galoper

Galoper is a French verb meaning to gallop, or to move at full speed on horseback. It is primarily used to describe the action of horses or riders, but can also be used figuratively for rapid, vigorous movement of people or things.

Origin and form: Galoper is formed from the noun galop (gallop) with the standard -er verb suffix. It is a regular -er verb, so its conjugation follows the typical pattern for this class.

Conjugation: In the present indicative, the forms are: je galoppe, tu galopes, il galoppe, nous galoppons, vous galoppez, ils galopent. In the passé composé, the auxiliary is avoir: j'ai galopé, tu as galopé, il a galopé, nous avons galopé, vous avez galopé, ils ont galopé. The imperfect is: je galopais, tu galopais, il galopait, nous galopions, vous galopiez, ils galopaient. The future simple is: je galoperai, tu galoperas, il galopera, nous galoperons, vous galoperez, ils galoperont. The present subjunctive is: que je galoppe, que tu galopes, qu'il galoppe, que nous galopions, que vous galopiez, qu'ils galoppent.

Usage notes: As an intransitive verb, galoper does not require a direct object. When specifying the mount or rider, phrases such as galoper à cheval are common. It appears in both literal descriptions of horse motion and figurative uses to express great speed.

Examples: Le cheval galoppe dans le pré. Elle a galopé jusqu’au portail avant la tempête. See also galop (gait) and galop (dance) for related terms.