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

Introduction to the verb loufer

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The English translation of the French verb loufer is “to wander aimlessly” or “to goof off.” It is pronounced as “loo-fay.”

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The origin of the word loufer is not clear, but it is believed to come from the Old French word “louf,” meaning “loose” or “free.” In everyday French, it is most often used in a colloquial sense to describe someone who is wandering around without a specific purpose or not taking things seriously.

Examples:

J’aime bien loufer dans les rues de Paris le dimanche après-midi. (I like to wander around the streets of Paris on Sunday afternoons.)
Arrête de loufer et mets-toi au travail ! (Stop goofing off and get to work!)
Les enfants ont loufé toute la journée au lieu de faire leurs devoirs. (The kids spent the whole day goofing off instead of doing their homework.)

Loufer – 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 loufer

Pronoun	Conjugation	Short Example	English Translation
je	loute	Je loute souvent.	I often goof off.
tu	loufes	Tu loufes trop.	You goof off too much.
il	loufe	Il loufe moins.	He goofs off less.
elle	loufe	Elle loufe tout le temps.	She goofs off all the time.
on	loufe	On loufe avec nos amis.	We goof off with our friends.
nous	loufons	Nous loufons en classe.	We goof off in class.
vous	loufez	Vous loufez ensemble.	You all goof off together.
ils	loufent	Ils loufent pendant les cours.	They goof off during class.
elles	loufent	Elles loufent après l’école.	They goof off after school.