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

Introduction to the verb polissonner

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The English translation of the French verb polissonner is “to play tricks” or “to misbehave.” It is pronounced “poh-lee-son-ay.”

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The word polissonner comes from the French word “polisson,” which means “mischievous” or “naughty.” It is most often used in everyday French to describe playful or mischievous behavior, often by children.

Examples of usage:

Les enfants ont polissonné toute la journée et ils sont épuisés maintenant. (The children played tricks all day and they are exhausted now.)
Arrête de polissonner, sinon tu seras privé de dessert. (Stop misbehaving, or you will be denied dessert.)
Les jumeaux aiment bien polissonner ensemble. (The twins enjoy playing tricks together.)

Polissonner – 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 polissonner

Pronoun	Conjugation	Short Example	English Translation
Je	polissonne	Je polissonne souvent avec mes amis.	I often play pranks with my friends.
Tu	polissonnes	Tu polissonnes avec ta petite soeur.	You play pranks with your little sister.
Il	polissonne	Il polissonne en classe.	He plays pranks in class.
Elle	polissonne	Elle polissonne avec ses cousins.	She plays pranks with her cousins.
On	polissonne	On ne devrait pas polissonner en public.	One should not play pranks in public.
Nous	polissonnons	Nous polissonnons ensemble depuis longtemps.	We have been playing pranks together for a long time.
Vous	polissonnez	Vous polissonnez toujours à la récréation.	You always play pranks during recess.
Ils	polissonnent	Ils polissonnent avec leur chien.	They play pranks with their dog.
Elles	polissonnent	Elles polissonnent beaucoup pendant les vacances.	They play a lot of pranks during the holidays.