Sortir Verb Conjugation: Every French Tense Explained With Translations & Examples
In case you’re searching for sortir verb Conjugation, you’re dealing with a highly versatile French verb that changes meaning depending on context and auxiliary choice. It is one of DR MRS VANDERTRAMP verbs. Sortir is used to talk about going out, leaving, taking something out, publishing, or even dating. This guide explains every tense and mood clearly, with natural translations and real-life examples that show how French actually works.
Let’s begin by understanding what makes sortir different from many other verbs.
What You Need To Know Before Conjugating Sortir
Sortir generally means to go out, to leave, or to take out. It uses avoir when there is a direct object and être when it expresses movement out of a place without a direct object. When être is used, the past participle sorti agrees in gender and number.
This auxiliary switch directly affects meaning.
Indicative Mood
The indicative mood is used for facts, real actions, habits, and concrete situations.
Present Tense (Présent)
The present tense is used to describe actions happening now, habitual outings, or general statements. In English, sortir usually translates as “go out,” “leave,” or “am/is/are going out.”
| Subject | Conjugation | English Translation |
|---|---|---|
| Je | sors | I go out / I am going out |
| Tu | sors | you go out / you are going out |
| Il / Elle / On | sort | he / she goes out |
| Nous | sortons | we go out / we are going out |
| Vous | sortez | you go out / you are going out |
| Ils / Elles | sortent | they go out / they are going out |
Examples:
- Je sors ce soir. → I’m going out tonight.
- Elle sort rarement. → She rarely goes out.
- Ils sortent ensemble. → They are going out together.
To describe repeated or ongoing exits in the past, French uses another tense.
Imperfect Tense (Imparfait)
The imperfect tense is used for ongoing past actions, habits, or background descriptions. In English, it often translates as “was going out” or “used to go out.”
| Subject | Conjugation | English Translation |
|---|---|---|
| Je | sortais | I was going out / I used to go out |
| Tu | sortais | you were going out |
| Il / Elle / On | sortait | he / she was going out |
| Nous | sortions | we were going out |
| Vous | sortiez | you were going out |
| Ils / Elles | sortaient | they were going out |
Examples:
- Je sortais tous les week-ends. → I used to go out every weekend.
- Elle sortait tard le soir. → She was going out late at night.
- Ils sortaient souvent. → They often went out.
To express a completed exit or action, French uses the passé composé.
Passé Composé (Avoir Or Être)
The passé composé expresses completed actions. Sortir uses avoir when followed by a direct object and être when it expresses leaving a place without one. This distinction is essential for meaning.
| Structure | Conjugation | English Translation |
|---|---|---|
| Avoir | j’ai sorti | I took out |
| Être | je suis sorti(e) | I went out |
Examples:
- J’ai sorti les poubelles. → I took out the trash.
- Elle est sortie à midi. → She went out at noon.
- Nous avons sorti le livre. → We took out the book.
When an action happened before another past event, French uses a different tense.
Plus-Que-Parfait
The plus-que-parfait shows that an action had already happened before another past action. In English, it usually translates as “had gone out” or “had taken out.”
| Structure | Conjugation | English Translation |
|---|---|---|
| Avoir | j’avais sorti | I had taken out |
| Être | j’étais sorti(e) | I had gone out |
Examples:
- J’avais sorti les documents. → I had taken out the documents.
- Elle était sortie trop tôt. → She had gone out too early.
- Nous avions sorti la voiture. → We had taken out the car.
Some tenses mainly appear in literature.
Passé Simple (Rare – Literary)
The passé simple is not used in spoken French. It appears mainly in novels and formal narratives.
| Subject | Conjugation | English Translation |
|---|---|---|
| Je | sortis | I went out |
| Tu | sortis | you went out |
| Il / Elle / On | sortit | he / she went out |
| Nous | sortîmes | we went out |
| Vous | sortîtes | you went out |
| Ils / Elles | sortirent | they went out |
Examples:
- Il sortit discrètement. → He went out quietly.
- Elle sortit seule. → She went out alone.
- Ils sortirent tard. → They went out late.
French also uses the future tense to talk about planned exits or releases.
Simple Future (Futur Simple)
The future tense describes actions that will happen later, including going out, leaving, or releasing something.
| Subject | Conjugation | English Translation |
|---|---|---|
| Je | sortirai | I will go out |
| Tu | sortiras | you will go out |
| Il / Elle / On | sortira | he / she will go out |
| Nous | sortirons | we will go out |
| Vous | sortirez | you will go out |
| Ils / Elles | sortiront | they will go out |
Examples:
- Je sortirai demain. → I will go out tomorrow.
- Le film sortira bientôt. → The movie will be released soon.
- Nous sortirons ensemble. → We will go out together.
Subjunctive Mood
The subjunctive expresses necessity, emotion, doubt, or judgment, especially when the action of going out is expected, desired, or uncertain.
