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

When it comes to mastering the French language, one of the most essential verbs to grasp is "voler". This verb has multiple meanings and conjugations that can be daunting for beginners. However, with a solid understanding of its meaning, conjugation, and usage, you'll be well on your way to fluency.

What Does 'voler' Mean in French?

The verb "voler" has several meanings depending on the context. Here are three of the most common: * To fly: This is perhaps the most literal meaning of the verb. For example, "le pigeon vole dans le ciel" means "the pigeon flies in the sky". * To steal: In this sense, "voler" means to take something without permission or payment. For instance, "elle a volé mon portefeuille" means "she stole my wallet". * To swoop up or gather (in small quantities): This meaning is often used in cooking and agriculture. For example, "les abeilles volent le miel" means "the bees gather honey".

Conjugation of 'voler'

Here's a conjugation table for the verb "voler":

Pronoun	Présent	Passé composé	Futur simple
J'.	vol	j'ai volé	je vais voler
Tu.	vole	tu as volé	tu vas voler
Ils/Elles.	volent	ils ont volé
Nous.	voulons	nous avons volé	nous allons voler
Vous.	vollez	vous allez voler
Ils/Elles.	volent	ils ont volé

How to Use 'voler' in a Sentence

Here are six example sentences that demonstrate the various meanings and conjugations of the verb "voler": * "le petit avion vole très haut dans le ciel" (The small airplane flies very high in the sky) * "elle a volé mon portefeuille hier soir" (She stole my wallet last night) * "les abeilles volent le miel du champ de fleurs" (The bees gather honey from the flower field) * "le corbeau vole les miettes du jardin " (The crow swoops up the crumbs from the garden) * "ils vont voler un hélicoptère pour une nouvelle mission " (They're going to steal a helicopter for their new mission) * "nous devons voler des billets d'avion pour le week-end" (We need to book plane tickets for the weekend)

Common Expressions and Phrases with 'voler'

Here are four idiomatic French expressions using the verb "voler": * "prendre son courage à vol d'oiseau " means "to take a deep breath" or "to gather one's courage" * "faire quelque chose à l'oeil de vol " means "to do something on a whim" or "to do something spontaneously" * "mettre la main à la pâte pour ne pas laisser quelque chose vous voler " means "to take matters into one's own hands" or "to not let someone get away with something" * "c'est comme si on volait les étoiles " means "it's as if we're stealing the stars" and is often used to describe a situation that feels magical or extraordinary

Tips for Remembering 'voler'

Here are three tips to help you remember the verb "voler": * Practice the present tense conjugation with flashcards or by writing out sentences in your notebook. * Focus on the past tense conjugation and try to use it in context. For example, "j'ai volé mon livre hier" (I stole my book yesterday). * Use mnemonics to help you remember the different meanings of the verb. For example, you can think of a bird flying (to fly) or a thief stealing something (to steal). Practice the verb voler on My-French.com