“Parler” is a very common verb in French that means “to speak.” It is a regular -er verb, which means that it follows a predictable conjugation pattern. In this post, we’ll explore the different ways that “parler” can be used in French.
1. To talk about language
One of the most common uses of “parler” is to talk about language. When talking about a language, you can use “parler” with the name of the language. For example:
– Je parle français. (I speak French.)
– Elle parle espagnol. (She speaks Spanish.)
– Ils parlent japonais. (They speak Japanese.)
In these examples, “parler” is used with the name of the language to indicate the ability to speak that language.
2. To talk about communication
“Parler” can also be used to talk about communication in general. For example:
– Nous devons parler de ce problème. (We need to talk about this problem.)
– Je ne parle pas avec lui. (I don’t talk to him.)
– Elle parle beaucoup trop. (She talks way too much.)
In these examples, “parler” is used to talk about talking itself or to indicate the act of communicating with someone.
3. To talk about a topic
“Parler” can also be used to indicate the subject of conversation. For example:
– Nous parlons de la santé aujourd’hui. (We’re talking about health today.)
– Il parle souvent de son travail. (He often talks about his work.)
– Elle parle peu de sa vie privée. (She talks little about her private life.)
In these examples, “parler” is used to indicate the subject of the conversation or the topic being discussed.
4. To talk to oneself
Finally, “parler” can also be used to talk to oneself. For example:
– Je parle souvent tout seul. (I often talk to myself.)
– Elle a l’habitude de parler à voix haute. (She’s used to talking out loud.)
In these examples, “parler” is used to indicate the act of speaking out loud without an interlocutor.
In conclusion, “parler” is a versatile and useful verb that can be used in many different ways in French. Whether you’re talking about a language, communication, a topic, or just talking to yourself, “parler” is an essential verb to know.