Here's a breakdown:
* What it means: The infinitive indicates the action or state of the verb in its most general form. It doesn't specify who is doing the action or when it's happening.
* Form: It's the bare verb without any grammatical modifications:
* -er verbs: parler (to speak), manger (to eat)
* -ir verbs: finir (to finish), choisir (to choose)
* -re verbs: attendre (to wait), rendre (to return)
Examples:
* Je veux *chanter*. (I want to sing.)
* Il est difficile de *comprendre* cela. (It is difficult to understand that.)
* J'aime *lire* des livres. (I like to read books.)
The infinitive is used in many grammatical structures, such as:
* Direct object: J'aime *chanter*.
* Subject of a sentence: *Chanter* est mon passe-temps. (Singing is my hobby.)
* After prepositions: Avant de *partir*. (Before leaving.)
* In verb phrases: Je veux *aller* au cinéma. (I want to go to the cinema.)
* To express purpose: J'ai étudié pour *réussir* l'examen. (I studied to pass the exam.)
Understanding the infinitive is crucial for understanding French grammar and constructing sentences. It acts as the building block for many verb forms and structures.