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The English word "come" translates to "venir" in French. This fundamental verb of motion is essential for everyday communication and appears in numerous contexts, from simple arrivals to complex idiomatic expressions.
Definition: "Venir" means to move toward or arrive at a place where the speaker is or will be. It indicates movement from elsewhere to the point of reference.
FAQ Schema Q: What does "come" mean in French? A: "Come" translates to "venir" in French. It is an irregular verb meaning to move toward the speaker's location or a specified destination.
In this lesson, we will explore "venir" through 15 varied examples, demonstrating its usage in different tenses, contexts, and positions within sentences. You'll encounter it in commands, questions, statements, and various grammatical constructions that will help you master this essential French verb.
Educational Schema Course: French for English Speakers Level: Beginner to Intermediate Topic: Verb of Motion - "venir" (to come) Type: Language Learning Material Format: Structured Reading Lesson with Interlinear Translation
Key Takeaways: -
"Venir" is an irregular verb requiring memorization of its conjugations -
It uses "être" as its auxiliary verb in compound tenses -
The verb changes meaning when combined with different prepositions -
Past participle "venu" agrees with the subject when using "être" -
Common expressions include "venir de" (to have just) and "venir à" (to come to)
61.1 Elle She vient comes souvent often chez to nous us
61.2 Venez Come avec with moi me au to-the marché market
61.3 Les The enfants children viendront will-come après after l'école the-school
61.4 Je I suis am venu come te you voir to-see
61.5 D'où From-where viens come -tu you ? ?
61.6 Nous We venons come de from Paris Paris
61.7 Il He vient comes de just partir to-leave
61.8 Mes My amis friends sont are venus come hier yesterday
61.9 Viens Come ici here tout right de of suite away
61.10 Elles They viennent come toujours always en by retard late
61.11 Quand When viendrez will-come -vous you nous us rendre to-give visite visit ? ?
61.12 Le The printemps spring vient comes après after l'hiver the-winter
61.13 Si If tu you viens come demain tomorrow , , apporte bring le the livre book
61.14 Ils They ne not sont are pas not venus come à to la the fête party
61.15 Le The médecin doctor viendra will-come dans in une one heure hour
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61.1 Elle vient souvent chez nous. She often comes to our house.
61.2 Venez avec moi au marché. Come with me to the market.
61.3 Les enfants viendront après l'école. The children will come after school.
61.4 Je suis venu te voir. I came to see you.
61.5 D'où viens-tu? Where do you come from?
61.6 Nous venons de Paris. We come from Paris.
61.7 Il vient de partir. He has just left.
61.8 Mes amis sont venus hier. My friends came yesterday.
61.9 Viens ici tout de suite! Come here right away!
61.10 Elles viennent toujours en retard. They always come late.
61.11 Quand viendrez-vous nous rendre visite? When will you come to visit us?
61.12 Le printemps vient après l'hiver. Spring comes after winter.
61.13 Si tu viens demain, apporte le livre. If you come tomorrow, bring the book.
61.14 Ils ne sont pas venus à la fête. They didn't come to the party.
61.15 Le médecin viendra dans une heure. The doctor will come in an hour.
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61.1 Elle vient souvent chez nous.
61.2 Venez avec moi au marché.
61.3 Les enfants viendront après l'école.
61.4 Je suis venu te voir.
61.5 D'où viens-tu?
61.6 Nous venons de Paris.
61.7 Il vient de partir.
61.8 Mes amis sont venus hier.
61.9 Viens ici tout de suite!
61.10 Elles viennent toujours en retard.
61.11 Quand viendrez-vous nous rendre visite?
61.12 Le printemps vient après l'hiver.
61.13 Si tu viens demain, apporte le livre.
61.14 Ils ne sont pas venus à la fête.
61.15 Le médecin viendra dans une heure.
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Venir is an irregular verb in French, meaning its conjugations don't follow standard patterns and must be memorized. It belongs to the third group of French verbs and is one of the most important verbs of motion.
je viens (I come) tu viens (you come - informal) il/elle/on vient (he/she/one comes) nous venons (we come) vous venez (you come - formal/plural) ils/elles viennent (they come)
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Auxiliary Verb: Venir uses "être" (not "avoir") in compound tenses. This means the past participle must agree with the subject: -
Elle est venue (She came) - feminine singular -
Ils sont venus (They came) - masculine plural -
Elles sont venues (They came) - feminine plural -
Stem Changes: The stem changes from "ven-" to "vien-" in singular forms and third person plural of present tense. -
Past Participle: venu/venue/venus/venues (depending on agreement) -
Future Stem: viendr- (je viendrai, tu viendras, etc.)
