Parler (to speak) · Présent
By TutorLily Editorial Team · Last updated
Parler in the French présent is: je parle, tu parles, il/elle/on parle, nous parlons, vous parlez, ils/elles parlent. The present of parler is the model regular -er conjugation. Endings: -e, -es, -e, -ons, -ez, -ent. Note that -e, -es, -ent are silent in pronunciation — only the stem 'parl-' is heard. The je/tu/il/ils forms all SOUND identical.
| To Speak | Parler |
|---|---|
| I speak | je parle |
| you speak | tu parles |
| he/she speaks | il/elle/on parle |
| we speak | nous parlons |
| you speak | vous parlez |
| they speak | ils/elles parlent |
Parler (to speak) in context
Sentences that use parler in the présent. Tap each to hear it.
I speak French and English.
You speak too fast for me.
He speaks several languages.
We often talk on the phone.
You speak French very well.
They speak Spanish among themselves.
Working with the présent
French uses the present tense more broadly than English does. "Je parle français" can mean "I speak French," "I am speaking French," or "I do speak French" — context decides. Note that "on" (technically third-person singular: "on parle") is the everyday spoken equivalent of "nous" — French speakers use it constantly in conversation. "Nous parlons" feels more formal or written; "on parle" is what you actually hear in everyday speech.
Frequently asked questions
How do you conjugate parler in the present tense?
Why do je/tu/il/ils all SOUND the same?
What's the difference between parler and dire?
Practice Parler (To Speak) in real conversations
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