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

Introduction to the verb nicher

Get the present tense conjugation of nicher. 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 nicher is “to nest”. It is pronounced “nee-shay”.

Table of Contents

The language origin of nicher comes from the Old French word “niche”, meaning “a nest or shelter for an animal”. In everyday French, nicher is most often used in the figurative sense, meaning “to find one’s place” or “to fit in”.

Here are three simple examples of its usage, with their respective English translations:

Les oiseaux nichent dans les arbres. (The birds nest in the trees.)
Elle a enfin trouvé une entreprise où elle peut vraiment nicher. (She finally found a company where she can truly fit in.)
La ville historique est nichée dans la vallée. (The historic town is nestled in the valley.)

Nicher – 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 nicher

Pronoun	Conjugation	Short Example	English Translation
je	niche	Je niche	I nest
tu	niches	Tu niches	You nest
il	niche	Il niche	He nests
elle	niche	Elle niche	She nests
on	niche	On niche	One nests
nous	nichons	Nous nichons	We nest
vous	nichez	Vous nichez	You nest
ils	nichent	Ils nichent	They nest
elles	nichent	Elles nichent	They nest