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Using "avoir" instead of "être": -
WRONG: J'ai venu -
CORRECT: Je suis venu -
Forgetting past participle agreement: -
WRONG: Elle est venu -
CORRECT: Elle est venue -
Confusing "venir de" constructions: -
"Venir de + infinitive" means "to have just done something" -
"Venir de + place" means "to come from somewhere" -
Incorrect stem in present tense: -
WRONG: je vens -
CORRECT: je viens
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Identify the subject of your sentence -
Choose the appropriate tense -
If using compound tense, remember to use "être" -
Make the past participle agree with the subject (in compound tenses) -
Add any necessary prepositions (de, à, chez, etc.)
Unlike English "come," which has simple conjugations (come/comes/came), French "venir" changes significantly for each person. English uses "have" for perfect tenses ("I have come"), while French uses "être" ("Je suis venu"). English doesn't require gender agreement, but French does.
Simple Tenses: -
Present: viens, viens, vient, venons, venez, viennent -
Imperfect: venais, venais, venait, venions, veniez, venaient -
Future: viendrai, viendras, viendra, viendrons, viendrez, viendront -
Conditional: viendrais, viendrais, viendrait, viendrions, viendriez, viendraient
Compound Tenses (all use être): -
Passé Composé: suis venu(e), es venu(e), est venu(e), sommes venu(e)s, êtes venu(e)(s), sont venu(e)s -
Plus-que-parfait: étais venu(e), étais venu(e), était venu(e), étions venu(e)s, étiez venu(e)(s), étaient venu(e)s
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In French culture, the verb "venir" extends beyond its literal meaning and appears in numerous social contexts that English speakers should understand.
Social Invitations: The French often use "venir" in more formal ways than English speakers use "come." For instance, "Venez dîner chez nous" (Come have dinner at our place) is a genuine invitation that expects a response, not a casual suggestion.
Time Expressions: The construction "venir de" + infinitive is uniquely French and doesn't translate directly to English. It expresses immediate past action: "Je viens de manger" (I just ate). This construction is used frequently in everyday conversation.
Regional Variations: In Quebec French, you might hear "s'en venir" (to be coming) more frequently than in France. Southern French speakers might pronounce the final consonants more clearly in "ils viennent."
Politeness Levels: The imperative "Venez!" is more polite than "Viens!" Understanding when to use formal versus informal forms is crucial in French society. Using "tu" forms with strangers or authority figures can be considered rude.
Idiomatic Expressions: -
"Venir au monde" (to be born - literally "to come to the world") -
"En venir aux mains" (to come to blows) -
"Voir venir" (to wait and see - literally "to see coming")
These expressions show how deeply "venir" is embedded in French thought patterns, often in ways that don't correspond to English usage of "come."
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From "Le Petit Prince" by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
"Si tu viens, par exemple, à quatre heures de l'après-midi, dès trois heures je commencerai d'être heureux. Plus l'heure avancera, plus je me sentirai heureux."
Si If tu you viens come , , par for exemple example , , à at quatre four heures hours de of l'après-midi the-afternoon , , dès from trois three heures hours je I commencerai will-begin d'être to-be heureux happy . . Plus More l'heure the-hour avancera will-advance , , plus more je I me myself sentirai will-feel heureux happy . .
"Si tu viens, par exemple, à quatre heures de l'après-midi, dès trois heures je commencerai d'être heureux. Plus l'heure avancera, plus je me sentirai heureux."
"If you come, for example, at four in the afternoon, from three o'clock I will begin to be happy. The closer the hour approaches, the happier I will feel."
