craindre
to fear
[ -indre verbs ]
Craindre means "to fear" and is used when expressing fear or apprehension about something real or potential. It follows the pattern of other -indre verbs like peindre (to paint) and éteindre (to extinguish), with a characteristic stem change and endings in its conjugations.
- Expresses fear or apprehension
- Used for both concrete and abstract things feared
- Conjugated as a typical -indre verb with stem modifications
| Subject | Present | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Je | crains | I fear / am fearing |
| Tu | crains | You fear / are fearing |
| Il/elle | craint | He/she fears |
| Nous | craignons | We fear |
| Vous | craignez | You (pl.) fear |
| Ils/elles | craignent | They fear |
- Present: Use the -ains/-a... endings with crain- stem for most forms; craign- for nous/vous.
No, they are unique: -ains/-a... for je/tu/il and -g... for nous/vous.
- Use craindre for both literal fear and anticipation of something unpleasant.
Present Usage
- Direct fear: Je crains les araignées. (I fear spiders.)
- Anticipation: Je crains qu’il pleuve. (I fear it might rain.)
Yes, craindre can be used for fearing both things and possibilities.
| Subject | Past Historic | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Je | craignis | I feared |
| Tu | craignis | You feared |
| Il/elle | craignit | He/she feared |
| Nous | craignîmes | We feared |
| Vous | craignîtes | You (pl.) feared |
| Ils/elles | craignirent | They feared |
- Past historic is a literary form used mainly in novels and formal writings.
| Subject | Subjunctive Present | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Que je | craigne | That I fear |
| Que tu | craignes | That you fear |
| Qu’il/elle | craigne | That he/she fears |
| Que nous | craignions | That we fear |
| Que vous | craigniez | That you fear |
| Qu’ils/elles | craignent | That they fear |
- The subjunctive is required after expressions of fear, doubt, or uncertainty.
Subjunctive Usage
- After fear expressions: Je crains que tu ne craignes rien.
- For wishes, doubts about fearing: Il faut que vous craigniez le pire.
Use craindre in subjunctive after fear expressions in dependent clauses.
| Subject | Future | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Je | craindrai | I will fear |
| Tu | craindras | You will fear |
| Il/elle | craindra | He/she will fear |
| Nous | craindrons | We will fear |
| Vous | craindrez | You (pl.) will fear |
| Ils/elles | craindront | They will fear |
- Future: Attach -rai, -ras, -ra... to the stem craind-.
| Subject | Conditional | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Je | craindrais | I would fear |
| Tu | craindrais | You would fear |
| Il/elle | craindrait | He/she would fear |
| Nous | craindrions | We would fear |
| Vous | craindriez | You (pl.) would fear |
| Ils/elles | craindraient | They would fear |
- Conditional: Use the future stem craindr- + conditional endings (-ais, -ait...).
Usage Notes
- Craindre can also mean "to suspect" or "to be afraid (that)" in some contexts.
- It often appears in more formal or literary contexts compared to avoir peur.
- Common derivatives: la crainte (fear), craignant (fearing, as in a warning).
The verbs peindre, éteindre, and joindre share craindre's pattern.
Yes, craindre is used with the subjunctive after expressions of fear.
Use craindre with nouns or appropriate clauses, e.g. 'Je crains le chien,' 'Elle craint qu'il ne pleuve.'
Conclusion
Craindre is a nuanced verb for expressing fear, worry, or apprehension, especially in contexts where something might happen. It requires special conjugations and the subjunctive mood in certain cases.
- Use craindre for fearing both realities and possibilities.
- Master its -indre pattern for correct conjugations.
- Use the subjunctive after expressions of fear involving craindre.