The verb haïr follows the same conjugation as regular -IR verbs in Le Présent. However, its stem is slightly irregular.
Have a look at the verb haïr in Le Présent:
Je hais les tomates.
I hate tomatoes.
Tu hais ce groupe.
You hate this band.
Mon frère hait Lady Gaga.
My brother hates Lady Gaga.
Nous haïssons les gens malpolis.
We hate rude people.
Vous haïssez la médiocrité.
You hate mediocrity.
Anna et Gina haïssent aller à l'école.
Annie and Gina hate going to school.
Note that in the first person, je hais, you have no elision as the 'h' is strong = [juh - é].
It could also be confusing pronunciation-wise with j'ai [jé]
ATTENTION! The pronunciation varies between ai [é] versus aï [a-ee]
Learn more about these related French grammar topics
Examples and resources
Q&A Forum 5 questions, 8 answers
haïr vs détester
Hi Michelle,
Both verbs mean 'to hate' but as détester is easier to conjugate than haïr, I think people prefer to use it...
Hope this helps!
Yes, it does, thank you very much. I think haïr is a good one to know, but I'll probably stick with détester for real life use as it does seem to be very colloquial.
haïr vs détester
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So theres no liaison for nous, vous forms. When we say 'nous haissons', we shouldnt stress the 's' in nous?
Hi Aarti,
As the verb 'haïr' (to hate) has what we call, un h aspiré ( h aspirate), we don't make the liaison to show that it is there.
Here are a few examples :
Ce sont des héros = They are heroes. ( the 's' is not pronounced)
J'adore les haricots = I love beans. ( the ''s' is not pronounced)
Il y a une très belle vue en haut de la colline= There's a beautiful view from the top of the hill.
Hope this helps!
So theres no liaison for nous, vous forms. When we say 'nous haissons', we shouldnt stress the 's' in nous?
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problem with haîr
Bonjour Roman !
The conjugations you quoted are for Le Passé Simple, not Le Présent :)
And the accent on the i is not a circumflex î , but a trema ï .
Bonne journée !
problem with haîr
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The pronounciation
Hi Daba,
Je hais and Tu hais have the same pronunciation.
Hope this helps!
The pronounciation
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haïr changes completely in conjugation
Bonjour Ly Fen !
Yes, the verb haïr follows the endings of regular -ir verbs in Le Présent.
Thanks to your question, I've added some precisions to the related lesson, please have a look:
https://progress.lawlessfrench.com/revision/grammar/conjugate-hair-to-hate-in-le-present-present-tense
Merci et à bientôt !
haïr changes completely in conjugation
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