French Lessons-Reflexive Verbs in French

French Reflexive Verbs Conjugating Reflexive Verbs A reflexive verb infinitive is identified by its reflexive pronoun se, which is placed before the infinitive and that serves as a direct or indirect object pronoun. A reflexive verb shows that the subject is performing the action upon itself and, therefore, the subject and the reflexive pronoun refer to the same person or thing, as in je m’appelle (I call myself), which is translated to “My name is.” Some verbs must always be reflexive, whereas other verbs may be made reflexive by adding the correct object pronoun. The meaning of some verbs varies depending upon whether or not the verb is used reflexively. Reflexive verbs are always conjugated with the reflexive pronoun that agrees with the subject: me (myself), te (yourself), se (himself, herself, itself, themselves), nous (ourselves), and vous (yourself, yourselves). These pronouns generally precede the verb. Follow the rules for conjugating regular verbs, verbs with spelling changes, and irregular verbs, depending on of the tense, as shown in Table 1: Reflexive constructions have the following translations:

• Present tense: Je me lave. (I wash myself.)

• Imperfect tense:: Je me lavais. (I was washing [used to] myself.)

• Future tense: Je me laverai. (I will wash myself.)

• Conditional: Je me laverais. (I would wash myself.)

Consider the following most commonly used reflexive verbs. Those marked with asterisks have shoe verb spelling change within the infinitive.

• s’approcher de (approach)

• s’arrêter de (stop)

• se baigner (bathe, swim)

• se blesser (hurt oneself)

• se bronzer (tan)

• se brosser (brush)

• se brûler (burn oneself)

• se casser (break)

• se coiffer (do one’s hair)

• se coucher (go to bed)

 

• se couper (cut oneself)

• se demander (wonder)

• se dépêcher (hurry)

• se déshabiller (undress)

• se détendre (relax)

• s’endormir (go to sleep)

• se fâcher (get angry)

• s’habiller (dress)

• s’impatienter (become impatient)

• s’inquiéter de* (worry about)

• se laver (wash)

• se lever* (get up)

• se maquiller (apply make‐up)

• se mettre à (begin)

• s’occuper de (take care of)

• se peigner (comb)

• se présenter (introduce oneself)

• se promener* (take a walk)

• se rappeler* (recall)

• se raser (shave)

• se reposer (rest)

• se réunir (meet)

• se réveiller (wake up)

• se servir de (use)

• se tromper (make a mistake)

In addition, some French verbs are always reflexive despite the fact that in English they are not:

• s’écrier (exclaim, cry out)

• s’en aller (leave, go away)

• se fier à (trust)

• se méfier de (distrust)

• se moquer de (make fun of)

• se soucier de (care about)

• se souvenir de (remember)

When a subject is followed by two verbs (and keep in mind that when the first one is conjugated, the second must be in the infinitive, the reflexive pronoun precedes the infinitive, because its meaning is tied to that verb:

• Je vais me dépêcher. (I’m going to hurry.)

• Il ne va pas se raser. (He’s not going to shave.)

• Reflexive Verbs and Commands
• In a negative command, the reflexive pronoun directly precedes the verb: Ne te lève pas!(Don’t get up!)
• In an affirmative command, the reflexive pronoun follows the verb and is attached to it by a hyphen. In familiar commands, tebecomes toi after the verb: Lève‐toi! Levez‐vous! (Get up!)

Reflexive or Non‐Reflexive?

The meaning of certain verbs allows the use of the verb either as reflexive or non‐reflexive, depending upon whom the action is performed. Me, te, se, nous, and vous are also used as direct and indirect object pronouns when not used reflexively. Be sure, therefore, to pay attention to the meaning you wish to convey.

• Je me lave. (I wash myself.)

• Je lave la voiture. (I wash the car.)

• Je la lave. (I wash it.)

• Il se réveille. (He wakes [himself] up.)

• Il me réveille. (He wakes me up.)

Some verbs in French have different meanings when used reflexively, as shown in Table 1. Even verbs that are not generally used as reflexive verbs may be made reflexive by adding the reflexive pronoun:

• Je prépare le dîner. (I prepare dinner.)

• Je me prépare. (I prepare myself.)

Reflexive verbs may be used in the plural to express reciprocal action meaning “each other” or “one another:”

• Nous nous parlons. (We speak to each other.)

• Vous vous regardez. (You look at one another.)

Reflexive Verbs and Compound Tenses In compound tenses like the passé composé, reflexive verbs use êtreas their helping (auxiliary) verb. The reflexive pronoun remains before the conjugated helping form of être, as follows:

• Je me suis lavé(e). (I washed myself.)

• Tu t’es préparé(e). (You didn’t get ready.)

• Il s’est rasé. (He shaved.)

• Elle s’est couchée. (Didn’t she go to bed?)

• Nous nous sommes peigné(e)s. (We combed our hair.)

• Vous vous êtes coiffé(e)(s). (You didn’t do your hair.)

• Ils se sont impatientés. (They became impatient.)

• Elles se sont maquillées. (They put on their makeup.)

When the reflexive pronoun is used as a direct object, as in “Whom did they wash? Themselves! ” the past participle agrees with the reflexive pronoun: Ils se sont lavés. (They washed themselves.) When the reflexive pronoun is used as an indirect object (“To/for whom did they wash something? For themselves!”), the past participle shows no agreement: Ils se sont lavé la figure. (They washed their faces.) Even verbs that are not generally used as reflexive verbs may be made reflexive by adding the reflexive pronoun:

• Je prépare le dîner. (I prepare dinner.)

• Je me prépare. (I prepare myself.)

Reflexive verbs may be used in the plural to express reciprocal action meaning “each other” or “one another:”

• Nous nous parlons. (We speak to each other.)

• Vous vous regardez. (You look at one another.)

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