French Verb 'vaincre': Complete Guide to Meaning, Conjugation & Usage

When it comes to mastering French verbs, "vaincre" is an essential verb to learn. This verb has multiple meanings and uses, making it a valuable addition to any Francophile's vocabulary.

What Does 'vaincre' Mean in French?

The verb "vaincre" can be translated to English as "to conquer," but its meaning goes beyond just physical conquest. It can also mean: * To overcome or triumph over something (e.g., Je vais vaincre mon peur du public - I will overcome my fear of the public) * To succeed or achieve something (e.g., J'ai vaincu le record d'ancienneté - I have set a new record for oldest age)

Conjugation of 'vaincre'

Here's a table showing the conjugation of "vaincre" in different tenses:

Pronoun	Présent	Passé composé	Futur simple
J'.	vaincs	vainquis	vaincrai
Tu.	vainques	vainqués	vainqueras
Il/Elle/On.	vainc	vaincu	vaincra
Nous.	vainquons	vaincus	vaincrions
Vous.	vainquez	vaincus	vaincrez
Ils/Elles.	vaincent	vaincus	vaincront

How to Use 'vaincre' in a Sentence'

Here are six example sentences that demonstrate the different tenses and uses of "vaincre": * J'ai vaincu mon cancer. (I have overcome my cancer) * Nous allons vaincre le record du monde. (We will break the world record) * Il a vaincu son adversaire en finale. (He won his opponent in the final) * J'ai vainque mon peur pour prendre le stage. (I overcame my fear to take the stage) * Ils vont vaincre les difficultés pour atteindre leur objectif. (They will overcome the difficulties to achieve their goal) * Le champion a vaincu son rival en match de tennis. (The champion won his opponent in the tennis match)

Common Expressions and Phrases with 'vaincre'

Here are four idiomatic French expressions that use the verb "vaincre": * Vaincre ses peurs, c'est vaincre soi-même. (To overcome one's fears is to overcome oneself) * Les forces du mal sont-elles vaincues?. (Are evil forces defeated?) * La vie est une bataille que l'on doit vaincre. (Life is a battle that must be won) * Vaincre ou mourir, il n'y a pas d'autre choix. (To conquer or die, there is no other choice)

Tips for Remembering 'vaincre'

Here are two tips to help you remember the verb "vaincre": * Use flashcards to practice the conjugation of "vaincre" in different tenses. * Watch a video or read a story about someone who has overcome a challenge, and try to use the verb "vaincre" in context. Practice the verb vaincre on My-French.com