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

Introduction to the verb savonner

Get the present tense conjugation of savonner. Includes a FREE downloadable reference sheet (no email required). Alternatively if you have a lot of text to check then use our free French Grammar Checker – no registration required!

The English translation of the French verb savonner is “to soap.” It is pronounced “sah-voh-nay.”

Table of Contents

The language origin of savonner comes from the French word “savon,” meaning soap. It is most often used in everyday French to describe the action of cleaning or washing with soap.

Examples:

Je vais savonner mes mains avant de préparer le dîner. (I am going to soap my hands before preparing dinner.)
Il faut savonner la vaisselle avant de la mettre dans le lave-vaisselle. (You need to soap the dishes before putting them in the dishwasher.)
J’aime me savonner le corps avec un savon parfumé. (I like to soap my body with a scented soap.)

Savonner – 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 savonner

Pronoun	Conjugation	Short Example	English Translation
je	savonne	Je me savonne tous les matins.	I soap myself every morning.
tu	savonnes	Tu savonnes tes mains avant de manger.	You soap your hands before eating.
il	savonne	Il savonne la voiture avec attention.	He soaps the car carefully.
elle	savonne	Elle se savonne les cheveux avec un shampooing doux.	She soaps her hair with a gentle shampoo.
on	savonne	On se savonne en chantant sous la douche.	We soap ourselves while singing in the shower.
nous	savonnons	Nous savonnons la vaisselle après le dîner.	We soap the dishes after dinner.
vous	savonnez	Vous vous savonnez les mains avant de cuisiner.	You soap your hands before cooking.
ils	savonnent	Ils se savonnent le visage avec un savon naturel.	They soap their faces with a natural soap.
elles	savonnent	Elles se savonnent mutuellement le dos dans le bain.	They soap each other’s backs in the bathtub.