Reflexive verbs

Reflexive verbs

By Sammy Belhafian

What is a reflexive verb?

​A reflexive verb usually describes what a person does to or for himself or herself. In other words, it “reflects” the action of the verb back to the subject. Reflexive verbs always use reflexive pronouns.

Subject | Subject

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​André se rase à huit heures.

​

André shaves (himself) at 8 o'clock

How to recognize a reflexive verb?

​The pronoun se before an infinitive identifies the verb as reflexive: se laver. Here are some common reflexive verbs.

Subject | Subject

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How to conjugate a reflexive verb?

When a reflexive verb is conjugated, the reflexive pronoun agrees with the subject. Reflexive pronouns have the same forms as direct and indirect object pronouns, except for se, which is used for both singular and plural 3rd person subjects.

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I wash (myself​)

You wash (yourself)

He/She​/It washes (himself/herself/itself)

We wash (ourselves)

Y'all wash (yourselves)

They wash (themselves)​

​

​Je me lave

Tu te laves

Il/elle/on se lave

Nous nous lavons

Vous vous lavez

Ils/ Elles se lavent​

Se Laver

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Open Ended

Translate in English: Tu te couches.

Open Ended

Translate in English: Je me maquille aussi.

Open Ended

Les enfants se réveillent

Open Ended

Nous nous levons très tôt

Not a mistake...

Note that the reflexive pronouns nous and vous are identical to the corresponding subject pronouns.

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​Nous nous regardons dans le miroir. We look at ourselves in the mirror

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Vous vous habillez ​déjà. We are already getting dressed.

Subject | Subject

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Verbs exceptions

The conjuguaison of the verbs "s'endormir" and "se lever" is a bit different

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Je me lève

Tu te lèves

il/elle/on se lève

Nous nous levons

Vous vous levez

Ils/elles se lèvent​

Se lever

Je m'endors

Tu t'endors

il/elle/on s'endort

Nous nous endormons

Vous vous endormez​

Ils/ elles s'endorment​

S'endormir

The conjuguaison of the verbs "s'endormir" and "se lever" is a bit different

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Multiple Choice

Fill in the blank:

Je .............. à 22h30

• me couche

• me réveille

• me lève

Multiple Choice

Fill in the bkank:

Nous ......... quand nous sortons

• nous maquillons

• nous endormons

• nous séchons

Multiple Choice

Tu ..................... toujours les dents après les repas?

• te brosses

• te coiffes

• te rases

Multiple Choice

Les garçons ............... en jeans

• s'habille

• t'habilles

• s'habillent

Multiple Choice

On ................. avant de prendre une douche

• se déshabillent

• se déshabille

• nous déshabillons

Multiple Choice

Daniel et toi.................. les mains tout le temps

• vous lavez

• te laves

• se lavent

EVERY NOUN NEEDS AN ARTICLE

When a body part is mentioned with a reflexive verbs, in French we will use a definite article instead of a possessive article in English​

Vous vous lavez les mains > You wash your hands​

Je me brosse les dents > I brush my teeth​

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Double use

Some verbs can be used both reflexively and non-reflexively. If the verb acts upon something other than the subject, the non-reflexive form is used.

​

La mère se réveille à sept heures. Ensuite, elle réveille son fils à huit heures.

The mother wakes up at seven. Then, he wakes her son up at eight. ​

Subject | Subject

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Imperative

Form the imperative of a reflexive verb as you would a non-reflexive verb. Add the reflexive pronoun to the end of an affirmative command. In negative commands, place the reflexive pronoun between ne and the verb. (Remember to change me/te to moi/toi in affirmative commands.)

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Réveille-toi Bruno! but Ne te réveille pas!

Wake-up Don't wake-up! ​

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Open Ended

Put those words in the correct order to create a sentence:

toi / Lave / les mains / -

Open Ended

Put those words in the correct order to create a sentence:

pas / Ne / vous / levez

Open Ended

Put those words in the correct order to create a sentence:

Couchons / nous / tôt / -

Open Ended

Put those words in the correct order to create a sentence:

te / Ne / pas / déshabille

Your turn!

​Fill in the blank with the correct form of the reflexive verb

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