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

Introduction to the verb secouer

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The English translation of secouer is “to shake”. It is pronounced as “seh-koo-ay”.

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The word secouer comes from the Latin word “succutere”, meaning to shake, and is most often used in everyday French to describe the physical action of shaking something vigorously.

Je dois secouer le tapis pour enlever la poussière. (I have to shake the rug to remove the dust.)
Il a secoué les mains de son adversaire après le match. (He shook hands with his opponent after the game.)
Le bébé a secoué son hochet en riant. (The baby shook his rattle while laughing.)

Secouer – 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 secouer

Pronoun	Conjugation	Short Example	English Translation
Je	secoue	Je secoue ma tête.	I shake my head.
Tu	secoues	Tu secoues la bouteille.	You shake the bottle.
Il	secoue	Il secoue le tapis.	He shakes the rug.
Elle	secoue	Elle secoue ses cheveux.	She shakes her hair.
On	secoue	On secoue les mains.	We shake hands.
Nous	secouons	Nous secouons le sac.	We shake the bag.
Vous	secouez	Vous secouez le drapeau.	You shake the flag.
Ils	secouent	Ils secouent l’arbre.	They shake the tree.
Elles	secouent	Elles secouent les draps.	They shake the sheets.