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

Introduction to the verb repasser

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The English translation of the French verb repasser is “to iron.” It is pronounced “ruh-pah-seh” in its infinitive form.

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The word repasser originated from the Latin word “passāre,” meaning “to pass over,” and the prefix “re,” meaning “again.” In everyday French, it is most commonly used to refer to the act of smoothing out wrinkles or creases in clothing with an iron.

Examples:

Je dois repasser ma chemise avant de partir au travail. (I have to iron my shirt before going to work.)
Elle repasse ses vêtements tous les dimanches. (She irons her clothes every Sunday.)
Nous avons acheté une nouvelle centrale vapeur pour repasser plus facilement. (We bought a new steam iron to make ironing easier.)

Repasser – 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 repasser

Pronoun	Conjugation	Short Example	English Translation
Je	Je repasse	Je repasse mes chemises.	I iron my shirts.
Tu	Tu repasses	Tu repasses vite.	You iron quickly.
Il	Il repasse	Il repasse son pantalon.	He irons his pants.
Elle	Elle repasse	Elle repasse sa robe.	She irons her dress.
On	On repasse	On repasse les draps.	We iron the sheets.
Nous	Nous repassons	Nous repassons ensemble.	We iron together.
Vous	Vous repassez	Vous repassez bien.	You iron well.
Ils	Ils repassent	Ils repassent leurs chemises.	They iron their shirts.
Elles	Elles repassent	Elles repassent leurs jupes.	They iron their skirts.