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

Introduction to the verb jeûner

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The English translation of the French verb jeûner is “to fast.” It is pronounced as “zhuh-nay.”

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Jeûner comes from the Latin word “ieiunare,” meaning “to fast.” It is most commonly used in everyday French to refer to abstaining from eating and drinking for a certain period of time, usually for religious or health reasons.

Three examples of its usage are:

Jeûner est une pratique courante pendant le mois du Ramadan. (Fasting is a common practice during the month of Ramadan.)
Nous avons décidé de jeûner pendant 24 heures pour purifier notre corps. (We have decided to fast for 24 hours to purify our bodies.)
Les médecins recommandent souvent de jeûner avant un examen médical. (Doctors often recommend fasting before a medical exam.)

Jeûner – 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 jeûner

Pronoun	Conjugation	Short Example	English Translation
je	jeûne	Je jeûne tous les jours.	I fast every day.
tu	jeûnes	Tu jeûnes aussi ?	Do you fast too?
il	jeûne	Il jeûne pour se purifier.	He fasts to purify himself.
elle	jeûne	Elle jeûne pour des raisons religieuses.	She fasts for religious reasons.
on	jeûne	On jeûne souvent en groupe.	We often fast in groups.
nous	jeûnons	Nous jeûnons ensemble cette semaine.	We are fasting together this week.
vous	jeûnez	Vous jeûnez combien de temps ?	How long do you fast?
ils	jeûnent	Ils jeûnent pour protester.	They are fasting to protest.
elles	jeûnent	Elles jeûnent pour la santé.	They fast for health.