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

Introduction to the verb retaper

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The English translation of the French verb retaper is “to refurbish” or “to renovate.” The infinitive form of retaper is pronounced “ruh-tah-pay.”

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Retaper is derived from the prefix “re-” meaning “again” and the verb “taper” which means “to hit.” In everyday French, retaper is most often used to refer to the act of fixing or restoring something, such as a house or a piece of furniture.

Examples:

Je vais retaper ma vieille maison de famille. (I am going to refurbish my old family house.)
Il faut retaper ce vieux canapé avant de le vendre. (We need to renovate this old couch before selling it.)
Les bénévoles ont passé la journée à retaper l’ancienne école du village. (The volunteers spent the day renovating the old village school.)

Translation: The English translation of the French verb retaper is “to refurbish” or “to renovate.” The infinitive form of retaper is pronounced “ruh-tah-pay.” Retaper is derived from the prefix “re-” meaning “again” and the verb “taper” which means “to hit.” In everyday French, retaper is most often used to refer to the act of fixing or restoring something, such as a house or a piece of furniture. Examples: 1. I am going to refurbish my old family house. 2. We need to renovate this old couch before selling it. 3. The volunteers spent the day renovating the old village school.

Retaper – 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 retaper

Pronoun	Conjugation	Short Example	English Translation
je	retape	Je retape ma chambre.	I am fixing up my room.
tu	retapes	Tu retapes ton vélo.	You are fixing up your bike.
il	retape	Il retape son ordinateur.	He is fixing up his computer.
elle	retape	Elle retape sa maison.	She is fixing up her house.
on	retape	On retape le jardin.	We are fixing up the garden.
nous	retapons	Nous retapons la cuisine.	We are fixing up the kitchen.
vous	retapez	Vous retapez votre voiture.	You are fixing up your car.
ils	retapent	Ils retapent le salon.	They are fixing up the living room.
elles	retapent	Elles retapent leur appartement.	They are fixing up their apartment.