French Verb 'calculer': Complete Guide to Meaning, Conjugation & Usage
The French verb "calculer" is a versatile and essential verb that means "to calculate" or "to reckon". It's commonly used in everyday conversations, making it a crucial verb for any French learner to master. In this article, we'll dive deep into the meaning, conjugation, and usage of "calculer", as well as explore common expressions and phrases that incorporate this verb.
What Does 'calculer' Mean in French?
The primary meaning of "calculer" is to perform a mathematical calculation or to figure out a problem. For example:
*
J'ai calculé le coût du projet. (I calculated the cost of the project.)
*
Ils ont calculé les chances de gagner. (They calculated the chances of winning.)
However, "calculer" can also mean to think carefully about something or to make an estimate. For instance:
*
J'ai calculé que je pourrais arriver à temps. (I estimated that I could arrive on time.)
*
Ils ont calculé qu'il fallait plus de temps. (They calculated that they needed more time.)
Conjugation of 'calculer'
| Pronoun |
Present |
Passé composé |
Futur simple |
| Jeg (I) |
calcule |
j'ai calculé |
j'aurai calculé |
| Tu (You) |
calcules |
tu as calculé |
tu auras calculé |
|
| calcule |
| Nous (We) |
calculons |
nous avons calculé |
nous aurons calculé |
| Vous (You plural) |
calculez |
vous avez calculé |
vous aurez calculé |
| Ils/elles (They) |
calculent |
How to Use 'calculer' in a Sentence?
Here are six example sentences that demonstrate how to use "calculer" in different contexts:
*
J'ai calculé le montant de l'honorarium. (I calculated the amount of the honorarium.)
* Ils ont calculé les coûts de production.
* J'essaie de calculer le temps que je vais prendre pour arriver à Paris. (I'm trying to calculate the time it will take for me to arrive in Paris.)
*
* J'ai calculé les chances de réussite de mon projet. (I calculated the chances of success of my project.)
* Ils calculent le coût des matières premières.
Common Expressions and Phrases with 'calculer'
Here are four idiomatic French expressions that use "calculer":
* Faire des calculs: To make plans or think carefully about something. (Je vais faire des calculs pour choisir le bon restaurant.)
* Trier les cartes: To weigh the pros and cons of a situation. (Ils doivent trier les cartes avant de prendre une décision.)
* Calculer ses chances: To estimate one's chances of success or failure. (J'ai calculé mes chances de réussite pour ce concours.)
* Faire des erreurs de calcul: To make a mistake or miscalculate something. (Ils ont fait des erreurs de calcul dans leur budget.)
Tips for Remembering 'calculer'
Here are three memory tricks to help you remember how to use "calculer":
* Practice the present tense conjugation by repeating calcule, calcules, calcule, etc.
* Use flashcards to memorize common phrases and expressions that incorporate "calculer".
* Listen to native speakers using "calculer" in context, and try to repeat the sentences yourself.
Practice the verb calculer on My-French.com
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