What are Reflexive Pronouns?
Reflexive pronouns (me, te, se, nous, vous, se) are used with reflexive verbs to show that the action is performed on the subject themselves—the 'doer' and the 'receiver' are the same person or thing.
Reflexive pronouns (me, te, se, nous, vous) are used with reflexive verbs to show an action directed back at the subject itself, such as se lever (to get up) or s'appeler (to be called).
- •Je me réveille (I wake up)
- •Tu te lèves (You get up)
- •Il se lave (He washes)
- •Nous nous endormons (We fall asleep)
- •Vous vous préparez (You prepare)
- •Je le réveille (I wake him)
- •Tu le lèves (You lift it)
- •Il la lave (He washes her)
- •Nous les endormons (We put them to sleep)
- •Vous les préparez (You prepare them)
Step-by-step worked examples
Conjugate the reflexive verb 'se lever' for 'je' (to get up).
Reflexive pronoun for 'je' = me Conjugate: Je me lève. (I get up.)
Use the reflexive pronoun for 'nous' with 's'endormir'.
Reflexive pronoun for 'nous' = nous Conjugate: Nous nous endormons. (We fall asleep.)
Complete: Elle ___ appelle Marie.
Reflexive pronoun for 'elle' = se Sentence: Elle s'appelle Marie. (She is called Marie.)
Flashcards
Quick quiz
Q1.Complete: Je ___ lève. (wake up)
Q2.Which is a reflexive verb?
Q3.Elle ___ appelle Béatrice.
Q4.What makes a verb reflexive?
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Common mistakes
Using a non-reflexive pronoun with a reflexive verb. — Correct: Je ME lève (not je le lève for 'I get up').
Forgetting the reflexive pronoun. — Correct: Reflexive verbs REQUIRE the reflexive pronoun: Je me lave.
Placing the reflexive pronoun after the verb. — Correct: Reflexive pronouns come BEFORE the verb: Je me lève.
Confusing 'se' with other pronouns. — Correct: Se is used for il/elle/3rd plural; use me for je, te for tu, nous/vous for we/you.
FAQ
What are reflexive pronouns in French?
Reflexive pronouns (me, te, se, nous, vous) show the action is performed on the subject itself.
How do you identify a reflexive verb?
Reflexive verbs have the reflexive pronoun 'se' in the infinitive: se lever, s'appeler, se laver.
Do all French verbs have reflexive forms?
Most transitive verbs can be used reflexively, but some are always reflexive: s'endormir, se réveiller.
What is the difference between 'laver' and 'se laver'?
'Laver' = to wash (someone/something); 'se laver' = to wash (oneself). The reflexive adds 'oneself'.