A2 French GrammarReflexive Verbs
Use French reflexive verbs with pronouns se/me/te for actions done to oneself, daily routines, and reciprocal actions.
1Reflexive Pronouns
Reflexive pronouns go before the verb. They match the subject: me, te, se, nous, vous, se.
Reflexive Pronouns
| Subject | Pronoun | Example | English |
|---|---|---|---|
| je | me | je me lave | I wash myself |
| tu | te | tu te lèves | you get up |
| il/elle | se | il se rase | he shaves |
| nous | nous | nous nous habillons | we dress |
| vous | vous | vous vous couchez | you go to bed |
| ils/elles | se | ils se réveillent | they wake up |
Examples
Je me lève à 7 heures.
I get up at 7 o'clock.
se lever = to get up
Elle se maquille le matin.
She puts on makeup in the morning.
se maquiller
Nous nous promenons dans le parc.
We walk in the park.
se promener
Tu t'appelles comment?
What's your name?
s'appeler
2Common Reflexive Verbs
Many daily routine verbs are reflexive in French. The reflexive pronoun must always be used.
Daily Routine Verbs
| French | English |
|---|---|
| se réveiller | to wake up |
| se lever | to get up |
| se doucher | to shower |
| se brosser (les dents) | to brush (teeth) |
| s'habiller | to get dressed |
| se coucher | to go to bed |
Examples
Il se brosse les dents.
He brushes his teeth.
body part with definite article
Elle se douche chaque matin.
She showers every morning.
se doucher
Je me couche tôt.
I go to bed early.
se coucher
Nous nous dépêchons.
We're hurrying.
se dépêcher = to hurry
3Reflexive in Passé Composé
Reflexive verbs always use être in passé composé. The past participle agrees with the subject.
Passé Composé Formation
| Subject | Pronoun + être | Past Part. | English |
|---|---|---|---|
| je | me suis | levé(e) | I got up |
| tu | t'es | couché(e) | you went to bed |
| elle | s'est | habillée | she got dressed |
| nous | nous sommes | promenés | we walked |
Examples
Elle s'est réveillée tard.
She woke up late.
-ée agrees with elle
Ils se sont levés tôt.
They got up early.
-és agrees with ils
Je me suis trompé.
I made a mistake.
se tromper
Nous nous sommes amusés.
We had fun.
s'amuser
4Reciprocal Actions
Reflexive pronouns can also express reciprocal actions (each other) with plural subjects.
Reciprocal Verbs
| French | English |
|---|---|
| se rencontrer | to meet each other |
| se parler | to talk to each other |
| s'aimer | to love each other |
| se disputer | to argue with each other |
Examples
Ils se sont rencontrés à Paris.
They met (each other) in Paris.
reciprocal
Nous nous téléphonons souvent.
We call each other often.
se téléphoner
Elles se regardent.
They look at each other.
reciprocal gaze
Ils s'aiment depuis longtemps.
They have loved each other for a long time.
s'aimer = love each other
Practice
Get 3 of 4 right to learn this lesson
Complete: 'Je ___ lève à 7 heures.' (I get up at 7.)
Which is NOT a reflexive verb in French?
In passé composé, reflexive verbs use which auxiliary?
Complete: 'Elle ___ douche le matin.' (She showers in the morning.)
See Real Examples in Stories
Now that you've practiced, see this grammar in context
