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

Introduction to the verb résister

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The English translation of résister is “to resist.” It is pronounced as “ray-zee-stay.”

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The word résister originated from the Latin word “resistere,” which means “to stand back” or “to resist.” It is most often used in everyday French to describe the act of resisting or opposing something or someone. It can also refer to withstanding pressure or force.

Examples:

Je dois résister à la tentation de manger ce gâteau. (I must resist the temptation to eat this cake.)
Les manifestants ont résisté aux gaz lacrymogènes de la police. (The protesters resisted the tear gas from the police.)
Nous ne pouvons pas résister à l’envie de voyager. (We cannot resist the urge to travel.)

Résister – 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 résister

Pronoun	Conjugation	Short Example	English Translation
je	résiste	Je résiste à l’eau.	I resist the water.
tu	résistes	Tu résistes à la vie	You resist life.
il	résiste	Il résiste au froid.	He resists the cold.
elle	résiste	Elle résiste au vent.	She resists the wind.
on	résiste	On résiste à tout.	We resist everything.
nous	résistons	Nous résistons au feu.	We resist the fire.
vous	résistez	Vous résistez à l’amour.	You resist love.
ils	résistent	Ils résistent à la pluie.	They resist the rain.
elles	résistent	Elles résistent à la tentation.	They resist temptation.