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

Introduction to the verb railler

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The English translation of railler is “to mock” or “to tease.” It is pronounced “ray-ay.”

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Railler comes from the Old French word “rail,” meaning “to mock” or “to ridicule.” In modern everyday French, it is most often used to describe playful teasing or joking with someone. It can also be used in a more hurtful or negative way, similar to the English word “mock.”

Examples:

J’aime bien railler mes amis, mais je sais où est la limite. (I like to tease my friends, but I know where the line is.)
Les enfants aiment souvent se railler les uns les autres à l’école. (Children often enjoy mocking each other at school.)
Il a été blessé par les railleries de ses collègues sur son accent. (He was hurt by his colleagues’ mocking of his accent.)

Railler – 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 railler

Pronoun	Conjugation	Short Example	English Translation
Je	je raille	Je raille mon ami.	I mock my friend.
Tu	tu railles	Tu railles toujours.	You always mock.
Il	il raille	Il raille sa soeur.	He mocks his sister.
Elle	elle raille	Elle raille son frère.	She mocks her brother.
On	on raille	On raille les gens.	We mock people.
Nous	nous raillons	Nous raillons le système.	We mock the system.
Vous	vous raillez	Vous raillez votre patron.	You mock your boss.
Ils	ils raillent	Ils raillent les touristes.	They mock tourists.
Elles	elles raillent	Elles raillent leurs voisins.	They mock their neighbors.