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

Introduction to the verb mirer

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The English translation of the French verb “mirer” is “to aim” or “to take aim.” It is pronounced as “mee-reh” in its infinitive form.

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The verb “mirer” comes from the Latin word “mirare,” which means “to look at” or “to admire.” In everyday French, it is most often used to indicate the action of aiming or targeting something, either literally or figuratively.

Examples:

Je me suis miré dans le miroir avant de sortir. (I took a look at myself in the mirror before going out.)
Il a miré avec précision avant de tirer la flèche. (He aimed carefully before shooting the arrow.)
Les étudiants doivent se mirer vers des objectifs plus élevés. (Students should aim for higher goals.)

Mirer – 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 mirer

Pronoun	Conjugation	Short Example	English Translation
je	mire	Je mire le paysage.	I am admiring the landscape.
tu	mires	Tu mires ton reflet.	You are looking at your reflection.
il	mire	Il mire le coucher de soleil.	He is gazing at the sunset.
elle	mire	Elle mire sa bague.	She is admiring her ring.
on	mire	On mire les étoiles.	We are staring at the stars.
nous	mirons	Nous mirons l’horizon.	We are surveying the horizon.
vous	mirez	Vous mirez la carte.	You are looking at the map.
ils	mirent	Ils mirent leur téléphone.	They are checking their phone.
elles	mirent	Elles mirent leur apparence.	They are checking their appearance.