Master the French Verb VENIR and Its Derivatives

French verbs can be tricky, especially when one root gives rise to multiple derivatives. The verb venir is essential in French. Let's look at venir and its derivatives.

The verb venir primarily means to come or to move toward someone or somewhere.

• Example: Je viens te voir demain. → I’m coming to see you tomorrow.

  
  

Common Constructions with the Verb Venir

• Venir de + infinitive → expresses a recent action.

  • Je viens de manger. → I just ate.

• Venir à + infinitive → describes events happening by chance or gradually.

  • Il est venu à comprendre la vérité. → He came to understand the truth.

Key Derivatives of Venir

Understanding derivatives of the verb venir is essential to speak natural French. Each derivative has a unique meaning:

Verb	Meaning	Example
devenir	to become	Il est devenu professeur. → He became a teacher.
revenir	to return	Je reviens dans 5 minutes. → I’ll be back in 5 minutes.
prévenir	to warn or inform	Merci de me prévenir si vous êtes en retard. → Thank you for letting me know if you’re late.
intervenir	to intervene	La police est intervenue rapidement. → The police intervened quickly.
convenir	to suit / to agree	Cette date me convient. → This date works for me.
subvenir	to provide for	Il subvient aux besoins de sa famille. → He provides for his family.
provenir	to come from / originate	Ce vin provient du sud de la France. → This wine comes from the south of France.

Useful Phrases to Practice

Repeat these phrases aloud or write them down to improve your French fluency:

• Je viens de finir mon travail.

• Nous sommes convenus d’un rendez-vous demain.

• Ce fromage provient de Savoie.

• Elle subvient seule aux besoins de sa famille.

• Le médecin est intervenu à temps.

• Il est devenu un excellent cuisinier.

• Je reviens tout de suite, ne bougez pas !

• Pouvez-vous me prévenir si vous changez d’avis ?

• Cette robe me convient parfaitement.

• Cette tradition provient d’un ancien rituel religieux.

Mastering venir and its derivatives helps learners speak naturally in everyday French, understand written and formal French better, and also expand vocabulary for precise and nuanced communication. Regular practice of these verbs will improve comprehension and confidence in speaking French.

The French verb venir is a cornerstone of everyday conversation. Its derivatives devenir, revenir, prévenir, intervenir, convenir, subvenir, and provenir allow you to express ideas clearly and accurately. Practice these verbs, repeat the phrases, and you’ll notice significant improvement in your French fluency!

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If you are ready to take your French to the next level, practice these expressions in real-life conversations. Join our Fourmi Conversations workshops, where you can practice speaking with other learners and get guidance from expert teachers. It’s the perfect way to reinforce what you’ve learned. Find all the info here. Don't miss out on the opportunity to boost your confidence in French!