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

Introduction to the verb lessiver

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The English translation of the French verb lessiver is “to wash out/to clean with soap”. The infinitive form of lessiver is pronounced “leh-see-vay”.

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The word lessiver comes from the Latin “lavare” meaning “to wash”. In everyday French, it is commonly used to describe the action of washing or cleaning something with soap or detergent.

Three simple examples of its usage are:

Je vais lessiver les vêtements ce soir. (I am going to wash the clothes tonight.)
Il faut lessiver les murs avant de les peindre. (You need to wash the walls before painting them.)
N’oublie pas de lessiver les légumes avant de les cuisiner. (Don’t forget to wash the vegetables before cooking them.)

Lessiver – 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 lessiver

Pronoun	Conjugation	Short Example	English Translation
je	lessive	Je lessive mes vêtements.	I wash my clothes.
tu	lessives	Tu lessives la vaisselle.	You wash the dishes.
il	lessive	Il lessive le sol.	He washes the floor.
elle	lessive	Elle lessive son linge.	She washes her clothes.
on	lessive	On lessive tous les jours.	We wash every day.
nous	lavons	Nous lavons la voiture.	We wash the car.
vous	lavez	Vous lavez les mains avant de manger.	You wash your hands before eating.
ils	lavent	Ils lavent le linge ensemble.	They wash the clothes together.
elles	lavent	Elles lavent les légumes pour le dîner.	They wash the vegetables for dinner.