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

Introduction to the verb mâchouiller

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The English translation of the French verb mâchouiller is “to chew or gnaw.” It is pronounced “mah-shwee-yay.”

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The language origin of mâchouiller is derived from the Old French word “machouiller,” meaning “to chew noisily.” It is most often used in everyday French to refer to the action of chewing or gnawing on something, often in a repetitive or noisy manner.

Here are three simple examples of how mâchouiller is used in French:

J’aime bien mâchouiller du chewing-gum quand je travaille. (I like to chew gum while I work.)
Le bébé adore mâchouiller ses jouets en caoutchouc. (The baby loves to gnaw on his rubber toys.)
Tu devrais arrêter de mâchouiller tes ongles, c’est mauvais pour ta santé. (You should stop chewing your nails, it’s bad for your health.)

Mâchouiller – 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 mâchouiller

Pronoun	Conjugation	Short Example	English Translation
je	mâchouille	Je mâchouille un chewing-gum.	I am chewing a gum.
tu	mâchouilles	Tu mâchouilles ton crayon.	You are chewing your pencil.
il	mâchouille	Il mâchouille un morceau de pain.	He is chewing a piece of bread.
elle	mâchouille	Elle mâchouille un bonbon.	She is chewing a candy.
on	mâchouille	On mâchouille un brin d’herbe.	We are chewing on a blade of grass.
nous	mâchouillons	Nous mâchouillons notre repas.	We are chewing our meal.
vous	mâchouillez	Vous mâchouillez votre stylo.	You are chewing your pen.
ils	mâchouillent	Ils mâchouillent du chewing-gum.	They are chewing gum.
elles	mâchouillent	Elles mâchouillent des bonbons.	They are chewing candies.