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

Introduction to the verb gésir

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The English translation of the French verb gésir is “to lie” or “to be lying down.” It is pronounced as “zhay-zeer” in its infinitive form.

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Gésir comes from the Latin word “iacēre,” meaning “to lie down.” It is most often used in everyday French to describe someone or something that is lying down or reclining.

Examples:

Mon chat préfère gésir au soleil toute la journée. (My cat prefers to lie in the sun all day.)
Les fleurs gisent sur l’herbe fraîche après la pluie. (The flowers are lying on the fresh grass after the rain.)
Le corps du soldat gisait sur le champ de bataille. (The soldier’s body lay on the battlefield.)

Gésir – 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 gésir

Pronoun	Conjugation	Short Example	English Translation
Je	gis	Je gis sur le canapé.	I lie on the couch.
Tu	gis	Tu gis sur le lit.	You lie on the bed.
Il	gît	Il gît sur le sol.	He lies on the floor.
Elle	gît	Elle gît dans son lit.	She lies in her bed.
On	gît	On gît sous les étoiles.	One lies under the stars.
Nous	gisons	Nous gisons dans l’herbe.	We lie in the grass.
Vous	gisez	Vous gisez sur la plage.	You lie on the beach.
Ils	gisent	Ils gisent sous les décombres.	They lie under the rubble.
Elles	gisent	Elles gisent sur les chaises longues.	They lie on the lounge chairs.