Present Subjunctive
In English, this usually translates as “for someone to go out” or “that someone should go out.”
| Subject | Conjugation | English Translation |
|---|---|---|
| Que je | sorte | for me to go out / that I should go out |
| Que tu | sortes | for you to go out / that you should go out |
| Qu’il / elle / on | sorte | for him/her to go out / that he/she should go out |
| Que nous | sortions | for us to go out / that we should go out |
| Que vous | sortiez | for you to go out / that you should go out |
| Qu’ils / elles | sortent | for them to go out / that they should go out |
Examples:
- Il faut que je sorte. → I need to go out.
- Je veux qu’elle sorte. → I want her to go out.
- Bien qu’ils sortent tard… → Although they go out late…
Past Subjunctive
Used when the action happened before the main verb. In English, this often becomes “to have gone out.”
| Subject | Conjugation | English Translation |
|---|---|---|
| Que je | sois sorti(e) | for me to have gone out |
| Que tu | sois sorti(e) | for you to have gone out |
| Qu’il / elle / on | soit sorti(e) | for him/her to have gone out |
| Que nous | soyons sorti(e)s | for us to have gone out |
| Que vous | soyez sorti(e)(s) | for you to have gone out |
| Qu’ils / elles | soient sorti(e)s | for them to have gone out |
Examples:
- Je regrette qu’il soit sorti. → I regret that he went out.
- Bien qu’elle soit sortie… → Although she went out…
- Je suis content qu’ils soient sortis. → I’m glad they went out.
Conditional Mood
The conditional expresses hypothetical actions, polite suggestions, or imagined outcomes.
Present Conditional
| Subject | Conjugation | English Translation |
|---|---|---|
| Je | sortirais | I would go out |
| Tu | sortirais | you would go out |
| Il / Elle / On | sortirait | he / she would go out |
| Nous | sortirions | we would go out |
| Vous | sortiriez | you would go out |
| Ils / Elles | sortiraient | they would go out |
Examples:
- Je sortirais si je pouvais. → I would go out if I could.
- Elle sortirait plus tard. → She would go out later.
- Nous sortirions ensemble. → We would go out together.
Imperative Mood
The imperative is used to give instructions, encouragement, or orders, focusing on action rather than time.
Present Imperative
| Form | Conjugation | English Translation |
|---|---|---|
| (Tu) | sors | go out |
| (Nous) | sortons | let’s go out |
| (Vous) | sortez | go out (formal/plural) |
Examples:
- Sors maintenant. → Go out now.
- Sortons ensemble. → Let’s go out together.
- Sortez calmement. → Go out calmly.
FAQS
What Does The Verb Sortir Mean In French?
The French verb sortir generally means “to go out,” “to leave,” or “to take out.” Its meaning changes based on context. It can describe leaving a place, removing something, releasing a product, or even going out socially, which makes it one of the most flexible and frequently used verbs in French.
Is Sortir A Regular Or Irregular Verb?
Sortir is an irregular verb. While some of its endings look familiar, its present tense stem changes and does not follow standard -er verb rules. Because of this, learners must memorize its present forms and understand how it behaves differently across tenses and contexts.
Does Sortir Use Avoir Or Être?
Sortir can use both avoir and être. It uses être when it expresses movement out of a place without a direct object. It uses avoir when there is a direct object, such as taking something out. This auxiliary choice directly affects meaning and agreement.
How Do You Conjugate Sortir In The Present Tense?
In the present tense, sortir becomes je sors, tu sors, il sort, nous sortons, vous sortez, ils sortent. This tense is used for actions happening now, habitual outings, or general statements, and it usually translates as “go out” or “am/is/are going out.”
What Is The Difference Between Je Sors And Je Suis Sorti?
Je sors refers to an action happening now or regularly, such as “I’m going out.” Je suis sorti is in the passé composé and refers to a completed action in the past, meaning “I went out.” The difference is both about time and completion.
What Is The Difference Between Je Suis Sorti And J’ai Sorti?
Je suis sorti means “I went out” and focuses on movement. J’ai sorti means “I took out” and requires a direct object. The auxiliary changes because the meaning changes from movement to action on an object.
How Do You Use Sortir In The Past Tense?
Sortir is commonly used in the passé composé. With être, it describes going out of a place. With avoir, it describes taking something out or causing something to come out. Choosing the correct auxiliary is essential for accuracy and clarity.
Why Does Sortir Agree Sometimes In The Past Tense?
Sortir agrees in the past tense only when it uses être. In that case, the past participle sorti agrees in gender and number with the subject. When avoir is used, agreement usually does not apply unless a direct object comes before the verb.
How Do You Translate Sortir In English?
Sortir can translate as “to go out,” “to leave,” “to take out,” or “to come out.” English uses different verbs where French uses sortir, so the correct translation depends heavily on context rather than a single fixed meaning.
What Is The Imperfect Tense Of Sortir Used For?
The imperfect tense of sortir is used to describe ongoing or habitual actions in the past. It often translates as “was going out” or “used to go out.” This tense is common when talking about routines, repeated behavior, or background situations.
How Do You Conjugate Sortir In The Imperfect Tense?
In the imperfect tense, sortir becomes je sortais, tu sortais, il sortait, nous sortions, vous sortiez, ils sortaient. These forms describe repeated or ongoing actions in the past and are frequently used in storytelling and explanations.
How Do You Conjugate Sortir In The Future Tense?
