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

Introduction to the verb suffoquer

Get the present tense conjugation of suffoquer. 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 suffoquer is “to suffocate” or “to choke.” It is pronounced as “sufawkay.”

Table of Contents

Suffoquer comes from the Latin word “suffocare,” meaning “to stifle” or “to smother.” In everyday French, it is most commonly used to describe a feeling of being unable to breathe, either literally or figuratively. It can also be used in a more general sense to describe feeling overwhelmed or suffocated by a situation.

Examples:

Je me suis réveillé en pleine nuit en train de suffoquer. (I woke up in the middle of the night suffocating.)
Elle se sentait suffoquer sous le poids de ses responsabilités. (She felt suffocated under the weight of her responsibilities.)
Les manifestations ont été violemment réprimées, suffoquant ainsi tout espoir de changement. (The protests were violently suppressed, suffocating any hope for change.)

Suffoquer – 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 suffoquer

Pronoun	Conjugation	Short Example	English Translation
Je	Suffoque	Je suffoque dans cette chaleur.	I am suffocating in this heat.
Tu	Suffoques	Pourquoi tu suffoques ?	Why are you suffocating?
Il	Suffoque	Il suffoque sous le poids du sac.	He is suffocating under the weight of the bag.
Elle	Suffoque	Elle suffoque dans cette foule.	She is suffocating in this crowd.
On	Suffoque	On suffoque dans cette pièce étouffante.	We are suffocating in this stuffy room.
Nous	Suffoquons	Nous suffoquons à cause de la fumée.	We are suffocating because of the smoke.
Vous	Suffoquez	Vous suffoquez à cause de l’émotion.	You are suffocating because of the emotion.
Ils	Suffoquent	Ils suffoquent à cause de la chaleur.	They are suffocating because of the heat.
Elles	Suffoquent	Elles suffoquent sous l’effort.	They are suffocating under the effort.