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

Introduction to the verb justifier

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The English translation of the French verb justifier is “to justify.” It is pronounced “zhoos-tee-fee-ay” in its infinitive form.

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The word justifier comes from the Latin word “justificare” which means “to make right” or “to declare righteous.” It is most often used in everyday French to express the act of providing a reason or explanation for something.

Examples of its usage in everyday French include:

Je dois justifier mon absence auprès de mon patron. (I have to justify my absence to my boss.)
Il est difficile de justifier une telle dépense devant le conseil d’administration. (It is difficult to justify such an expense in front of the board of directors.)
Le suspect a tenté de justifier son acte en prétendant être en état de légitime défense. (The suspect tried to justify his actions by claiming self-defense.)

Translation:

I have to justify my absence to my boss.
It is difficult to justify such an expense in front of the board of directors.
The suspect tried to justify his actions by claiming self-defense.

Justifier – 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 justifier

Pronoun	Conjugation	Short Example	English Translation
je	justifie	Je justifie ma décision.	I justify my decision.
tu	justifies	Tu justifies tes actions.	You justify your actions.
il	justifie	Il justifie ses paroles.	He justifies his words.
elle	justifie	Elle justifie son absence.	She justifies her absence.
on	justifie	On justifie cette mesure.	We justify this measure.
nous	justifions	Nous justifions notre choix.	We justify our choice.
vous	justifiez	Vous justifiez votre absence.	You justify your absence.
ils	justifient	Ils justifient leurs actes.	They justify their actions.
elles	justifient	Elles justifient leur décision.	They justify their decision.