Offrir Conjugation in French: Complete Tenses, Charts, and Usage Guide

Mastering the verb offrir (to offer, to give as a gift, to provide) is essential for anyone learning French. While it is classified as an irregular 3rd-group verb due to its infinitive ending in -ir, it features one of the most famous grammar shortcuts in the French language: in the present tense, it conjugates exactly like a regular -er verb.

In this comprehensive guide, we break down the full conjugation of offrir across all major indicative, subjunctive, and conditional tenses, accompanied by practical examples and pronunciation notes.

1. The Core Secret of "Offrir"

Most French verbs ending in -ir (like finir or choisir) take endings such as -is, -is, -it. However, offrir belongs to an exceptional subgroup along with ouvrir (to open), couvrir (to cover), and souffrir (to suffer).

  • Je drop the -ir and add -e
  • Tu add -es
  • Il/Elle add -e

    • Notice how the present tense stems take standard 1st-group endings:

Its past participle is also irregular: offert (masculine) / offerte (feminine).

2. Complete Conjugation Charts for Offrir

Present Indicative (Présent)

Used for current habits, ongoing actions, and general truths.

  • j'offre – I offer / I give
  • tu offres – you offer (informal singular)
  • il / elle / on offre – he / she / one offers
  • nous offrons – we offer
  • vous offrez – you offer (formal / plural)
  • ils / elles offrent – they offer

Example: « J'offre un café à mon collègue. » (I treat my colleague to a coffee.)

Compound Past (Passé Composé)

Formed with the auxiliary verb avoir and the past participle offert.

  • j'ai offert – I offered / I gave
  • tu as offert – you offered
  • il / elle / on a offert – he / she offered
  • nous avons offert – we offered
  • vous avez offert – you offered
  • ils / elles ont offert – they offered

Example: « Ils ont offert un magnifique cadeau de mariage. » (They gave a wonderful wedding gift.)

Imperfect (Imparfait)

Used for past descriptions, recurring actions, or background settings.

  • j'offrais – I used to offer / was offering
  • tu offrais – you used to offer
  • il / elle offrait – he / she was offering
  • nous offrions – we used to offer
  • vous offriez – you used to offer
  • ils / elles offraient – they used to offer

    • Simple Future (Futur Simple)

Formed by taking the full infinitive offrir- and adding standard future endings.

  • j'offrirai – I will offer
  • tu offriras – you will offer
  • il / elle offrira – he / she will offer
  • nous offrirons – we will offer
  • vous offrirez – you will offer
  • ils / elles offriront – they will offer

    • Present Conditional (Conditionnel Présent)

Used for polite requests, wishes, or hypothetical scenarios.

  • j'offrirais – I would offer
  • tu offrirais – you would offer
  • il / elle offrirait – he / she would offer
  • nous offririons – we would offer
  • vous offririez – you would offer
  • ils / elles offriraient – they would offer

    • Present Subjunctive (Subjonctif Présent)

Triggered by expressions of necessity, desire, emotion, or doubt.

  • que j'offre
  • que tu offres
  • qu'il / elle offre
  • que nous offrions
  • que vous offriez
  • qu'ils / elles offrent

Example: « Il faut que vous lui offriez une seconde chance. » (You must offer him a second chance.)

Imperative (Impératif)

  • Offre ! – Offer! (Notice: No final "s"!)
  • Offrons ! – Let's offer!
  • Offrez ! – Offer! (formal/plural)

    • 3. Common Phrases and Nuances: "Offrir" vs. "Donner"

  • Donner simply means to hand over, transfer, or donate. For example, donner de l'argent (to give money) or donner sa vieille télévision (to give away an old TV).
  • Offrir carries an element of generosity, gifting, or treating someone. For instance, offrir un dîner (to treat someone to dinner) or offrir des fleurs (to gift flowers).

    • English speakers frequently ask whether to use offrir or donner:

    The Reflexive Form: S'offrir

  • « Je m'offre une pause bien méritée. » (I am treating myself to a well-deserved break.)
  • « Nous ne pouvons pas nous offrir cette voiture. » (We cannot afford this car.)

    • When offrir becomes reflexive (s'offrir), it means "to treat oneself" or "to afford":

By practicing these charts and keeping the regular present endings in mind, you will conjugate offrir naturally in any conversation!