How to use French reflexive verbs?
French reflexive verbs are an essential part of the language, often used to describe actions that one does to oneself. Understanding how to use these verbs correctly can significantly improve your French fluency.
What are reflexive verbs?
Reflexive verbs in French are verbs where the subject and object are the same. They are always accompanied by a reflexive pronoun that matches the subject.
Reflexive pronouns
Here are the reflexive pronouns in French:
- me (m') - myself
- te (t') - yourself (informal)
- se (s') - himself/herself/itself/oneself
- nous - ourselves
- vous - yourself (formal) / yourselves
- se (s') - themselves
Conjugation
To conjugate a reflexive verb:
- Start with the reflexive pronoun
- Conjugate the verb as usual
Example with "se laver" (to wash oneself):
- Je me lave (I wash myself)
- Tu te laves (You wash yourself)
- Il/Elle/On se lave (He/She/One washes oneself)
- Nous nous lavons (We wash ourselves)
- Vous vous lavez (You wash yourselves)
- Ils/Elles se lavent (They wash themselves)
Common reflexive verbs
Some frequently used reflexive verbs include:
- se réveiller (to wake up)
- s'habiller (to get dressed)
- se coucher (to go to bed)
- se souvenir (to remember)
- s'appeler (to be called/named)
Usage in different tenses
Reflexive verbs can be used in various tenses. In compound tenses, the auxiliary verb is always "être":
- Passé composé: Je me suis lavé(e) (I washed myself)
- Imparfait: Je me lavais (I was washing myself)
- Futur simple: Je me laverai (I will wash myself)
Remember, in tenses using "être", the past participle must agree in gender and number with the subject.
By mastering reflexive verbs, you'll be able to express many everyday actions in French with confidence and accuracy.