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

Introduction to the verb traire

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The English translation of the French verb traire is “to milk.” It is pronounced “treh-r.”

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Traire comes from the Latin word “trahere,” meaning “to draw.” In everyday French, it is most often used in the context of milking cows or other animals.

Examples:

Je dois traire les vaches avant de partir pour le marché. (I have to milk the cows before leaving for the market.)
Le fermier traite les vaches tous les matins à 6 heures. (The farmer milks the cows every morning at 6 o’clock.)
Il est difficile de traire une vache si elle n’est pas calme. (It’s difficult to milk a cow if she’s not calm.)

Traire – 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 traire

Pronoun	Conjugation	Short Example	English Translation
Je	Je traie	Je traie les vaches.	I milk the cows.
Tu	Tu traies	Tu traies la chèvre.	You milk the goat.
Il	Il trait	Il trait le cheval.	He milks the horse.
Elle	Elle trait	Elle trait la brebis.	She milks the sheep.
On	On trait	On trait les animaux.	We milk the animals.
Nous	Nous trayons	Nous trayons les chèvres.	We milk the goats.
Vous	Vous trayez	Vous trayez les vaches.	You (plural) milk the cows.
Ils	Ils traient	Ils traient les chevaux.	They (masculine) milk the horses.
Elles	Elles traient	Elles traient les brebis.	They (feminine) milk the sheep.