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Marcher – To Walk, Work, Function

Marcher – To Walk, Work, Function

In French, the verb marcher is has many uses. Translations of marcher include “to walk”, “to work” and “to function”. This post will explore several example sentences using marcher with audio as well as the conjugation in the present tense. Keep reading!

marcher

to walk, work, function

Marcher: to walk, work, function

Marcher – To Walk, Work, Function

Marcher conjugation

Marcher is a regular ER verb. This is means that when conjugated in the present tense, its endings are the same as all other regular ER verbs.

Je marche I walk
Tu marches You walk (singular, informal)
Il, elle, on marche He, she, one walks
Nous marchons We walk
Vous marchez You walk (plural, formal)
Ils, elles marchent They walk

In our first two example sentences, marcher simply translates to “to walk”.

Ralentis un peu ! Ne marche pas si vite !

Slow down! Don’t walk so fast!

J’aime marcher dans le parc le dimanche après-midi.

I like to walk in the park on Sunday afternoons.

The second most common way to use marcher is the context of things and situations “working”. The expression ça marche means “that works”. For example:

On se retrouve demain soir. Ça marche ?

Let’s meet up tomorrow night. Does that work?

Ne vous inquiétez pas. Ça va marcher.

Don’t worry. It’s going to work.

A third and final usage of marcher is “to work” or “to function”, in the context of a machine or motor.

Malheureusement le mixeur ne marche pas ce matin.

Unfortunately, the blender isn’t working this morning.

Expressions with marcher

The verb marcher can be found in lots of French expressions. Here are some examples:

  • Faire marcher quelqu’un à la baguette rule with an iron hand
  • Marcher au radar to run on autopilot
  • Marcher comme sur des roulettes to go (or run) smoothly
  • Marcher du tonnerre to go really well, like a dream
  • Se laisser marcher sur les pieds to let people walk all over you

Conclusion

Et voilà ! You now know the main usages of the French verb marcher. Now check out our post covering another useful verb, bosser (to work, to work hard).

Word of the Day lessons

Example of how to use the French verb "marcher".

Lessons by David Issokson

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David Issokson
David Issokson is a lifelong language learner and speaks over seven languages. Of all the languages he speaks, he's the most passionate about French! David has helped hundreds of students to improve their French in his private lessons. When not teaching or writing his French Word of the Day lessons, David enjoys his time skiing, hiking and mountain biking in Victor, Idaho.

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David Issokson

David Issokson is a lifelong language learner and speaks over seven languages. Of all the languages he speaks, he's the most passionate about French! David has helped hundreds of students to improve their French in his private lessons. When not teaching or writing his French Word of the Day lessons, David enjoys his time skiing, hiking and mountain biking in Victor, Idaho.

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