Pronominal Verbs in French Explained with Examples

If you’re learning French, you’ve probably noticed verbs that begin with se—like se laver (“to wash oneself”) or s’appeler (“to be called”). These are pronominal verbs in French, and they’re essential for daily communication.
In short: pronominal verbs are verbs that always come with a reflexive pronoun (me, te, se, nous, vous, se) that refers back to the subject of the verb. Without this pronoun, the meaning of the verb can change dramatically.

What Are Pronominal Verbs in French?

Pronominal verbs are made of two parts:

1. A reflexive pronoun (me, te, se, nous, vous, se)
2. The base verb in its conjugated form

For example:

• Je me lave. → “I wash myself.”
• Elle s’appelle Marie. → “Her name is Marie.”
• Nous nous réveillons tôt. → “We wake up early.”

Without the reflexive pronoun, the meaning often shifts:

• Je lave la voiture. → “I wash the car” (not myself).
• Il appelle son ami. → “He calls his friend” (not himself).

👉 The reflexive pronoun is what makes a verb pronominal.

Types of Pronominal Verbs in French

Not all pronominal verbs mean the same thing. They can fall into several categories:

1. Reflexive Verbs

These indicate that the subject does the action to itself.

• Je me lève. → “I get up.”
• Ils se lavent les mains. → “They wash their hands.”

2. Reciprocal Verbs

These show that people are doing something to each other.

• Nous nous parlons chaque jour. → “We talk to each other every day.”
• Elles se regardent. → “They look at each other.”

3. Idiomatic Pronominal Verbs

Some verbs take a reflexive pronoun but don’t literally mean “to do something to oneself.” Their meaning changes entirely.

• Je me souviens de ce film. → “I remember that movie.”
• Elle se moque de lui. → “She makes fun of him.”

4. Essentially Pronominal Verbs

These exist only in pronominal form. You cannot use them without se.

• Se méfier → “to mistrust”
• S’enfuir → “to run away”

5. Pronominal Verbs with Passive Meaning

Sometimes pronominal verbs are used in place of the passive voice.

• Le vin se boit froid. → “Wine is drunk cold.”
• Les billets se vendent rapidement. → “Tickets sell quickly.”

Conjugating Pronominal Verbs

Pronominal verbs follow the same conjugation rules as regular verbs but always include a reflexive pronoun that agrees with the subject.

Present Tense Example: Se laver (“to wash oneself”)

👉 Notice how the reflexive pronoun changes to agree with the subject.

Past Tense (Passé Composé)

All pronominal verbs use être as their auxiliary in compound tenses:

• Je me suis levé(e). → “I got up.”
• Ils se sont disputés. → “They argued.”

⚠️ Agreement rules apply: the past participle generally agrees with the subject—except when a direct object follows.

• Elle s’est lavée. → “She washed (herself).”
• Elle s’est lavé les mains. → “She washed her hands.” (no agreement because les mains is the direct object).

Everyday Examples of Pronominal Verbs

Morning Routine Verbs

• se réveiller → to wake up
• se lever → to get up
• s’habiller → to get dressed
• se brosser les dents → to brush one’s teeth

Emotional & Idiomatic Expressions

• se sentir bien/mal → to feel good/bad
• se dépêcher → to hurry
• s’énerver → to get upset
• se tromper → to be mistaken

Reciprocal Actions

• se parler → to talk to each other
• se rencontrer → to meet
• s’aimer → to love each other

Why Are Pronominal Verbs Important?

1. They appear in everyday speech: from morning routines to emotions.
2. They reveal subtle meaning shifts (e.g., laver vs. se laver).
3. They help you understand native-level French, including idiomatic expressions.
4. They appear in key tenses like passé composé, where agreement rules can be tricky.

Mastering pronominal verbs unlocks a deeper, more natural command of French.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• ❌ Forgetting the reflexive pronoun: Je lave ≠ “I wash myself.”
• ❌ Mixing subject and reflexive pronouns: Tu me laves means “You wash me,” not “You wash yourself.”
• ❌ Misusing agreement in passé composé: Elle s’est lavée les mains (no agreement).

Practice Tips

• Transform Sentences: Take a normal verb and try adding se. Example: Il lève la main → Il se lève.
• Morning Routine Drill: Describe your day using only pronominal verbs.
• Listen Actively: Spot pronominal verbs in French podcasts or movies.
• Use a Verb Conjugator: Tools like WordReference or Lawless French can help you double-check forms.

FAQs: Pronominal Verbs in French

❓ What are pronominal verbs in French?

They are verbs that include a reflexive pronoun (me, te, se, nous, vous, se) referring back to the subject.

❓ Are pronominal verbs the same as reflexive verbs?

Not exactly. Reflexive verbs are one type of pronominal verbs. Others include reciprocal, idiomatic, and passive forms.

❓ Do pronominal verbs always use être in passé composé?

Yes. All pronominal verbs use être, but the agreement rules depend on whether the reflexive pronoun is a direct or indirect object.

❓ Why does English not use pronominal verbs the same way?

English often implies reflexivity (“I wash” = “I wash myself”). French makes it explicit with reflexive pronouns.

❓ How can I get better at using them?

Practice daily routines aloud, write short dialogues, and listen for common verbs like se lever and s’appeler in real-life French content.

Final Thoughts

Pronominal verbs in French may seem intimidating at first, but they follow clear patterns. Once you understand how reflexive pronouns work and how to handle conjugation, you’ll quickly recognize them everywhere. From se réveiller in the morning to s’endormir at night, these verbs are part of the rhythm of everyday French.

The key is consistent practice: write, speak, and listen with an ear for pronominal verbs. Soon, using them will feel just as natural as saying “I get up” or “We talk” in English—except you’ll be saying it the French way.