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

Introduction to the verb mitonner

Get the present tense conjugation of mitonner. Includes a FREE downloadable reference sheet (no email required). Alternatively if you have a lot of text to check then use our free French Grammar Checker – no registration required!

The English translation of the French verb mitonner is “to cook slowly or simmer”. It is pronounced “mee-toh-nay”. The infinitive form of mitonner is “mitonner”.

Table of Contents

Mitonner comes from the French word “miton” which means “morsel” or “small piece of food”. It is most often used in everyday French to refer to the act of cooking something slowly over low heat, typically in a sauce or stew.

Examples:

Je vais mitonner une soupe aux légumes pour le dîner. (I am going to simmer a vegetable soup for dinner.)
La recette demande de mitonner la viande dans une marinade pendant plusieurs heures. (The recipe calls for simmering the meat in a marinade for several hours.)
Il faut mitonner la sauce à feu doux pour qu’elle épaississe. (You have to cook the sauce slowly over low heat for it to thicken.)

Mitonner – 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 mitonner

Pronoun	Conjugation	Short Example	English Translation
je	mitonne	Je mitonne un bon repas.	I am simmering a good meal.
tu	mitonnes	Tu mitonnes des plats délicieux.	You are simmering delicious dishes.
il	mitonne	Il mitonne une sauce savoureuse.	He is simmering a tasty sauce.
elle	mitonne	Elle mitonne un ragoût succulent.	She is simmering a succulent stew.
on	mitonne	On mitonne des plats traditionnels.	We are simmering traditional dishes.
nous	mitonnons	Nous mitonnons un pot-au-feu.	We are simmering a pot-au-feu.
vous	mitonnez	Vous mitonnez un festin.	You are simmering a feast.
ils	mitonnent	Ils mitonnent des spécialités régionales.	They are simmering regional specialties.
elles	mitonnent	Elles mitonnent des soupes réconfortantes.	They are simmering comforting soups.