Translation
to flow, to run; to sink
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Word origin
From Latin colare ('to strain, to filter'), from colum ('sieve, strainer'). The sense of straining liquid through a mesh widened in French to liquid moving of its own accord. English 'colander' and 'percolate' come from the same root.
- Origin
- Latin
- Root
- colare
- English cognates
- colander, percolate
Grammar
Conjugation
Regular -er conjugation. Pronouns: je, tu, il/elle, nous, vous, ils/elles.
Indicative
| Person | Present | Imperfect | Past historic | Future | Conditional |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| je | coule | coulais | coulai | coulerai | coulerais |
| tu | coules | coulais | coulas | couleras | coulerais |
| il/elle | coule | coulait | coula | coulera | coulerait |
| nous | coulons | coulions | coulâmes | coulerons | coulerions |
| vous | coulez | couliez | coulâtes | coulerez | couleriez |
| ils/elles | coulent | coulaient | coulèrent | couleront | couleraient |
Subjunctive
| Person | Present | Imperfect |
|---|---|---|
| je | coule | coulasse |
| tu | coules | coulasses |
| il/elle | coule | coulât |
| nous | coulions | coulassions |
| vous | couliez | coulassiez |
| ils/elles | coulent | coulassent |
Imperative
| Person | Affirmative |
|---|---|
| tu | coule |
| nous | coulons |
| vous | coulez |
Non-finite
- Gerund / present participle
- coulant
- Past participle
- coulé · coulée · coulés · coulées
Examples
.
The river flows slowly between the fields.
.
The boat sank in a few minutes.
.
Tears were running down her cheeks.
, .
Careful, the tap is still dripping.
.
He ran a hot bath for the children.
Where this fits
Used in
Stories
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French · Free printables
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Free printable study downloads for the French word "couler" (to flow, to run; to sink): 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 week (no card)This word is taught in chapter 18, lesson 7: couler, endormir, joindre and 7 more words.