Translation
to have to, must; duty; homework (les devoirs)
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Word origin
From Latin debere ('to owe, be obliged'), from de- ('from') and habere ('to have'), so originally 'to have from someone'.
- Origin
- Latin
- Root
- debere
- English cognates
- debt, debit, due
Grammar
Conjugation
Regular french-irregular conjugation. Pronouns: je, tu, il/elle, nous, vous, ils/elles.
Indicative
| Person | Present | Imperfect | Past historic | Future | Conditional |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| je | dois | devais | dus | devrai | devrais |
| tu | dois | devais | dus | devras | devrais |
| il/elle | doit | devait | dut | devra | devrait |
| nous | devons | devions | dûmes | devrons | devrions |
| vous | devez | deviez | dûtes | devrez | devriez |
| ils/elles | doivent | devaient | durent | devront | devraient |
Subjunctive
| Person | Present | Imperfect |
|---|---|---|
| je | doive | dusse |
| tu | doives | dusses |
| il/elle | doive | dût |
| nous | devions | dussions |
| vous | deviez | dussiez |
| ils/elles | doivent | dussent |
Imperative
| Person | Affirmative |
|---|---|
| tu | dois |
| nous | devons |
| vous | devez |
Non-finite
- Gerund / present participle
- devant
- Past participle
- dû · due · dus · dues
Examples
, .
I have to leave now, I am already late.
.
You must do your homework before going out.
.
Everyone must take their responsibilities seriously.
.
You must finish your homework before dinner.
.
We have to leave early to avoid the traffic.
Where this fits
Used in
Stories
(16)Entretien pour un petit boulot
2 min read · Core 5000
Rendez-vous chez le docteur
2 min read · Core 5000
Cuisiner ensemble
3 min read · Core 1000
Le coup de téléphone
3 min read · Core 1000
Le nouveau voisin
3 min read · Core 1000
Stage ou voyage ?
3 min read · Core 5000
Un week-end à la ferme
3 min read · Core 5000
Adieu, madame Rochat
5 min read · Core 5000
J'aime bien ranger
5 min read · Core 5000
Je ne conduis pas de train
5 min read · Core 5000
Le parcours était mal fait
5 min read · Core 5000
Mais vous, oui
5 min read · Core 5000
Même pas à moi
5 min read · Core 5000
Paper Walls
5 min read · Core 5000
Pas encore
5 min read · Core 5000
Si j'avais su
5 min read · Core 5000
Grammar articles
(18)Advanced French Grammar (C1-C2): Constructions to Master
French Conditional Tense (Conditionnel): Endings and Uses
Regular -ir Verbs in French: Present Tense Conjugation
French Conjugation: Tables for Every Tense and Group
Futur Antérieur in French: The Future Perfect Tense
French Future Tense: Futur Simple vs Futur Proche
French Irregular Verbs: List, Chart and the Patterns
French Modal Verbs: pouvoir, vouloir, devoir, savoir
French Nominalisation: le déjeuner, le vieux, le français
Passé Composé vs Imparfait: Choosing the French Past Tense
French Passé Composé: Formation and Conjugation Tables
French Passé Simple (Past Historic): How to Recognise It
French Perfect Infinitive: après avoir fini, être parti
French Reflexive Verbs: List, Pronouns and Conjugation
Should Have in French: j'aurais dû, tu aurais pu
French Imperfect Subjunctive (Subjonctif Imparfait): Recognise It
French Present Subjunctive Conjugation Tables and Irregulars
French Verbs Followed by à or de: The Infinitive Lists
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French · Free printables
devoir: worksheet, infographic and listicle
Free printable study downloads for the French word "devoir" (to have to, must; duty; homework (les devoirs)): a worksheet with the answer key built in, an infographic, and a sentence listicle. Open any one to view, print or save.
This word is taught in chapter 2, lesson 5: devoir, non, avec and 11 more words.