In the future tense, sortir is conjugated as je sortirai, tu sortiras, il sortira, and so on. This tense is used to describe actions that will happen later, such as planned outings, departures, or future releases.
Can Sortir Mean To Release Or Publish Something?
Yes, sortir is commonly used to talk about releasing or publishing something. For example, le film sort demain means “the movie comes out tomorrow.” This usage is extremely common in media, entertainment, and everyday conversation.
Can Sortir Be Used To Talk About Dating Or Social Life?
Yes, sortir avec quelqu’un means “to go out with someone” in the sense of dating. This expression is very common in spoken French and shows how sortir extends beyond physical movement to social relationships.
When Do You Use The Subjunctive With Sortir?
The subjunctive is used with sortir after expressions of necessity, desire, doubt, or emotion. Examples include il faut que, je veux que, and bien que. The focus is on intention or uncertainty, not on stating a fact.
How Do You Translate “Que Je Sorte” In English?
“Que je sorte” is best translated as “for me to go out” or “that I should go out.” English does not mirror the French subjunctive directly, so the translation usually shifts to an infinitive or a structure with “should.”
What Is The Past Subjunctive Of Sortir Used For?
The past subjunctive of sortir is used when the action of going out happened before the main verb. In English, this often becomes “to have gone out.” It is common after expressions of regret, satisfaction, or judgment.
Is The Passé Simple Of Sortir Still Used?
The passé simple of sortir still exists but is not used in spoken French. It mainly appears in novels, historical writing, and formal narratives. Learning it helps with reading comprehension rather than everyday communication.
How Is Sortir Different From Partir?
Sortir focuses on leaving or going out of a place, often temporarily. Partir emphasizes departure and leaving more definitively. While they can sometimes overlap, sortir often implies a return, whereas partir does not.
How Is Sortir Different From Quitter?
Sortir describes movement out of a place, while quitter emphasizes leaving someone or something behind. Quitter is more final and emotional, whereas sortir is more neutral and physical in meaning.
Can Sortir Be Used Without A Place Mentioned?
Yes, sortir can be used without specifying a place when the context is clear. For example, je sors ce soir simply means “I’m going out tonight,” without stating where.
Is Sortir Common In Everyday Spoken French?
Sortir is extremely common in everyday spoken French. It is used for social plans, daily routines, instructions, and even abstract meanings like releases or exposure. Mastering sortir greatly improves fluency and comprehension.
What Are Common Mistakes Learners Make With Sortir?
Common mistakes include choosing the wrong auxiliary, forgetting agreement with être, and translating sortir too literally into English. Understanding whether the verb expresses movement or an action on an object helps avoid these errors.
Does Sortir Change Meaning With A Direct Object?
Yes, when sortir takes a direct object, it shifts meaning from “going out” to “taking out.” This change also triggers the use of avoir instead of être, which affects agreement and sentence structure.
Can Sortir Be Used In Commands?
Yes, sortir is commonly used in the imperative to give instructions or orders. Forms like sors, sortons, and sortez are used in everyday speech, especially in directions or urgent situations.
How Do You Use Sortir In The Conditional Tense?
The conditional of sortir is used for hypothetical situations, polite suggestions, or imagined outcomes. It usually translates as “would go out” and is common in soft requests or uncertain plans.
Is Sortir Used In Formal Writing?
Yes, sortir appears in both informal and formal writing. While its meaning remains the same, formal contexts often use it in more abstract senses, such as publications, releases, or official announcements.
Are There Idiomatic Expressions With Sortir?
Yes, French has many expressions using sortir, such as sortir de sa zone de confort or s’en sortir. These expressions extend the meaning beyond physical movement and are very common in spoken and written French.
What Does S’en Sortir Mean?
S’en sortir means “to manage,” “to get by,” or “to make it through.” Although it comes from sortir, its meaning is idiomatic and should be learned as a separate expression due to its frequent use.
How Do You Use Sortir With De?
Sortir can be followed by de to indicate origin, such as sortir de la maison. In this case, it emphasizes leaving a specific place and is commonly used in both spoken and written French.
Is Sortir Used More With Être Or Avoir?
Sortir is more frequently used with être in spoken French because movement is common in everyday conversation. However, both auxiliaries are essential, and learners must be comfortable switching between them based on meaning.
Can Sortir Be Used Figuratively?
Yes, sortir is often used figuratively to describe ideas becoming public, emotions being expressed, or situations changing. These figurative uses are very common and add depth to everyday French.
How Can I Practice Sortir Effectively?
The best way to practice sortir is by using it in real-life sentences that reflect both meanings: going out and taking out. Practicing with time expressions and objects helps reinforce auxiliary choice and tense usage.
Should Beginners Learn All Sortir Tenses At Once?
Beginners should focus first on the present tense, passé composé, future tense, and basic subjunctive usage. Literary tenses can be added later. Prioritizing real-life usage leads to faster and more confident progress.
Final Takeaway
The Sortir Verb Conjugation becomes much clearer once you understand how meaning shifts with auxiliary choice and context. Whether you’re talking about going out, taking something out, or releasing something, sortir is a high-frequency verb that rewards careful study and confident use.
