⏱️ 2 min practice • 🔥 CEFR A2

courir

Irregular (-ir) Level A2 ⭐ #52 Most Common

English translation: to run

Stem Pattern: cours, court, courons / j'ai couru
💡 Key Usage Note: Takes 'avoir' in passé composé: 'J'ai couru 5 kilomètres' (not être). Future doubles r: 'je courrai'.
📘 Linguistic Rule: 3rd group verb. Endings: -s, -s, -t, -ons, -ez, -ent. Future and conditional stems double the 'r' (je courrai). Participle is 'couru'.
⚖️ Courir vs Marcher (Running vs Walking)
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Présent

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Subject Pronoun Conjugation Audio
je cours
tu cours
il/elle/on court
nous courons
vous courez
ils/elles courent
💡 Tip: Click any row's audio button to hear native pronunciation
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AI Smart Tutor: 'COURIR' Insights

Linguistic breakdowns & native shortcuts

Smart Tips
🧠 Memory Trick (Mnemonic)

Cognate with 'courier' and 'corridor' (where couriers run).

⚠️ Most Common Student Mistake
✗ Don't say: Je suis couru ce matin
✓ Say instead: J'ai couru ce matin

Why: Courir takes avoir, not être, in compound tenses.

🗣️ Essential Native Idioms with 'courir'
Courir sur le haricot

= To get on someone's nerves

"Il commence vraiment à me courir sur le haricot !"

Par les temps qui courent

= In this day and age / nowadays

"Par les temps qui courent, il faut être prudent."

🎴 Flashcard Practice Mode

Flip through pronouns to test active recall for 'courir'

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Présent
je

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Answer
cours

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Frequently Asked Questions: COURIR

Is "courir" a regular or irregular verb in French? ▾

"courir" is classified as a Irregular (-ir) verb in French. Its characteristic conjugation pattern is "cours, court, courons / j'ai couru". 3rd group verb. Endings: -s, -s, -t, -ons, -ez, -ent. Future and conditional stems double the 'r' (je courrai). Participle is 'couru'. Takes 'avoir' in passé composé: 'J'ai couru 5 kilomètres' (not être). Future doubles r: 'je courrai'.

What does "courir" mean in English? ▾

In English, "courir" translates primarily to "to run". In natural speech, it is commonly used across CEFR level A2 contexts for everyday communication.

What is the most frequent mistake learners make with "courir"? ▾

A frequent error is saying "Je suis couru ce matin" instead of "J'ai couru ce matin". Why? Courir takes avoir, not être, in compound tenses.

What are common idioms or expressions with "courir"? ▾

A popular idiom is "Courir sur le haricot" which means "To get on someone's nerves" (e.g. "Il commence vraiment à me courir sur le haricot !").

How can I practice and memorize "courir" conjugations? ▾

Use Verbpedia's built-in interactive flashcards, pronounce each form using native Web Speech audio, and complete the instant mini-quiz below. You can also print a distraction-free A4 cheat sheet using the Print button above.

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Quick Practice: Fill in the Blanks

Test your understanding of 'courir' across tenses

Interactive Quiz
Question 1 ()

What is the future simple 1st person singular of courir?

Other Important French Verbs to Study

être Irregular

to be

avoir Irregular

to have / to be (age)

faire Irregular

to do / to make

aller Irregular

to go

pouvoir Irregular

to be able to / can

vouloir Irregular

to want

prendre Irregular

to take / have (food/drink)

voir Irregular

to see / watch

venir Irregular

to come

parler Regular

to speak / talk

devoir Irregular Modal

must / to have to / owe

savoir Irregular

to know (facts / how to do)

croire Irregular 3rd Group

to believe, think

vivre Irregular 3rd Group

to live, exist

mettre Irregular 3rd Group (-ttre)

to put / to place / to set

partir Irregular 3rd Group (-tir)

to leave / to depart

boire Highly Irregular (-re)

to drink

comprendre Irregular (-prendre compound)

to understand / to comprehend / to include

falloir Defective & Impersonal

to be necessary / must / to need

tenir Irregular (-enir group)

to hold / to keep / to take place

lire Irregular (-ire verb)

to read / to interpret

écrire Irregular (-ire verb)

to write / to compose

ouvrir Irregular (-ir conjugated like -er)

to open / to unlock

attendre Regular -re

to wait / to wait for

choisir Regular -ir (2nd Group)

to choose / to select

rendre Regular -re

to return (give back) / to make (render)

laisser Regular -er

to leave (behind) / to let (allow)

mourir Irregular

to die

naître Irregular

to be born

servir Irregular (-ir)

to serve / to be useful

rire Irregular (-re)

to laugh

plaire Irregular (Inverted Syntax)

to please / to appeal to

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