Reflexive Verbs

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 one’s state of mind.

Par exemple…

Elle se regarde et se sourit.		She’s looking at herself and smiling at herself.
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, one’s 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.

Je me lave le visage.		Je lave mon visage.
I’m washing my face.
Il se brosse les cheveux.		Il brosse ses 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)
   

 En español

• Verbos reflejos
   

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