Tu	tu gèles	Tu gèles toujours les légumes.	You always freeze the vegetables.
Il	il gèle	Il gèle dehors aujourd’hui.	He is freezing outside today.
Elle	elle gèle	Elle gèle lorsqu’elle est dehors.	She freezes when she is outside.
On	on gèle	On gèle dans cette pièce.	We’re freezing in this room.
Nous	nous gelons	Nous gelons tous les deux.	We both are freezing.
Vous	vous gelez	Vous gelez vos pieds dans la neige.	You freeze your feet in the snow.
Ils	ils gèlent	Ils gèlent les fruits pour l’hiver.	They freeze the fruits for winter.
Elles	elles gèlent	Elles gèlent leurs mains froides.	They (feminine) freeze their cold hands.