boire

The French Verb “Boire”

The verb “boire” is a common and essential French verb that means “to drink.” It is irregular and is part of the third group of French verbs, requiring extra attention to its conjugations. In addition to its literal meaning, boire is also used in a variety of idiomatic expressions.


Meanings of “Boire”

  1. Literal Meaning
    The primary use of boire is to describe consuming liquids.
    • Je bois de l’eau tous les jours.
      (I drink water every day.)
    • Il boit un café avant de partir.
      (He drinks a coffee before leaving.)
  2. Figurative Use
    Boire can also mean to metaphorically “absorb” something, like information or an experience.
    • Elle boit les paroles du professeur.
      (She hangs on every word the teacher says.)

Conjugation of “Boire”

Present Tense (Présent)

PronounConjugation
Jebois
Tubois
Il/Elle/Onboit
Nousbuvons
Vousbuvez
Ils/Ellesboivent

Imperfect Tense (Imparfait)

PronounConjugation
Jebuvais
Tubuvais
Il/Elle/Onbuvait
Nousbuvions
Vousbuviez
Ils/Ellesbuvaient

Passé Composé

Formed with the auxiliary verb avoir and the past participle bu.

PronounConjugation
J’ai bu
Tuas bu
Il/Elle/Ona bu
Nousavons bu
Vousavez bu
Ils/Ellesont bu

Examples of Usage

  • Présent: Nous buvons du vin rouge avec le dîner.
    (We drink red wine with dinner.)
  • Imparfait: Quand j’étais enfant, je buvais du lait tous les matins.
    (When I was a child, I used to drink milk every morning.)
  • Passé composé: Ils ont bu tout le jus d’orange.
    (They drank all the orange juice.)

Idiomatic Expressions with “Boire”

  1. Boire comme un trou
    (To drink like a fish)
    • Refers to drinking (alcohol) excessively.
    • Il boit comme un trou depuis qu’il a perdu son emploi.
      (He drinks like a fish since he lost his job.)
  2. Boire du petit-lait
    (To be delighted)
    • Implies taking satisfaction in something.
    • Après sa victoire, il buvait du petit-lait.
      (After his victory, he was over the moon.)
  3. Boire la tasse
    (To swallow water while swimming)
    • Can also mean to face a setback or failure.
    • En nageant, j’ai bu la tasse.
      (While swimming, I swallowed water.)
  4. Boire les paroles de quelqu’un
    (To hang on someone’s every word)
    • Les enfants boivent les paroles du conteur.
      (The children hang on the storyteller’s every word.)

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