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

Introduction to the verb mendier

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The English translation of the French verb mendier is “to beg.” It is pronounced as “mahn-dyey.”

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Mendier comes from the Latin word “mendicare” meaning “to beg.” In everyday French, it is most often used to describe the act of asking for something, usually money or food, in a desperate or needy manner.

Examples:

Je vois souvent des gens mendier dans la rue. (I often see people begging in the street.)
Les enfants ont appris à mendier auprès des touristes pour de l’argent. (The children learned to beg from tourists for money.)
Il a dû mendier de l’aide auprès de ses amis pour payer son loyer. (He had to beg for help from his friends to pay his rent.)

Mendier – 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 mendier

Pronoun	Conjugation	Short Example	English Translation
Je	Je mendie	Je mendie de l’argent tous les jours.	I beg for money every day.
Tu	Tu mendies	Tu mendies pour des bonbons.	You beg for candy.
Il	Il mendie	Il mendie pour sa nourriture.	He begs for his food.
Elle	Elle mendie	Elle mendie pour les pauvres.	She begs for the poor.
On	On mendie	On mendie souvent dans les rues.	One begs often in the streets.
Nous	Nous mendions	Nous mendions pour notre association caritative.	We beg for our charity organization.
Vous	Vous mendiez	Vous mendiez pour votre église.	You beg for your church.
Ils	Ils mendient	Ils mendient pour leurs enfants.	They beg for their children.
Elles	Elles mendient	Elles mendient pour les animaux abandonnés.	They beg for abandoned animals.