PrepMyFrench
PrepMyFrench
Conjugation directory
Rester is a fundamental verb for describing location and duration, commonly used in everyday conversations. It is a must-know for the TEF/TCF Canada exam, especially in the listening and reading sections.
Use 'rester' with 'à' to indicate staying at a place, e.g., 'Je reste à la maison' in the speaking section.
Nous sommes restés à l'hôtel pendant trois jours.
We stayed at the hotel for three days.
Remember that 'rester' uses 'être' as its auxiliary verb in compound tenses, not 'avoir'.
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.
Rester 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.