Verbes pronominaux réfléchis
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For reflexive verbs, the reflexive pronoun indicates that the subject of the verb is performing the action on him/her/itself, rather than on someone or something else. The majority of reflexive verbs have to do with one’s body, clothing, relationships, or state of mind.
Par exemple…
Elle se regarde dans la glace. | She’s looking at herself in the mirror. | |
Je me couche à minuit. | I go to bed at midnight. | |
Tu t’habilles trop lentement. | You’re dressing too slowly. |
Most common French reflexive verbs
s’adjoindre | to take on, appoint | |
s’adresser à | to address, speak to | |
s’apprêter | to get ready | |
s’approcher de | to approach | |
s’arrêter | to stop oneself | |
s’asseoir | to sit down | |
se baigner | to bathe, swim | |
se brosser (les cheveux, les dents) | to brush (one’s hair, one’s teeth) | |
se casser (la jambe, le bras) | to break (one’s leg, one’s arm) | |
se coiffer | to fix one’s hair | |
se coucher | to go to bed | |
se couper | to cut oneself, to cut (something) for oneself | |
se dépêcher | to hurry | |
se déshabiller | to get undressed | |
se disperser | to disperse, break up (a meeting, group) | |
se doucher | to take a shower | |
s’effrayer | to be frightened | |
s’éloigner | to move (oneself) away | |
s’endormir | to fall asleep | |
s’énerver | to get annoyed | |
s’enrhumer | to catch a cold | |
se fâcher | to get angry | |
se faire (un café, un sandwich…) | to make (a coffee, sandwich…) for oneself | |
se fatiguer | to get tired | |
se fier | to trust | |
s’habiller | to get dressed | |
s’habituer à | to get used to | |
s’imaginer | to imagine | |
s’informer | to ask, find out; to inform oneself | |
s’inquiéter | to worry | |
s’inscrire | to enroll, register | |
s’intéresser à | to be interested in | |
se laver (les mains, la figure) | to wash oneself (one’s hands, face) | |
se lever | to get up | |
se maquiller | to put on makeup | |
se marier (avec) | to get married (to) | |
se moucher | to blow one’s nose | |
se noyer | to drown | |
se nuire | to harm oneself | |
se peigner | to comb one’s hair | |
se précipiter | to rush, quicken; to hurl oneself, jump | |
se promener | to take a walk | |
se raser | to shave | |
se rassembler | to gather, assemble (as a group) | |
se refroidir | to cool down, get cold | |
se régaler | to enjoy oneself, have a delicious meal | |
se regarder | to look at oneself | |
se relaxer | to relax | |
se reposer | to rest | |
se réserver | to keep for oneself | |
se réveiller | to wake up | |
se soûler | to get drunk | |
se sourire | to smile at/to oneself | |
se suffire | to be self-sufficient | |
se suicider | to commit suicide | |
se taire | to be quiet |
Note that many of these verbs can also be reciprocal.
All of the above verbs require a reflexive pronoun when they indicate that the subject is doing something to itself. But they can also be used non-reflexively, indicating that the action of the verb is directed at someone or something else.
En comparaison…
Je me réveille à 6h00. | vs | Je la réveille à 6h00. |
I wake up at 6am. | I wake her up at 6am. | |
Il se rase le menton. | vs | Il rase le menton de son fils. |
He’s shaving his (own) chin. | He’s shaving his son’s chin. |
When talking about parts of the body, the reflexive pronoun and a definite article indicate the owner of that part of the body, rather than the possessive adjective that is used in English.
Par exemple…
Je me lave le visage. | ||
I’m washing my face. | ||
Il se brosse les cheveux. | ||
He’s brushing his hair. |
Reflexive verbs are just one type of pronominal verb. See the main lesson on pronominal verbs for details on using reflexive verbs in different tenses and moods.
Related lessons
- Reflexive pronouns
- Pronominal verbs
- Agreement with pronominal verbs
- Introduction to French verbs
- Parts of the body
French lesson plan
- Simon dit ! (Simon says!) (Lesson, 5th-8th grade)
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