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

Introduction to the verb tutoyer

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The English translation of the French verb tutoyer is “to use the familiar form of address.” It is pronounced “too-twah-yay.”

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Tutoyer comes from the French word “tutoiement,” which means “familiar address.” It is most often used in everyday French when speaking to someone that you know well, such as a family member, friend, or colleague. It is considered a more informal way of addressing someone, as opposed to using the formal “vous” form.

Examples:

Tu peux me donner un coup de main? (Can you give me a hand?) – In this example, tutoyer is used to ask for a favor from a friend or colleague.
J’espère que tu vas bien. (I hope you are doing well.) – Here, tutoyer is used to express concern or well wishes towards someone you know.
Tu me manques beaucoup. (I miss you a lot.) – In this example, tutoyer is used to express affection towards a family member or close friend.

Tutoyer – 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 tutoyer

Pronoun	Conjugation	Short Example	English Translation
Je	tutoie	Je tutoie mes amis.	I tutoie my friends.
Tu	tutoies	Tu tutoies ta soeur.	You tutoie your sister.
Il	tutoie	Il tutoie son patron.	He tutoie his boss.
Elle	tutoie	Elle tutoie sa mère.	She tutoie her mother.
On	tutoie	On tutoie ses collègues.	One tutoie one’s colleagues.
Nous	tutoyons	Nous tutoyons nos voisins.	We tutoie our neighbors.
Vous	tutoyez	Vous tutoyez vos professeurs.	You tutoie your teachers.
Ils	tutoient	Ils tutoient leurs enfants.	They tutoie their children.
Elles	tutoient	Elles tutoient leurs amies.	They tutoie their friends.