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

Introduction to the verb traîner

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The English translation of the French verb traîner is “to drag” or “to linger.” It is pronounced as “treyn-er.”

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The verb traîner comes from the Old French word “trainer,” which means “to draw or drag along.” It is most often used in everyday French to describe physically dragging or pulling something, as well as to indicate a slow or reluctant movement.

Examples:

Je dois traîner ma valise jusqu’à la gare. (I have to drag my suitcase to the train station.)
Elle a l’habitude de traîner au lit le matin. (She has a habit of lingering in bed in the morning.)
Ne traîne pas trop, nous allons être en retard. (Don’t hang around too much, we’re going to be late.)

Traîner – 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 traîner

Pronoun	Conjugation	Short Example	English Translation
je	traine	Je traine dans le parc.	I am hanging out in the park.
tu	traines	Tu traines ton sac partout.	You drag your bag everywhere.
il	traine	Il traine souvent avec ses amis.	He often hangs out with his friends.
elle	traine	Elle traine dans les magasins toute la journée.	She hangs out in the stores all day.
on	traine	On traine à la plage cet après-midi.	We are hanging out at the beach this afternoon.
nous	trainons	Nous trainons nos pieds en rentrant chez nous.	We drag our feet on the way home.
vous	trainez	Vous trainez trop tard le soir.	You hang out too late at night.
ils	trainent	Ils trainent souvent en ville le week-end.	They often hang out in the city on weekends.
elles	trainent	Elles trainent dans le quartier avec leur chien.	They hang out in the neighborhood with their dog.