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

Introduction to the verb risquer

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The English translation of the French verb “risquer” is “to risk” or “to take a risk.” The infinitive form is pronounced “rees-kay.”

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The word “risquer” comes from the Latin word “risicare,” meaning “to risk.” In everyday French, it is most commonly used to describe taking a chance or facing potential danger or uncertainty.

Examples:

Il faut risquer pour réussir. (One must take risks to succeed.)
Elle a risqué sa vie pour sauver le chaton. (She risked her life to save the kitten.)
Nous ne voulons pas risquer de perdre notre argent. (We don’t want to risk losing our money.)

Risquer – 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 risquer

Pronoun	Conjugation	Short Example	English Translation
je	risque	Je risque de tomber.	I risk falling.
tu	risques	Tu risques de te blesser.	You risk hurting yourself.
il	risque	Il risque de perdre son emploi.	He risks losing his job.
elle	risque	Elle risque de rater son examen.	She risks failing her exam.
on	risque	On risque de manquer le train.	We risk missing the train.
nous	risquons	Nous risquons de nous perdre.	We risk getting lost.
vous	risquez	Vous risquez de vous faire mal.	You risk hurting yourself.
ils	risquent	Ils risquent de se battre.	They risk getting into a fight.
elles	risquent	Elles risquent de prendre froid.	They risk catching a cold.