Definition and Use
Venir is an irregular French verb meaning to come. It is used to express movement toward the speaker or a specified place, and it appears frequently in both everyday speech and formal contexts. The verb is also used in many idiomatic expressions and compound tenses.
Verb Group and Irregularity
Venir belongs to the third group of French verbs, characterized by irregular conjugation patterns that differ significantly from regular -er, -ir, and -re verbs. Its root changes in several tenses, requiring careful memorization.
Present Tense Conjugation
The present tense of venir shows a stem change and irregular endings. It expresses current action or habitual coming.
| French Pronoun | French Conjugation | English Conjugation | French Example | English Example |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Je | viens | I come / I am coming | Je viens à la fête ce soir. | I am coming to the party tonight. |
| Tu | viens | You come / are coming | Tu viens avec nous? | Are you coming with us? |
| Il/Elle/On | vient | He/She/One comes | Il vient de Paris. | He comes from Paris. |
| Nous | venons | We come | Nous venons demain. | We are coming tomorrow. |
| Vous | venez | You come (formal/pl) | Vous venez à la réunion ? | Are you coming to the meeting? |
| Ils/Elles | viennent | They come | Ils viennent en vacances. | They are coming on vacation. |
Passé Composé with Venir
The auxiliary verb for venir is être, not avoir, which is typical for verbs indicating movement or change of state. The past participle is venu (agrees in gender and number).
Example:
Elle est venue hier soir. (She came last night.)
Uses in Idiomatic Expressions
Venir is part of several common phrases:
- Venir de + infinitive = to have just done something (recent past)
- Venir à l'esprit = to come to mind
- Faire venir = to send for or bring
Example:
Je viens de finir mes devoirs. (I have just finished my homework.)
Future and Conditional Forms
The stem for future and conditional tenses is viendr-, with standard endings.
Example table for future tense:
| French Pronoun | French Conjugation | English Conjugation | French Example | English Example |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Je | viendrai | I will come | Je viendrai demain. | I will come tomorrow. |
| Tu | viendras | You will come | Tu viendras à la fête? | Will you come to the party? |
| Il/Elle/On | viendra | He/She/One will come | Il viendra nous voir bientôt. | He will come to see us soon. |
| Nous | viendrons | We will come | Nous viendrons en train. | We will come by train. |
| Vous | viendrez | You will come | Vous viendrez avec nous? | Will you come with us? |
| Ils/Elles | viendront | They will come | Elles viendront à temps. | They will come on time. |
Summary
Venir is a versatile, irregular verb essential to mastering French. Its varied conjugations and uses make it key to expressing movement, recent past actions, and many idiomatic ideas. Regular practice of its forms in context will greatly enhance fluency.
