Parler (to speak) · Subjonctif
By TutorLily Editorial Team · Last updated
Parler in the French subjonctif présent is: je parle, tu parles, il/elle/on parle, nous parlions, vous parliez, ils/elles parlent. The subjonctif présent of parler uses the regular stem 'parl-' with subjonctif endings: parle, parles, parle, parlions, parliez, parlent. Note: most of these forms are IDENTICAL to the indicative — only nous/vous shift (parlions, parliez).
| To Speak | Parler |
|---|---|
| I speak | je parle |
| you speak | tu parles |
| he/she speak | il/elle/on parle |
| we speak | nous parlions |
| you speak | vous parliez |
| they speak | ils/elles parlent |
Parler (to speak) in context
Sentences that use parler in the subjonctif. Tap each to hear it.
I need to speak to the director.
I want you to speak louder.
He needs to speak slowly.
Before we speak, let's listen to him.
I'd like you to speak more in class.
I doubt they will speak without a lawyer.
Working with the subjonctif
The subjonctif isn't a tense — it's a mood. It signals doubt, desire, emotion, necessity, or hypothetical possibility. The standard trigger families: "il faut que" (it's necessary), "je veux que" (I want), "je doute que" (I doubt), "avant que" (before), "bien que" (although), "pour que" (so that). The form usually comes from the third-person plural of the present indicative (ils parlent → que je parle). Most -er verbs look identical in subjonctif and indicative for je/tu/il/ils — only the nous/vous forms shift, and only irregular verbs like être (sois), avoir (aie), aller (aille), faire (fasse) need full memorisation.
Frequently asked questions
How do you conjugate parler in the subjonctif?
How do I tell subjonctif 'parle' from indicative 'parle'?
When do I need to use the subjonctif of parler?
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