Mastering Reflexive Verbs in French

If you’re learning French, you’ve probably seen verbs like se lever, s’appeler, or se dépêcher. These are known as french reflexive verbs—verbs that use a reflexive pronoun to show that the subject is doing the action to itself. In this guide, we’ll walk you through how reflexive verbs work, when to use them, and share the most common examples to help you sound more natural in everyday French.

📌 What Are Reflexive Verbs in French?

Reflexive verbs in French are verbs used with reflexive pronouns that refer back to the subject of the sentence. They are easy to spot because they always include a pronoun like me, te, se, nous, vous, se.

📘 Example:
Je me lève. (I get up.)
Elle s’appelle Marie. (Her name is Marie.)

These reflexive pronouns agree with the subject, and reflexive verbs are conjugated just like other regular verbs in French — with one key difference: you must always include the reflexive pronoun.

🔧 Reflexive Pronouns Table

⚙️ How to Conjugate Reflexive Verbs

Reflexive verbs follow the same conjugation rules as other French verbs but always include a reflexive pronoun that matches the subject pronoun.

Here’s a step-by-step breakdown:

1. Identify the reflexive verb: e.g. se laver (to wash)
2. Remove “se” and choose the correct reflexive pronoun depending on the subject pronoun
3. Conjugate the verb in French in the correct tense (present tense, passé composé, etc.)
4. Place the reflexive pronoun before the verb (except in certain infinitive constructions)

Example:
Nous nous levons à 7h. (We get up at 7.)

This example includes:

• Subject pronoun: nous
• Reflexive pronoun: nous
• Verb in present tense: levons

Note that reflexive pronouns always agree with the subject. For example:

• Je me lave les cheveux. (I wash my hair.)
• Tu te couches tôt. (You go to bed early.)
• Ils se lèvent à 6h. (They get up at 6.)

When conjugating in compound tenses like passé composé, you must also use the auxiliary verb être, and the past participle must agree in gender and number with the subject — unless it is followed by a direct object like les cheveux.

🕰️ Reflexive Verbs in Different Tenses

Present Tense

Je me couche tôt. (I go to bed early.)
Nous nous lavons les mains. (We wash our hands.)

Passé Composé

Always use être as the auxiliary verb:

Elle s’est levée tard. (She got up late.)
Ils se sont lavé les cheveux. (They washed their hair.)

📌 Remember: reflexive verbs in passé composé must agree with the subject — unless followed by a direct object.

Future Tense

Nous allons nous habiller. (We are going to get dressed.)

🎯 Most Common Reflexive Verbs in French

Here’s a useful list of common French reflexive verbs:

• se lever (to get up)
• se coucher (to go to bed)
• s’appeler (to be called)
• se laver (to wash oneself)
• se brosser (to brush oneself)
• se dépêcher (to hurry)
• se souvenir (to remember)
• se fâcher (to get angry)
• s’amuser (to have fun)
• se marier (to get married)

You’ll often see these used with body parts (e.g., je me brosse les dents, elle se lave les cheveux) or daily routine actions.

🧠 Tips to Master Reflexive Verbs

• Practice using reflexive pronouns like je me, tu te, nous nous, and vous vous in short sentences
• Learn reflexive verbs are conjugated using normal verb patterns with matching pronouns
• Try translating common routines like brushing teeth, washing hair, or going to bed using verbs like se brosser, se laver, and se coucher
• Write short dialogues or practice with an AI tutor to get instant feedback
• Don’t forget pronunciation — ils/elles se can sound like “se” blends smoothly into the verb

❓ Reflexive vs Non-Reflexive Verbs

Some verbs can be used with or without reflexive pronouns depending on meaning:

Il lave la voiture. (He washes the car.)
Il se lave. (He washes himself.)

In this way, reflexive verbs let you express that the subject is both the doer and receiver of the action.

🧪 Practice Sentences

Translate these into French using the correct reflexive pronouns and verb forms:

1. I get up at 8am.
2. They are getting married next month.
3. We hurry to the train station.
4. Do you (formal) remember his name?
5. She brushes her teeth every morning.

Hint: Use je me, ils/elles se, nous nous, vous vous, elle se — and remember to use passé composé for past actions or present tense when appropriate!

📚 Final Thoughts: Why Reflexive Verbs Matter

Reflexive verbs are an essential part of daily communication in French. They allow you to describe actions that relate to yourself or others — especially routines, emotions, and personal care.

Whether you’re saying “je me lève” (I get up), “tu te couches” (you go to bed), or “nous nous souvenons” (we remember), understanding how reflexive pronoun “se” and the correct subject pronouns like ils, elles, tu, vous work together will boost your fluency.

Master them across tenses like present tense, passé composé, and future constructions, and you’ll have unlocked a vital part of speaking French naturally.

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