REFLEXIVE VERBS

French II – Mme Smith

BCHS

When to use a reflexive verb

The action is performed by the subject on itself. The verb has a reflexive pronoun as its object. The subject and the object pronoun refer to the

same thing. Example: he hurt himself or we will enjoy

ourselves

Where do reflexive object pronouns go?

Reflexive object pronouns go directly in front of the conjugated verb almost all the time. (Je me lave.)

However, reflexive object pronouns go in front of the infinitive if there is an infinitive in the sentence. (Je vais me laver.)

The second exception to the rule is that reflexive object pronouns go after the conjugated verb when the sentence is an affirmative or positive command. (Lave-toi/Lavez-vous.)

subject – reflexive pronoun - verb

Reflexive pronouns usually precede the verb.

Il se réveille. He wakes up.

Elle se parle. She talks to herself.

Reflexive pronouns can also be used to show reciprocal actions

Ils se parlent tous les jours.

They talk to each other every day.

Reflexive pronouns

me - myselfte - yourselfse - himself

or herself

nous - ourselvesvous - yourself

or yourselvesse - themselves

or each

other

Present tense conjugation

Je me lave Nous nous lavons

Tu te laves Vous vous lavez

Il/elle se lave Ils/elles se lavent

Inverted questions and negatives

S’amusent-ils? Are they enjoying

themselves?

Ils ne s’amusent pas. They are not enjoying

themselves.

Ne s’amusent-ils pas? Aren’t they enjoying

themselves?

Vous levez-vous tôt? Do you get up early?

Je ne me lève pas tôt. I don’t get up early.

Ne vous levez-vous pas tôt?

Don’t you get up early?

Vocabulaire

These are some common reflexive verbs.

1

se réveiller –

to wake up

2

se lever –

to get up

3

se brosser les dents –

to brush one’s teeth

4

se laver -

to wash oneself

5

se raser –

to shave oneself

6

s’habiller –

to get dressed

7

se peigner –

to comb one’s hair

8

se brosser les cheveux –

to brush one’s hair

9

se dépecher –

to hurry up

10

se préparer –

to get oneself ready

11

s’amuser –

to have fun/to amuse oneself

12

se déshabiller –

to get undressed

13

se coucher –

to go to bed

Pratiquons!