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ENOuvrir Conjugation in French: Complete Tables, Rules, and Guide
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Ouvrir Conjugation in French: Complete Tables, Rules, and Guide
The French verb ouvrir translates directly to "to open" in English. It is an indispensable word for daily communication, whether you are asking a shopkeeper when a store opens, asking someone to open a window, or talking about opening an account.
Grammatically, ouvrir belongs to the third conjugation group (irregular verbs ending in -ir). However, it possesses a unique property that makes it both famous and deceptively simple: in the present indicative and present subjunctive, it takes the exact same endings as regular -er verbs.
In this comprehensive tutorial from the language specialists at my-french.com, you will find clear conjugation charts for every major tense, grammar rules, common pitfalls, and practical everyday examples.
1. The Key Rule of "Ouvrir"
Most French learners expect -ir verbs to follow the pattern of finir (je finis, tu finis, nous finissons). Ouvrir completely rejects that rule.
- In the present tense, it drops the -ir and adds: -e, -es, -e, -ons, -ez, -ent.
- The past participle is irregular: ouvert (not ouvri).
- It is conjugated with the auxiliary verb avoir in compound tenses.
- Related verbs conjugate exactly the same way: couvrir (to cover), découvrir (to discover), offrir (to offer/give), souffrir (to suffer), and rouvrir (to reopen).
Instead:
2. Complete Conjugation Charts for Ouvrir
Present Tense (Présent de l'Indicatif)
Used for actions happening now or recurrent habits.
| Subject Pronoun | French Conjugation | English Translation |
|---|---|---|
| :--- | :--- | :--- |
| J' | ouvre | I open / I am opening |
| Tu | ouvres | You open (informal) |
| Il / Elle / On | ouvre | He / She / One opens |
| Nous | ouvrons | We open |
| Vous | ouvrez | You open (formal/plural) |
| Ils / Elles | ouvrent | They open |
Example: J'ouvre les rideaux chaque matin. (I open the curtains every morning.)
Passé Composé (Compound Past)
Formed with the auxiliary avoir followed by the past participle ouvert.
| Subject Pronoun | French Conjugation | English Translation |
|---|---|---|
| :--- | :--- | :--- |
| J' | ai ouvert | I opened / I have opened |
| Tu | as ouvert | You opened |
| Il / Elle / On | a ouvert | He / She / One opened |
| Nous | avons ouvert | We opened |
| Vous | avez ouvert | You opened |
| Ils / Elles | ont ouvert | They opened |
Note on Agreement: Like all verbs with avoir, the participle agrees in gender and number only if the direct object precedes the verb: La boîte qu'il a ouverte (The box that he opened).
Imperfect Tense (Imparfait)
Used for ongoing background events or past habits.
| Subject Pronoun | French Conjugation | English Translation |
|---|---|---|
| :--- | :--- | :--- |
| J' | ouvrais | I was opening / used to open |
| Tu | ouvrais | You were opening |
| Il / Elle / On | ouvrait | He / She was opening |
| Nous | ouvrions | We were opening |
| Vous | ouvriez | You were opening |
| Ils / Elles | ouvraient | They were opening |
Built on the infinitive stem ouvrir- with standard future endings.
| Subject Pronoun | French Conjugation | English Translation |
|---|---|---|
| :--- | :--- | :--- |
| J' | ouvrirai | I will open |
| Tu | ouvriras | You will open |
| Il / Elle / On | ouvrira | He / She will open |
| Nous | ouvrirons | We will open |
| Vous | ouvrirez | You will open |
| Ils / Elles | ouvriront | They will open |
Used to make polite requests or express hypothetical scenarios.
| Subject Pronoun | French Conjugation | English Translation |
|---|---|---|
| :--- | :--- | :--- |
| J' | ouvrirais | I would open |
| Tu | ouvrirais | You would open |
| Il / Elle / On | ouvrirait | He / She would open |
| Nous | ouvririons | We would open |
| Vous | ouvririez | You would open |
| Ils / Elles | ouvriraient | They would open |
Example: Pourriez-vous ouvrir la fenêtre ? (Could you open the window?)
Present Subjunctive (Subjonctif Présent)
Required after verbs expressing necessity, uncertainty, or emotion.
| Subject Pronoun | French Conjugation | English Translation |
|---|---|---|
| :--- | :--- | :--- |
| Que j' | ouvre | (That) I open |
| Que tu | ouvres | (That) you open |
| Qu'il / elle / on | ouvre | (That) he / she open |
| Que nous | ouvrions | (That) we open |
| Que vous | ouvriez | (That) you open |
| Qu'ils / elles | ouvrent | (That) they open |
Example: Il faut que tu ouvres ton colis tout de suite. (You must open your parcel right away.)
Imperative (Impératif)
Used for orders, advice, and instructions. Note that the singular informal command does not take an "s".
- Ouvre ! (Open! - singular/informal)
- Ouvrons ! (Let's open!)
- Ouvrez ! (Open! - formal/plural)
3. Common Pitfalls to Avoid
1. Adding an "s" to the imperative: Never write "Ouvres la porte !". The correct form is "Ouvre la porte !". The only exception is when followed by the pronouns en or y for phonetic liaison (Ouvres-en deux !).
2. Inventing a regular participle: Do not say "J'ai ouvri". Always use the irregular participle ouvert.
3. Using -issant forms: Forms like "nous ouvrissons" do not exist. Always use nous ouvrons.
4. Useful French Idioms with Ouvrir
- Ouvrir l'œil – To keep one's eyes peeled / to stay alert.
- Ouvrir son cœur – To pour one's heart out.
- Ouvrir l'appétit – To whet one's appetite.
- Ouvrir une parenthèse – To make a digression or aside.
By keeping in mind that ouvrir takes regular -er endings in the present tense despite its -ir infinitive, you will avoid the most frequent mistakes and master its conjugation with ease.