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.

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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.)

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Conjugation of “Boire”

Present Tense (Présent)

Pronoun	Conjugation
Je	bois
Tu	bois
Il/Elle/On	boit
Nous	buvons
Vous	buvez
Ils/Elles	boivent

Imperfect Tense (Imparfait)

Pronoun	Conjugation
Je	buvais
Tu	buvais
Il/Elle/On	buvait
Nous	buvions
Vous	buviez
Ils/Elles	buvaient

Passé Composé

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

Pronoun	Conjugation
J’	ai bu
Tu	as bu
Il/Elle/On	a bu
Nous	avons bu
Vous	avez bu
Ils/Elles	ont bu

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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.)

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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.)