Reflexive verbs in French are verbs where the action performed by the subject reflects back on the subject itself. This means the subject is both the doer and the receiver of the action. They are easily identified by the presence of a reflexive pronoun (such as se, me, te, nous, vous) that matches the subject of the verb.
Understanding Reflexive Verbs
In French, reflexive verbs are characterized by the infinitive form beginning with se (or s' before a vowel or mute 'h'). When conjugated, this reflexive pronoun changes to match the subject of the verb.
- Subject performs action on itself: For example, se laver means "to wash oneself." If you say Je me lave, it translates to "I wash myself."
- Presence of a reflexive pronoun: These pronouns always precede the verb in simple tenses and the auxiliary verb in compound tenses.
Here's how the reflexive pronouns change with the subject:
| Subject Pronoun | Reflexive Pronoun | Example (from se laver - to wash oneself) |
|---|---|---|
| Je (I) | me (myself) | Je me lave. (I wash myself.) |
| Tu (You - singular informal) | te (yourself) | Tu te laves. (You wash yourself.) |
| Il/Elle/On (He/She/One) | se (himself/herself/itself/oneself) | Il se lave. (He washes himself.) |
| Nous (We) | nous (ourselves) | Nous nous lavons. (We wash ourselves.) |
| Vous (You - plural/formal) | vous (yourselves) | Vous vous lavez. (You wash yourselves.) |
| Ils/Elles (They) | se (themselves) | Ils se lavent. (They wash themselves.) |
Common French Reflexive Verbs
Many daily routines and actions are expressed using reflexive verbs in French. Here is a list of some of the most frequently used reflexive verbs:
| French Reflexive Verb | English Translation | Example Phrase |
|---|---|---|
| Se brosser (les cheveux/les dents) | To brush (one's hair/teeth) | Je me brosse les dents. (I brush my teeth.) |
| Se coiffer | To do one's hair | Elle se coiffe tous les matins. (She does her hair every morning.) |
| Se coucher | To go to bed | Nous nous couchons tard le week-end. (We go to bed late on weekends.) |
| Se doucher | To shower | Tu te douches avant de dormir? (Do you shower before sleeping?) |
| S'habiller | To get dressed | Ils s'habillent élégamment. (They dress elegantly.) |
| Se laver | To wash oneself | Je me lave les mains. (I wash my hands.) |
| Se lever | To get up | Je me lève à sept heures. (I get up at seven o'clock.) |
| Se réveiller | To wake up | Elle se réveille tôt. (She wakes up early.) |
Types of Reflexive Verbs
Beyond the typical self-directed actions, reflexive verbs can also convey other meanings:
- Truly Reflexive Verbs: The action genuinely reflects back on the subject. (e.g., se laver, s'habiller)
- Reciprocal Verbs: The action is performed by two or more subjects on each other. These are always in the plural. (e.g., s'aimer - to love each other; se parler - to talk to each other)
- Idiomatic Reflexive Verbs: The verb itself is inherently reflexive and does not have a non-reflexive equivalent with the same meaning, or its meaning changes significantly when reflexive. (e.g., se souvenir de - to remember; se méfier de - to be wary of)
- Passive Reflexive Verbs: The reflexive pronoun se can sometimes be used to express a passive voice, particularly with inanimate subjects. (e.g., Ça se mange - It is eaten/It can be eaten)
Mastering French reflexive verbs is key to expressing daily routines and various interactions accurately and naturally.
