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

Introduction to the verb mastiquer

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The English translation of the French verb mastiquer is “to chew.” The infinitive form of mastiquer is pronounced “mah-stee-kay.”

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Mastiquer comes from the Old French word “mastechier,” which is derived from the Latin “mastichare.” It is most often used in everyday French to describe the act of chewing food.

Examples:

Je dois mastiquer lentement pour bien digérer ma nourriture. (I have to chew slowly to digest my food well.)
Les enfants aiment bien mastiquer des chewing-gums. (Children like to chew gum.)
Ma grand-mère m’a appris à bien mastiquer pour éviter les problèmes de digestion. (My grandmother taught me to chew well to avoid digestion problems.)

Mastiquer – 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 mastiquer

Pronoun	Conjugation	Short Example	English Translation
Je	mastique	Je mastique un chewing-gum.	I am chewing gum.
Tu	mastiques	Tu mastiques lentement.	You are chewing slowly.
Il	mastique	Il mastique son repas.	He is chewing his meal.
Elle	mastique	Elle mastique un morceau de viande.	She is chewing a piece of meat.
On	mastique	On mastique souvent en parlant.	We often chew while talking.
Nous	mastiquons	Nous mastiquons du pain.	We are chewing bread.
Vous	mastiquez	Vous mastiquez des bonbons.	You are chewing candy.
Ils	mastiquent	Ils mastiquent de la gomme.	They are chewing gum.
Elles	mastiquent	Elles mastiquent des légumes.	They are chewing vegetables.