Conjugate ouvrir/découvrir and derivatives (+ avoir) in the compound past in French (Le Passé Composé)

Learn how to conjugate OUVRIR (to open) in Le Passé Composé (Indicatif) in French

J'ai ouvert la fenêtre il y a une heure.I opened the window an hour ago.

Tu as ouvert le courrier ?Did you open the mail?

On a ouvert nos cadeaux.We opened our presents.
 

Nous avons ouvert ce magasin il y a dix ans.We opened that shop ten years ago.

Vous avez ouvert les yeux à la fin.You opened your eyes at the end.

Les mariés ont ouvert le bal.The married couple opened the ball.
 


In Le Passé Composé (conversational past), the verb ouvrir (to open) has an irregular past participleouvert, and works with avoir as an auxiliary.

avoir in Le Présent + ouvert 

Other verbs ending in "- vrir" follow the same conjugation:

découvrir (to discover) -> découvert
couvrir (to cover) -> couvert
recouvrir (to recover / to cover entirely) -> recouvert
rouvrir / réouvrir (to reopen) -> rouvert / réouvert
redécouvrir (to rediscover) -> redécouvert

See also Conjugate offrir and souffrir (+ avoir) in the compound past in French (Le Passé Composé)

Want to make sure your French sounds confident? We’ll map your knowledge and give you free lessons to focus on your gaps and mistakes. Start your Brainmap today »

Learn more about these related French grammar topics

Examples and resources

Il a ouvert la bouteille.He opened the bottle.
On a ouvert nos cadeaux.We opened our presents.
J'ai découvert le jazz.I discovered jazz.
Ils ont couvert la voiture.They covered the car.
J'ai ouvert la fenêtre il y a une heure.I opened the window an hour ago.
Tu as ouvert le courrier ?Did you open the mail?
Vous avez ouvert les yeux à la fin.You opened your eyes at the end.
Les mariés ont ouvert le bal.The married couple opened the ball.
Nous avons ouvert ce magasin il y a dix ans.We opened that shop ten years ago.
Conjugate ouvrir/découvrir and derivatives (+ avoir) in the compound past in French (Le Passé Composé)
1 of 2
"Tu tes cadeaux." (You opened your presents.)
conjugate "ouvrir" (to open) in the compound past (Passé Composé)

Q&A Forum 1 question, 1 answer

Pekka J.A1Kwiziq community member

Car il fait chaud = because it was hot.

Hi. The sentence refers to the past, so why 'car il fait chaud', which is the present tense, and not the imperfect ' car il fasais chaud'?

Cheers,

Pekka Järvilehto 

Helsinki.



Asked 5 years ago
CécileKwiziq Native French TeacherCorrect answer

Hi Pekka,

Can you give me the full context, please...

Pekka J. asked:

Car il fait chaud = because it was hot.

Hi. The sentence refers to the past, so why 'car il fait chaud', which is the present tense, and not the imperfect ' car il fasais chaud'?

Cheers,

Pekka Järvilehto 

Helsinki.



Sign in to submit your answer

Don't have an account yet? Join today

I'll be right with you...