This passage from "The Little Prince" beautifully illustrates the anticipation of someone's arrival. Saint-Exupéry uses "venir" to show how the mere promise of someone coming creates joy even before their arrival. The conditional "si tu viens" sets up a hypothetical situation that reveals the fox's deep attachment to routine and anticipation.
The passage demonstrates several important uses of "venir": -
"Si tu viens" - conditional clause using present tense after "si" -
The verb appears in its familiar "tu" form, showing the intimacy between the fox and the prince -
Time expressions with "à" (à quatre heures) show when the coming will occur -
The future tense in the result clause (commencerai, avancera, sentirai) shows what will happen if the condition is met
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61.16 Le The train train vient comes d'arriver to-arrive à at la the gare station de of Lyon Lyon
61.17 Nous We sommes are venus come en in France France pour for découvrir to-discover les the châteaux castles de of la the Loire Loire
61.18 Chaque Each matin morning , , les the touristes tourists viennent come admirer to-admire la the vue view depuis from la the tour tower Eiffel Eiffel
61.19 Mon My ami friend japonais Japanese viendra will-come me me rejoindre to-join à in Marseille Marseille la the semaine week prochaine next
61.20 Les The voyageurs travelers viennent come du from-the monde world entier entire pour to visiter visit le the Louvre Louvre
61.21 Si If vous you venez come en in été summer , , vous you verrez will-see les the champs fields de of lavande lavender en in Provence Provence
61.22 Elle She est is venue come seule alone faire to-do le the pèlerinage pilgrimage de of Saint-Jacques Saint-James de of Compostelle Compostela
61.23 Les The alpinistes mountaineers viennent come défier to-challenge le the Mont Mount Blanc Blanc chaque each année year
61.24 D'où From-where viennent come ces these randonneurs hikers fatigués tired ? ? Ils They viennent come de from traverser to-cross les the Pyrénées Pyrenees
61.25 Quand When je I suis am venu come à to Paris Paris pour for la the première first fois time , , j'avais I-had vingt twenty ans years
61.26 Les The bateaux boats de of croisière cruise viennent come accoster to-dock au at-the port port de of Nice Nice tous all les the matins mornings
61.27 Venez Come explorer to-explore les the grottes caves préhistoriques prehistoric de of Lascaux Lascaux avec with un a guide guide expert expert
61.28 Ils They ne not sont are jamais never venus come en to Europe Europe avant before ce this voyage trip
61.29 Le The guide guide viendra will-come vous you chercher to-fetch à at votre your hôtel hotel à at huit eight heures hours précises precise
61.30 Nous We venons come de just réserver to-book nos our billets tickets pour for venir to-come skier to-ski dans in les the Alpes Alps
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61.16 Le train vient d'arriver à la gare de Lyon. The train has just arrived at Lyon station.
61.17 Nous sommes venus en France pour découvrir les châteaux de la Loire. We came to France to discover the Loire castles.
61.18 Chaque matin, les touristes viennent admirer la vue depuis la tour Eiffel. Every morning, tourists come to admire the view from the Eiffel Tower.
61.19 Mon ami japonais viendra me rejoindre à Marseille la semaine prochaine. My Japanese friend will come to join me in Marseille next week.
61.20 Les voyageurs viennent du monde entier pour visiter le Louvre. Travelers come from all over the world to visit the Louvre.
61.21 Si vous venez en été, vous verrez les champs de lavande en Provence. If you come in summer, you will see the lavender fields in Provence.
61.22 Elle est venue seule faire le pèlerinage de Saint-Jacques de Compostelle. She came alone to do the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage.
61.23 Les alpinistes viennent défier le Mont Blanc chaque année. Mountaineers come to challenge Mont Blanc every year.
61.24 D'où viennent ces randonneurs fatigués? Ils viennent de traverser les Pyrénées. Where do these tired hikers come from? They have just crossed the Pyrenees.
61.25 Quand je suis venu à Paris pour la première fois, j'avais vingt ans. When I came to Paris for the first time, I was twenty years old.
61.26 Les bateaux de croisière viennent accoster au port de Nice tous les matins. Cruise ships come to dock at the port of Nice every morning.
61.27 Venez explorer les grottes préhistoriques de Lascaux avec un guide expert. Come explore the prehistoric caves of Lascaux with an expert guide.
