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

Introduction to the verb maquiller

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The English translation of the French verb maquiller is “to apply makeup.” The infinitive form is pronounced “mah-kee-yay.”

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The word maquiller comes from the Old French word “maquiller” which means “to make up, to paint, to disguise.” It is most commonly used in everyday French to refer to the act of putting on makeup or applying cosmetics.

Examples:

Je vais me maquiller avant la soirée. (I will put on makeup before the party.)
Elle aime se maquiller avec des couleurs vives. (She likes to apply bright-colored makeup.)
Il faut bien se démaquiller avant de se coucher. (You should properly remove your makeup before going to bed.)

Maquiller – 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 maquiller

Pronoun	Conjugation	Short Example	English Translation
je	me maquille	Je me maquille tous les jours.	I put makeup on every day.
tu	te maquilles	Pourquoi tu te maquilles autant ?	Why do you put on so much makeup?
il	se maquille	Il se maquille avant de sortir.	He puts on makeup before going out.
elle	se maquille	Elle se maquille toujours avant un rendez-vous.	She always puts on makeup before a date.
on	se maquille	On se maquille pour la soirée.	We put on makeup for the party.
nous	nous maquillons	Nous nous maquillons ensemble.	We put on makeup together.
vous	vous maquillez	Vous vous maquillez souvent ?	Do you put on makeup often?
ils	se maquillent	Ils se maquillent avant de monter sur scène.	They put on makeup before going on stage.
elles	se maquillent	Elles se maquillent avec soin.	They put on makeup carefully.