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parler at A1 — the present tense

« parler » — jump to your level:A1A2B1B2C1C2Native

Master the present-tense forms and start using « parler » straight away.

The present tense

At A1, « parler » in the present tense is your foundation — you’ll reach for it in almost every sentence you ever say. Here’s how a teacher would have you learn it: don’t memorise a table, build a reflex. Work through the forms below, then the step-by-step method, then say the pronunciation drills out loud — twice. By the end of this page, « je » and « nous » forms should come out of your mouth without thinking.

Concretely, this tense covers three jobs in English: I see, I am seeing and I do see are all the same single French form. One form, three meanings — that’s a gift, take it.

🔑 Key forms at this level

Présent

jeparle
tuparles
il/elleparle
nousparlons
vousparlez
ils/ellesparlent

💡 Focus at this level: Basics — speaking languages

👨‍🏫 How the present tense works — step by step

1

Say the singular forms out loud until they’re automatic: je parle, tu parles, il/elle parle. In writing the endings differ, but that’s the pattern your mouth needs first.

2

The nous and vous forms are your anchors — they almost never surprise you: nous parlons (-ons) and vous parlez (-ez).

⚠️ Classic mistake: the final -ent of « ils parlent » is completely silent. Reading it aloud is the #1 beginner giveaway.

🧠 Memory hook: record yourself saying all six forms once a day for a week — the present tense of « parler » must cost you zero effort before you move to A2.

🗣️ Pronunciation — listen & repeat (Présent)

Tap 🔊 to hear each form in a native voice, then say it aloud — most French verb endings are silent, so « parler » forms often sound alike.

je parle“I …”
tu parles“you …”
il/elle parle“he/she …”
nous parlons“we …”
vous parlez“you (pl/formal) …”
ils/elles parlent“they …”

🔊 Example sentences

Je parle français.I speak French.
Tu parles anglais ?Do you speak English?

✍️ Practice

je ___ (présent)

Show answer

parle

tu ___ (présent)

Show answer

parles

nous ___ (présent)

Show answer

parlons

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🧩 Sentence builder put the words in the right order

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