PrepMyFrench
PrepMyFrench
Conjugation directory
Avouer is a key verb for expressing honesty or guilt in French, often used in formal or emotional contexts. Mastering it helps you convey admissions or confessions clearly in writing or speech.
Use avouer in TEF/TCF speaking to admit a mistake or share a personal truth, e.g., 'J'avoue que j'ai oublié mon rendez-vous.'
Il a avoué son erreur devant tout le monde.
He admitted his mistake in front of everyone.
Do not confuse avouer with 'avouer à' (to confess to someone) — it requires the preposition 'à' before the person, e.g., 'avouer à son ami'.
Use the table above and the related links below to pin the pattern down before you move on to other verbs.
Start with the present tense, then the passé composé. Those two forms carry most everyday conversation and make the rest of the table easier to recognise.
Avouer typically uses avoir in compound tenses. Check the table above and keep the past participle in view when you move into compound forms.
Use the related links below and then open the interactive conjugator to compare this verb with others you use often.