⏱️ 2 min practice • 🔥 CEFR A2

rire

Irregular (-re) Level A2 ⭐ #66 Most Common

English translation: to laugh

Stem Pattern: ris, rit, rions, riez, rient / ri (participle)
💡 Key Usage Note: Past participle 'ri' is invariable when reflexive ('Ils ont ri', 'Elles se sont ri de lui').
📘 Linguistic Rule: 3rd group verb. The past participle is simply 'ri'. Note double 'i' in nous riions (imparfait).
⚖️ Rire vs Sourire (Laughing vs Smiling)
View SOURIRE →
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Présent

Laughing.

Subject Pronoun Conjugation Audio
je ris
tu ris
il/elle/on rit
nous rions
vous riez
ils/elles rient
💡 Tip: Click any row's audio button to hear native pronunciation
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AI Smart Tutor: 'RIRE' Insights

Linguistic breakdowns & native shortcuts

Smart Tips
🧠 Memory Trick (Mnemonic)

Cognate with 'ridiculous' and 'risible'.

⚠️ Most Common Student Mistake
✗ Don't say: Nous avons ris
✓ Say instead: Nous avons ri

Why: The past participle of rire is 'ri' with no final -s.

🗣️ Essential Native Idioms with 'rire'
Mourir de rire

= To die of laughter (LOL)

"On était morts de rire."

Rire au nez de quelqu'un

= To laugh in someone's face

"Il m'a ri au nez."

🎴 Flashcard Practice Mode

Flip through pronouns to test active recall for 'rire'

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Présent
je

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Answer
ris

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Frequently Asked Questions: RIRE

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

"rire" is classified as a Irregular (-re) verb in French. Its characteristic conjugation pattern is "ris, rit, rions, riez, rient / ri (participle)". 3rd group verb. The past participle is simply 'ri'. Note double 'i' in nous riions (imparfait). Past participle 'ri' is invariable when reflexive ('Ils ont ri', 'Elles se sont ri de lui').

What does "rire" mean in English? ▾

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

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

A frequent error is saying "Nous avons ris" instead of "Nous avons ri". Why? The past participle of rire is 'ri' with no final -s.

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

A popular idiom is "Mourir de rire" which means "To die of laughter (LOL)" (e.g. "On était morts de rire.").

How can I practice and memorize "rire" 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 'rire' across tenses

Interactive Quiz
Question 1 ()

What is the past participle of rire?

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

courir Irregular (-ir)

to run

plaire Irregular (Inverted Syntax)

to please / to appeal to

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