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

Introduction to the verb pécher

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The English translation of the French verb pécher is “to sin.” It is pronounced as “peh-shay.”

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Pécher comes from the Latin word “peccare,” which means “to err or to make a mistake.” It is most often used in everyday French in a religious or moral context to refer to committing a sin or wrongdoing.

Here are three simple examples of pécher being used in everyday French:

Je ne veux pas pécher en mentant à mes parents. (I don’t want to sin by lying to my parents.)
Il est important de demander pardon après avoir péché. (It is important to ask for forgiveness after sinning.)
Elle croit que manger de la viande est pécher. (She believes that eating meat is a sin.)

Pécher – 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 pécher

Pronoun	Conjugation	Short Example	English Translation
je	pèche	Je pèche tous les jours.	I fish every day.
tu	pèches	Tu pèches souvent avec ton père.	You fish often with your father.
il	pèche	Il pèche dans la rivière.	He fishes in the river.
elle	pèche	Elle pèche pour se détendre.	She fishes to relax.
on	pèche	On pèche ensemble chaque été.	We fish together every summer.
nous	pêchons	Nous pêchons à la ligne.	We fish with a fishing rod.
vous	pêchez	Vous pêchez au bord du lac.	You fish by the lake.
ils	pèchent	Ils pèchent pour nourrir leur famille.	They fish to feed their family.
elles	pèchent	Elles pèchent depuis leur enfance.	They have been fishing since childhood.