61.28 Ils ne sont jamais venus en Europe avant ce voyage. They have never come to Europe before this trip.
61.29 Le guide viendra vous chercher à votre hôtel à huit heures précises. The guide will come to pick you up at your hotel at eight o'clock sharp.
61.30 Nous venons de réserver nos billets pour venir skier dans les Alpes. We have just booked our tickets to come skiing in the Alps.
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61.16 Le train vient d'arriver à la gare de Lyon.
61.17 Nous sommes venus en France pour découvrir les châteaux de la Loire.
61.18 Chaque matin, les touristes viennent admirer la vue depuis la tour Eiffel.
61.19 Mon ami japonais viendra me rejoindre à Marseille la semaine prochaine.
61.20 Les voyageurs viennent du monde entier pour visiter le Louvre.
61.21 Si vous venez en été, vous verrez les champs de lavande en Provence.
61.22 Elle est venue seule faire le pèlerinage de Saint-Jacques de Compostelle.
61.23 Les alpinistes viennent défier le Mont Blanc chaque année.
61.24 D'où viennent ces randonneurs fatigués? Ils viennent de traverser les Pyrénées.
61.25 Quand je suis venu à Paris pour la première fois, j'avais vingt ans.
61.26 Les bateaux de croisière viennent accoster au port de Nice tous les matins.
61.27 Venez explorer les grottes préhistoriques de Lascaux avec un guide expert.
61.28 Ils ne sont jamais venus en Europe avant ce voyage.
61.29 Le guide viendra vous chercher à votre hôtel à huit heures précises.
61.30 Nous venons de réserver nos billets pour venir skier dans les Alpes.
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Purpose Expressions: When expressing purpose in travel contexts, "venir" often combines with "pour" + infinitive: -
"venir pour visiter" (to come to visit) -
"venir découvrir" (to come discover)
Origin and Destination: Travel narratives frequently use: -
"venir de" + place = to come from -
"venir à/en" + place = to come to -
"venir de" + infinitive = to have just (done something)
Time References in Travel: -
"venir en été/hiver" (to come in summer/winter) -
"la première fois que je suis venu" (the first time I came) -
"venir + time expression" for scheduled arrivals
Common Travel Combinations: -
venir chercher (to come pick up) -
venir rejoindre (to come join) -
venir accoster (to come dock) -
venir explorer (to come explore)
Agreement in Travel Narratives: Remember that with movement verbs using être, adjectives must agree: -
"Elle est venue seule" (She came alone) -
"Ils sont venus ensemble" (They came together)
Imperative in Tourism: The imperative is common in travel advertisements and guides: -
"Venez découvrir!" (Come discover!) -
"Venez explorer!" (Come explore!)
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This lesson is part of the Latinum Institute's comprehensive language learning series, designed specifically for autodidacts seeking to master foreign languages through structured, self-paced study.
The Method: Drawing from classical language pedagogy and modern comprehension techniques, these lessons employ interlinear translation (construed text) to help learners build vocabulary and understand grammatical structures naturally. This method, documented at latinum.substack.com and latinum.org.uk, has proven effective for independent learners since 2006.
Course Creator: Evan der Millner BA MA (Cantab. NZ, London) has been pioneering online language learning materials since 2006. His work with the Latinum Institute focuses on making classical and modern language learning accessible to self-directed students worldwide.
Key Features: -
Granular word-by-word analysis in Section A for beginners -
Natural syntax progression from interlinear to authentic text -
Cultural and literary context to deepen understanding -
Genre-based practice for real-world application -
No truncation - complete lessons for immediate study
Student Reviews: The effectiveness of this approach is reflected in testimonials available at https://uk.trustpilot.com/review/latinum.org.uk
Additional Resources: For those seeking audio support and extended practice materials, selected audio content is available to paid subscribers at patreon.com/latinum
Learning Philosophy: These lessons recognize that autodidacts need comprehensive, self-contained materials that don't require external explanation. Each lesson provides everything needed to understand and practice the target language element, from basic meaning to advanced literary usage.
The consistent format across all lessons allows students to develop efficient study habits while the varied content maintains engagement and exposes learners to authentic language use across multiple contexts.
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