Translation
to burn, to be alight
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Word origin
From Old French brusler, whose exact source is disputed; all accounts agree it reached French from a Vulgar Latin verb of scorching, with a possible Germanic contribution.
- Origin
- Old French
- Root
- brusler
Other proposed origins
- Most often traced to a Vulgar Latin brustulare, a blend of Latin ustulare ('to scorch, to singe') with a Germanic element. (Vulgar Latin, brustulare)
- Some accounts derive it from Latin ustulare alone, crossed later with a Frankish verb meaning 'to burn'. (Latin, ustulare)
Grammar
Conjugation
Regular -er conjugation. Pronouns: je, tu, il/elle, nous, vous, ils/elles.
Indicative
| Person | Present | Imperfect | Past historic | Future | Conditional |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| je | brûle | brûlais | brûlai | brûlerai | brûlerais |
| tu | brûles | brûlais | brûlas | brûleras | brûlerais |
| il/elle | brûle | brûlait | brûla | brûlera | brûlerait |
| nous | brûlons | brûlions | brûlâmes | brûlerons | brûlerions |
| vous | brûlez | brûliez | brûlâtes | brûlerez | brûleriez |
| ils/elles | brûlent | brûlaient | brûlèrent | brûleront | brûleraient |
Subjunctive
| Person | Present | Imperfect |
|---|---|---|
| je | brûle | brûlasse |
| tu | brûles | brûlasses |
| il/elle | brûle | brûlât |
| nous | brûlions | brûlassions |
| vous | brûliez | brûlassiez |
| ils/elles | brûlent | brûlassent |
Imperative
| Person | Affirmative |
|---|---|
| tu | brûle |
| nous | brûlons |
| vous | brûlez |
Non-finite
- Gerund / present participle
- brûlant
- Past participle
- brûlé · brûlée · brûlés · brûlées
Examples
, casserole.
Careful, you are going to burn your fingers on that pan.
.
The old barn burnt down during the night.
.
The sun is really burning down this afternoon.
.
I let the cake burn while answering the phone.
.
He jumped a red light and the police stopped him.
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French · Free printables
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Free printable study downloads for the French word "brûler" (to burn, to be alight): a worksheet with the answer key built in, an infographic, and a sentence listicle. Open any one to view, print or save.
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Start your free weekThis word is taught in chapter 11, lesson 6: brûler, signifier, compagnie and 7 more words.