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

Introduction to the verb mouver

Get the present tense conjugation of mouver. 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 mouver is “to move.” It is pronounced “moo-vay.”

Table of Contents

Mouver is derived from the Old French word “mouvoir,” meaning “to move.” It is most commonly used in everyday French to describe physical movement, but it can also be used figuratively to describe changing or affecting something.

Examples:

Je vais mouver le meuble pour laver le sol. (I am going to move the furniture to clean the floor.)
Il a essayé de mouver sa voiture du parking, mais il y avait trop de voitures autour. (He tried to move his car from the parking lot, but there were too many cars around.)
Les actions de cette entreprise ont mouver le marché financier. (The actions of this company moved the financial market.)

Response: The English translation of the French verb mouver is “to move.” The pronunciation of the infinitive form is “moo-vay.” Mouver is derived from the Old French word “mouvoir,” meaning “to move.” It is most commonly used in everyday French to describe physical movement, but can also be used figuratively to describe changing or affecting something. Three examples of its usage are: “Je vais mouver le meuble pour laver le sol” (I am going to move the furniture to clean the floor), “Il a essayé de mouver sa voiture du parking, mais il y avait trop de voitures autour” (He tried to move his car from the parking lot, but there were too many cars around), and “Les actions de cette entreprise ont mouver le marché financier” (The actions of this company moved the financial market).

Mouver – 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 mouver

Pronoun	Conjugation	Short Example	English Translation
je	mouve	Je mouve vers le sud.	I move towards the south.
tu	mouves	Tu mouves le meuble.	You move the furniture.
il	mouve	Il mouve rapidement.	He moves quickly.
elle	mouve	Elle mouve discrètement.	She moves discreetly.
on	mouve	On mouve avec prudence.	We move cautiously.
nous	mouvons	Nous mouvons ensemble.	We move together.
vous	mouvez	Vous mouvez lentement.	You move slowly.
ils	mouvent	Ils mouvent la voiture.	They move the car.
elles	mouvent	Elles mouvent leurs bras.	They move their arms.