craindre
Irregular in -aindre Level B1 ⭐ #52 Most CommonEnglish translation: to fear / to dread
Present (Présent)
Fearing now.
| Subject Pronoun | Conjugation | Audio |
|---|---|---|
| je | crains | |
| tu | crains | |
| il/elle/on | craint | |
| nous | craignons | |
| vous | craignez | |
| ils/elles | craignent |
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Frequently Asked Questions: CRAINDRE
Is "craindre" a regular or irregular verb in French? ▾
"craindre" is classified as a Irregular in -aindre verb in French. Its characteristic conjugation pattern is "Stem shifts: crain- (singular) / craign- (plural & subjunctive)". Singular: je crains, tu crains, il craint. Plural nasal palatalization: nous craignons, vous craignez, ils craignent. Past participle: craint. Verbs ending in -aindre (peindre, plaindre, craindre) develop a 'gn' sound in the plural.
What does "craindre" mean in English? ▾
In English, "craindre" translates primarily to "to fear / to dread". In natural speech, it is commonly used across CEFR level B1 contexts for everyday communication.
What is the most frequent mistake learners make with "craindre"? ▾
A frequent error is saying "Nous crainons le froid" instead of "Nous craignons le froid". Why? -aindre verbs adopt the 'gn' stem in plural: nous craignons.
What are common idioms or expressions with "craindre"? ▾
A popular idiom is "Ça craint" which means "That sucks / that's shady or dangerous (Informal)" (e.g. "Ce quartier la nuit, franchement ça craint.").
How can I practice and memorize "craindre" 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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to be
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to do / to make
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to speak / talk
must / to have to / owe
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to believe, think
to live, exist
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to be necessary / must / to need
to hold / to keep / to take place
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to write / to compose
to open / to unlock
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to choose / to select
to return (give back) / to make (render)
to leave (behind) / to let (allow)
to die
to be born
to serve / to be useful
to run
to laugh
to please / to appeal to
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