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

Introduction to the verb japper

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The English translation of the French verb japper is “to bark” and it is pronounced as “jah-peh.”

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The origin of japper can be traced back to the Old French word “gapir,” which had a similar meaning of barking. In everyday French, japper is most often used to describe the sound made by dogs.

Three simple examples of japper in everyday French are:

Mon chien adore japper après les écureuils dans le jardin. (My dog loves to bark at the squirrels in the garden.)
Les chiens du voisinage jappent toute la nuit et m’empêchent de dormir. (The dogs in the neighborhood bark all night and keep me from sleeping.)
Quand il a peur, mon chien se met à japper très fort. (When he’s scared, my dog starts barking very loudly.)

Japper – 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 japper

Pronoun	Conjugation	Short Example	English Translation
je	jappe	Je jappe souvent.	I often bark.
tu	jappes	Tu jappes fort.	You bark loudly.
il	jappe	Il jappe la nuit.	He barks at night.
elle	jappe	Elle jappe après les chats.	She barks at the cats.
on	jappe	On jappe pour jouer.	We bark to play.
nous	japons	Nous japons ensemble.	We bark together.
vous	jappez	Vous jappez parfois.	You bark sometimes.
ils	jappent	Ils jappent sans arrêt.	They bark non-stop.
elles	jappent	Elles jappent joyeusement.	They bark happily.