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

Introduction to the verb mâcher

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The English translation of the French verb mâcher is “to chew.” It is pronounced as “mah-shay.”

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The word mâcher originates from the Old French word “maschier” which comes from the Latin word “masticare” meaning “to chew.” In everyday French, mâcher is commonly used to refer to the action of chewing food.

Examples:

Je dois bien mâcher ma nourriture pour éviter les problèmes de digestion. (I have to chew my food well to avoid digestion problems.)
Les bébés ont souvent du mal à mâcher des aliments solides. (Babies often struggle to chew solid foods.)
Il est recommandé de mâcher du chewing-gum sans sucre pour garder une bonne hygiène bucco-dentaire. (It is recommended to chew sugar-free gum to maintain good oral hygiene.)

Note: Please note that the translations provided are not literal, as they may vary depending on the context.

Mâcher – 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 mâcher

Pronoun	Conjugation	Short Example	English Translation
Je	Je mâche	Je mâche du chewing-gum.	I chew gum.
Tu	Tu mâches	Tu mâches lentement.	You chew slowly.
Il	Il mâche	Il mâche un morceau de viande.	He chews a piece of meat.
Elle	Elle mâche	Elle mâche un bonbon.	She chews a candy.
On	On mâche	On mâche souvent de la gomme.	We often chew gum.
Nous	Nous mâchons	Nous mâchons du pain.	We chew bread.
Vous	Vous mâchez	Vous mâchez des fruits.	You chew fruits.
Ils	Ils mâchent	Ils mâchent du chewing-gum ensemble.	They chew gum together.
Elles	Elles mâchent	Elles mâchent des légumes.	They chew vegetables.