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

Introduction to the verb séparer

Get the present tense conjugation of séparer. 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 séparer is “to separate.” It is pronounced as “seh-pa-ray.”

Table of Contents

Séparer has a Latin origin, coming from the word “separare” meaning “to separate” or “to divide.” In everyday French, it is most often used to mean physically separating objects or people, but it can also be used in a figurative sense to describe emotional or conceptual separation.

Examples:

Je vais séparer les vêtements clairs des vêtements foncés avant de les laver. (I will separate the light-colored clothes from the dark clothes before washing them.)
Les montagnes séparent la France de l’Espagne. (The mountains separate France from Spain.)
Elle m’a demandé de laisser son passé et son présent se séparer. (She asked me to let her past and present separate.)

Séparer – 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 séparer

Pronoun	Conjugation	Short Example	English Translation
je	sépare	Je sépare les ingrédients.	I am separating the ingredients.
tu	sépares	Tu sépares les vêtements.	You are separating the clothes.
il	sépare	Il sépare les pièces.	He is separating the rooms.
elle	sépare	Elle sépare les affaires.	She is separating the belongings.
on	sépare	On sépare les déchets.	We are separating the waste.
nous	séparons	Nous séparons les tâches.	We are separating the tasks.
vous	séparez	Vous séparez les documents.	You are separating the documents.
ils	séparent	Ils séparent les groupes.	They are separating the groups.
elles	séparent	Elles séparent les enfants.	They are separating the children.