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

Introduction to the verb laquer

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The English translation of the French verb laquer is “to lacquer.” The infinitive form, laquer, is pronounced as “lah-kay.”

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The language origin of laquer can be traced back to the Old French word “lac” which means “lacquer, sealing substance.” In everyday French, laquer is most often used to describe the process of applying a shiny, protective coating to a surface, such as wood or metal.

Here are three simple examples of its usage with their respective English translations:

J’ai l’aquarium laqué en rouge vif. (I have the aquarium coated in bright red.)
Elle adore le mobilier laqué noir dans son salon. (She loves the black lacquered furniture in her living room.)
Nous allons laquer les cadres en bois pour les protéger. (We are going to lacquer the wooden frames to protect them.)

Laquer – 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 laquer

Pronoun	Conjugation	Short Example	English Translation
Je	laque	Je laque mes ongles.	I lacquer my nails.
Tu	laques	Tu laques tes meubles.	You lacquer your furniture.
Il	laque	Il laque sa voiture.	He lacquers his car.
Elle	laque	Elle laque ses cheveux.	She lacquers her hair.
On	laque	On laque les meubles en bois.	We lacquer wooden furniture.
Nous	laquons	Nous laquons la table.	We lacquer the table.
Vous	laquez	Vous laquez les portes.	You (formal/plural) lacquer the doors.
Ils	laquent	Ils laquent leur mobilier.	They (masculine) lacquer their furniture.
Elles	laquent	Elles laquent leurs ongles.	They (feminine) lacquer their nails.