PrepMyFrench
PrepMyFrench
Conjugation directory
Naître is a key verb for discussing origins, birthdays, and beginnings. It is irregular and often appears in biographical contexts in TEF/TCF exams.
Use 'naître' in writing tasks to introduce yourself or describe someone's life story, e.g., 'Je suis né(e) en 1990.'
Elle est née à Paris en 1985.
She was born in Paris in 1985.
Do not confuse 'naître' with 'être né(e)' (to be born); the past participle must agree with the subject in gender and number.
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.
Naître typically uses être 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.