offrir is the French verb for “to offer,” expressing the act of giving something (a gift, favor, or service) to someone. It is used in contexts where something is presented or made available, often with a sense of generosity or formality. The verb offrir is conjugated similarly to ouvrir and other “-rir” verbs, not like typical “-ir” verbs.
- Core meaning: to present, give, or make available (usually something tangible or a service)
- Used for offers of gifts, favors, services, or opportunities
- Conjugated like ouvrir, cueillir, découvrir: j’offre, tu offres, il offre, nous offrons, vous offrez, ils offrent
'offrir' means to give or present something, not to receive or request.
'offrir' is used when you give or offer something, not when you receive or just reserve.
Present Tense
| Subject | Conjugation | Example | Translation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Je | offre | J’offre mon aide. | I offer my help. |
| Tu | offres | Tu offres un cadeau. | You offer a gift. |
| Il/Elle | offre | Il offre des fleurs. | He offers flowers. |
| Nous | offrons | Nous offrons un rabais. | We offer a discount. |
| Vous | offrez | Vous offrez votre temps. | You (pl.) offer time. |
| Ils/Elles | offrent | Ils offrent un service. | They offer a service. |
offrir is conjugated like ouvrir: remove the “-rir” and use -re endings for most forms, but with the stem “offr-” for nous/vous/ils.
'offrir' follows the pattern of 'ouvrir': nous offrons.
Correct forms are J’offre, Tu offres, Il offre, Nous offrons, Vous offrez, Ils offrent.
Passé Composé
offrir uses avoir as the auxiliary and a regular past participle formed like -er verbs: offert.
| Subject | Auxiliary + Past Participle | Example | Translation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Je | ai offert | J’ai offert mon aide. | I offered/offered... |
| Tu | as offert | Tu as offert un cadeau. | You offered... |
| Il/Elle | a offert | Il a offert des fleurs. | He offered... |
| Nous | avons offert | Nous avons offert un rabais. | We offered... |
| Vous | avez offert | Vous avez offert votre temps. | You (pl.) offered... |
| Ils/Elles | ont offert | Ils ont offert un service. | They offered... |
The past participle of 'offrir' is 'offert'.
'offrir' is conjugated with avoir: J'ai offert, Nous avons offert, Ils ont offert.
Imparfait
Use the stem offr- and add imparfait endings: -ais, -ais, -ait, -ions, -iez, -aient
| Subject | Conjugation | Example | Translation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Je | offrais | J’offrais souvent des idées. | I used to offer... |
| Tu | offrais | Tu offrais ton aide. | You used to offer... |
| Il/Elle | offrait | Il offrait des conseils. | He used to offer... |
| Nous | offrions | Nous offrions de bons prix. | We used to offer... |
| Vous | offriez | Vous offriez votre soutien. | You (pl.) used to offer... |
| Ils/Elles | offraient | Ils offraient des cadeaux. | They used to offer... |
The stem for imparfait is 'offr-', like for most classic -ir/-re verb patterns.
Correct imparfait forms: J'offrais, Nous offrions, Ils offraient.
Conditional
Attach imparfait stem offr- + standard conditional endings (-ais, -ais, -ait, -ions, -iez, -aient):
| Subject | Conjugation | Example | Translation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Je | offrirais | J’offrirais mon aide... | I would offer... |
| Tu | offrirais | Tu offrirais un cadeau... | You would offer... |
| Il/Elle | offrirait | Il offrirait une solution... | He would offer... |
| Nous | offririons | Nous offririons plus de temps. | We would offer... |
| Vous | offririez | Vous offririez des conseils... | You (pl.) would offer... |
| Ils/Elles | offriraient | Ils offriraient des avantages. | They would offer... |
The conditional stem is 'offr-', same as for the imparfait.
Correct forms: J'offrirais, Nous offririons (with stem offr-).
Usage Notes
- Offrir is often used for meaningful/intentional giving (not for casual sharing).
- It can apply to both tangible things (gifts) and intangibles (help, opportunities).
- Related nouns: une offre (an offer), un cadeau offert (a gift offered).
'offrir' is used for offering both tangible things and intangible services.
'offrir' can refer to offering a gift, help, a discount, or a job opportunity.
Conclusion
offrir means “to offer” and is used when giving gifts, services, or opportunities. It’s conjugated like ouvrir, not like regular -ir verbs.
- Uses: Offering gifts, favors, services, or opportunities
- Typical conjugations: Je donne = J’offre; Nous offrons (present); Avoir + offert (past)
- Not used for receiving or asking for something