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

Introduction to the verb nager

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The English translation of the French verb nager is “to swim.” It is pronounced “na-zhay.”

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Nager is derived from the Latin word “nage” meaning “to swim.” It is most often used in everyday French to describe the action of swimming in water, whether in a pool, lake, or ocean.

Examples:

Je nage tous les matins pour rester en forme. (I swim every morning to stay in shape.)
Nous aimons nager dans la mer pendant les vacances d’été. (We love to swim in the ocean during summer vacation.)
Il faut savoir nager pour aller à la plage. (You have to know how to swim to go to the beach.)

Nager – 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 nager

Pronoun	Conjugation	Short Example	English Translation
je	nage	Je nage dans la piscine.	I swim in the pool.
tu	nages	Tu nages très bien.	You swim very well.
il	nage	Il nage tous les jours.	He swims every day.
elle	nage	Elle nage comme un poisson.	She swims like a fish.
on	nage	On nage souvent en été.	We often swim in the summer.
nous	nageons	Nous nageons en équipe.	We swim as a team.
vous	nagez	Vous nagez à quelle heure ?	What time do you swim?
ils	nagent	Ils nagent dans la mer.	They swim in the sea.
elles	nagent	Elles nagent avec les dauphins.	They swim with dolphins.