Goals :
Introduction
Not every -ir verb belongs to this group (e.g. dormir, partir are third group). - For now, ignore those exceptions. - The list above is perfectly regular and enough to get started.
A tiny contrast with English. English sometimes distinguishes “I finish” from “I’m finishing”. In French we mostly use the simple present (je finis). To stress the action-in-progress you would say "je suis en train de finir".
We’ll discus that later.
Engage in reading
Your goal is to practice and understand the following text.
Point 1 : You'll read some second group verbs. They all are conjugated in present. Identify them!
Point 2 : Let's focus on what is simplest. Your first goal is to be understood, not to speak perfect French. Don't stress! Don't run!
The Text :
⏱️0s Une soirée qui s’achève doucement
⏱️2s Chaque jour, je finis mon travail vers six heures et je ralentis le rythme.
⏱️7s En rentrant, nous choisissons un podcast et nous réfléchissons aux sujets du jour.
⏱️12s Les enfants grandissent vite : ils réussissent déjà à préparer le dîner quasiment seuls !
⏱️17s Pendant qu’ils cuisinent, je bâtis un château en Lego avec le plus jeune ; il embellit chaque tour avec des drapeaux colorés.
⏱️25s À table, tout le monde rougit un peu quand je félicite ces jeunes chefs ; puis nous nourrissons le chat qui attend patiemment.
⏱️34s Enfin, nous finissons la soirée en lisant, et la maison ralentit encore —jusqu’à ce que tout le monde finisse par s’endormir.
The text in English
An evening slowly winding down
Every day, I finish work around six and slow down the pace.
On the way home we choose a podcast and think about the topics of the day.
The children grow quickly: they manage to prepare dinner almost by themselves already!
While they cook, I build a Lego castle with the youngest; he makes each tower prettier with colourful flags.
At the table everyone blushes a little when I praise these young chefs; then we feed the cat who waits patiently.
Finally, we finish the evening reading, and the house slows further—until everyone ends up falling asleep.
Conjugation of "-ir" verbs
1️⃣ Same prononciation
2️⃣ For the frist group verbs, 1️⃣ 2️⃣ are pronounced the same way. Not for the second group verbs.
Learn some vocabulary