Ouvrir is a French verb meaning "to open." It is used for both literal and figurative openings and follows the conjugation pattern of -rir verbs, similar to offrir and souffrir.
- Meaning: to open
- Usage: Both literal (e.g., doors, windows) and figurative (e.g., opportunities, discussions)
- Verb Family: Regular -rir pattern (like offrir, souffrir)
- Example: Elle ouvre la fenêtre. (She opens the window.)
*Ouvrir* means 'to open.'
Conjugation Overview
Unlike regular -er verbs, ouvrir conjugates like an -ir verb, with a pattern similar to offrir and souffrir. In the present tense, the verb takes endings like -er verbs, but the stem is ouvr-.
| Tense | Example (il/elle) | Pattern Note |
|---|---|---|
| Present | il ouvre | Use -er endings on ouvr- |
| Passé Composé | il a ouvert | Avoir + ouvert (past participle) |
| Imparfait | il ouvrait | Stem: ouvr-, endings like -er |
| Future | il ouvrira | Stem: ouvr-, regular future endings |
| Conditional | il ouvrirait | Stem: ouvr-, regular endings |
- Present: j'ouvre, tu ouvres, il/elle ouvre, nous ouvrons, vous ouvrez, ils/elles ouvrent
- Passé Composé: ouvert (with avoir)
- Imparfait: ouvrais, ouvrais, ouvrait, ouvrions, ouvriez, ouvraient
The stem for *ouvrir* is *ouvr-*.
The past participle of *ouvrir* is *ouvert*.
Present Tense
Ouvrir is typically used for starting or allowing access to something.
| Person | French | English |
|---|---|---|
| Je | ouvre | I open |
| Tu | ouvres | You open (informal) |
| Il/Elle | ouvre | He/She opens |
| Nous | ouvrons | We open |
| Vous | ouvrez | You open (formal/plural) |
| Ils/Elles | ouvrent | They open |
Example:
- Nous ouvrons la boutique à neuf heures.
(We open the shop at nine o'clock.)
‘They open’ is *ils ouvrent*.
Correct forms are *ouvre*, *ouvres*, *ouvrons*.
Passé Composé
Use avoir + ouvert.
| Subject | Example | English |
|---|---|---|
| J' | J'ai ouvert | I opened |
| Tu | Tu as ouvert | You opened |
| Il/Elle | Il/Elle a ouvert | He/She opened |
| Nous | Nous avons ouvert | We opened |
| Vous | Vous avez ouvert | You opened |
| Ils/Elles | Ils ont ouvert | They opened |
Example:
- Ils ont ouvert un nouveau restaurant.
(They opened a new restaurant.)
It is 'Nous avons ouvert.'
Imparfait
Use the stem ouvr- + imparfait endings (-ais, -ais, -ait, -ions, -iez, -aient).
| Subject | Form | English |
|---|---|---|
| Je | Ouvrais | I was opening / I used to open |
| Tu | Ouvrais | You were opening |
| Il/Elle | Ouvrait | He/She was opening |
| Nous | Ouvrions | We were opening |
| Vous | Ouvriez | You were opening |
| Ils/Elles | Ouvraient | They were opening |
Example:
- Quand j'étais enfant, j'ouvrais toujours les cadeaux en avance.
(When I was a child, I always used to open the presents early.)
The correct form is *ouvriez*.
It’s 'ouvrions.'
Future
Add regular -er style endings to ouvr-.
| Subject | Form | English |
|---|---|---|
| Je | Ouvrirai | I will open |
| Tu | Ouvriras | You will open |
| Il/Elle | Ouvrira | He/She will open |
| Nous | Ouvrirons | We will open |
| Vous | Ouvrirez | You will open |
| Ils/Elles | Ouvriront | They will open |
Example:
- Elle ouvrira la porte quand elle arrivera.
(She will open the door when she arrives.)
‘I will open’ is *J'ouvrirai*.
The stem is *ouvr-*.
Conditional
Use the same stem as the future (ouvr-) with imparfait endings.
| Subject | Form | English |
|---|---|---|
| Je | Ouvrirais | I would open |
| Tu | Ouvrirais | You would open |
| Il/Elle | Ouvrirait | He/She would open |
| Nous | Ouvririons | We would open |
| Vous | Ouvririez | You would open |
| Ils/Elles | Ouvriraient | They would open |
Example:
- Nous ouvririons le magasin, mais nous n'avons pas la clé.
(We would open the store, but we don't have the key.)
‘il ouvrirait’ is correct.
It’s 'ils ouvriraient.'
Ouvrir is a versatile French verb for opening things, ideas, or opportunities. It follows a unique -rir conjugation pattern and is essential for everyday situations and advanced communication.
- Meaning: to open (literal and figurative)
- Verb Pattern: -rir (like offrir, souffrir)
- Key Forms: ouvre (present), ouvert (past participle), ouvr- (stem for most tenses)