The French verb "mentir" means "to lie" in English. It is an irregular verb. Below you'll find the complete conjugation tables for "mentir" across all 5 tenses. New to French verbs? Start with the French verb guide.
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How to Conjugate "mentir" in the Present Tense
Présent de l'indicatif Actions happening now or regularly| Person | English | Conjugation |
|---|---|---|
| je | I | mens |
| tu | you (informal) | mens |
| il/elle/on | he/she/one | ment |
| nous | we | mentons |
| vous | you (formal/plural) | mentez |
| ils/elles | they | mentent |
Il ment sur son âge.
say it EEL MAHN sewr sohN AHZH
He lies about his age.
In other languages
- German Er lügt über sein Alter.
- Spanish Miente sobre su edad.
- Dutch Hij liegt over zijn leeftijd.
Je mens parfois.
say it ZHUH MAHN par-FWAH
I lie sometimes.
In other languages
- German Ich lüge manchmal.
- Spanish Miento a veces.
- Dutch Ik lieg soms.
How to Conjugate "mentir" in the Past (completed) Tense
Passé composé Actions completed in the past| Person | English | Conjugation |
|---|---|---|
| je | I | ai menti |
| tu | you (informal) | as menti |
| il/elle/on | he/she/one | a menti |
| nous | we | avons menti |
| vous | you (formal/plural) | avez menti |
| ils/elles | they | ont menti |
Il a menti sur son âge.
say it EEL ah MAHN-TEE sewr sohn AHZH
He lied about his age.
In other languages
- German Er hat über sein Alter gelogen.
- Spanish Mintió sobre su edad.
- Dutch Hij loog over zijn leeftijd.
J'ai menti hier.
say it ZHEH MAHN-TEE YEH-R
I lied yesterday.
In other languages
- German Ich habe gestern gelogen.
- Spanish Mentí ayer.
- Dutch Ik loog gisteren.
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Try VerbPal FreeHow to Conjugate "mentir" in the Past (ongoing) Tense
Imparfait Actions that were ongoing in the past| Person | English | Conjugation |
|---|---|---|
| je | I | mentais |
| tu | you (informal) | mentais |
| il/elle/on | he/she/one | mentait |
| nous | we | mentions |
| vous | you (formal/plural) | mentiez |
| ils/elles | they | mentaient |
Il mentait au policier.
say it EEL mahn-TEH OH poh-lee-SYAY
He was lying to the police officer.
In other languages
- German Er log den Polizisten an.
- Spanish Mentía al policía.
- Dutch Hij loog tegen de politieagent.
Je mentais souvent.
say it ZHUH mahn-TEH soo-VAHN
I was lying often.
In other languages
- German Ich log oft.
- Spanish Yo mentía a menudo.
- Dutch Ik loog vaak.
How to Conjugate "mentir" in the Future Tense
Futur simple Actions that will happen| Person | English | Conjugation |
|---|---|---|
| je | I | mentirai |
| tu | you (informal) | mentiras |
| il/elle/on | he/she/one | mentira |
| nous | we | mentirons |
| vous | you (formal/plural) | mentirez |
| ils/elles | they | mentiront |
Il mentira au juge.
say it eel mahn-tee-RAH oh zhooj
He will lie to the judge.
In other languages
- German Er wird den Richter anlügen.
- Spanish Mentirá al juez.
- Dutch Hij zal tegen de rechter liegen.
Je mentirai à mon père.
say it zhuh mahn-tee-REH ah mohn pair
I will lie to my father.
In other languages
- German Ich werde meinen Vater anlügen.
- Spanish Mentiré a mi padre.
- Dutch Ik zal tegen mijn vader liegen.
How to Conjugate "mentir" in the Would (conditional) Tense
Conditionnel présent Hypothetical actions| Person | English | Conjugation |
|---|---|---|
| je | I | mentirais |
| tu | you (informal) | mentirais |
| il/elle/on | he/she/one | mentirait |
| nous | we | mentirions |
| vous | you (formal/plural) | mentiriez |
| ils/elles | they | mentiraient |
Il mentirait sans peur.
say it EEL mahn-tee-RAY sahn PUR
He would lie without fear.
In other languages
- German Er würde ohne Angst lügen.
- Spanish Mentiría sin miedo.
- Dutch Hij zou zonder angst liegen.
Je mentirais pour toi.
say it ZHUH mahn-tee-RAY poor TWAH
I would lie for you.
In other languages
- German Ich würde für dich lügen.
- Spanish Mentiría por ti.
- Dutch Ik zou voor je liegen.
Frequently Asked Questions About "mentir"
Is "mentir" regular or irregular in French?
"Mentir" is an irregular French verb, meaning its conjugation does not follow standard patterns and must be memorized individually.
What does "mentir" mean in English?
The French verb "mentir" means "to lie" in English.
How do you conjugate "mentir" in the present tense?
In the present tense (Présent de l'indicatif): je → mens, tu → mens, il/elle/on → ment, nous → mentons, vous → mentez, ils/elles → mentent.
How many tenses does "mentir" have in French?
"Mentir" is conjugated across 5 tenses in French: Present, Past (completed), Past (ongoing), Future, Would (conditional).
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