How to use reflexive verbs in French?
How to use reflexive verbs in French? Did you know that in French, you can wash yourself, dress yourself, and even talk to yourself? That’s right, it’s all thanks to reflexive verbs! It’s not as complicated as it sounds, and it can actually be a lot of fun once you get the hang of it.
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How to use reflexive verbs in French?
#1 What are Reflexive verbs
Reflexive verbs in French are verbs that are used when the subject is also the object of the action. This means that the person doing the action is also the person receiving the action.
For example, if I say “Je me brosse les dents,” it means “I am brushing my teeth” The verb “brosser” is reflexive because the subject “je” is also the object “me” in this sentence.
In other words, the action of washing is being done to oneself. They mostly describe your daily routine.
Les verbes rĂ©flĂ©chis en français sont des verbes qui sont utilisĂ©s lorsque le sujet est Ă©galement l’objet de l’action. Cela signifie que la personne qui effectue l’action est Ă©galement la personne qui reçoit l’action.
Par exemple, si je dis “Je me brosse les dents,”, cela signifie “I am brushing my teeth”. Le verbe “brosser” est rĂ©flĂ©chi car le sujet “je” est Ă©galement l’objet “me” dans cette phrase.
En d’autres termes, l’action de se brosser est effectuĂ©e sur soi-mĂȘme.
#2 How to use reflexive verbs
Reflexive verbs are usually accompanied by a reflexive pronoun (me, te, se, nous, vous, se) which indicates who is performing the action on themselves.
They always start with
je me/je m’
tu te/tu t’
il se/il s’
elle se/elle s’
nous nous
vous vous
ils se/ils s’
elles se/elle s’
#3 Common French reflexive verbs
se réveiller = to wake up
se lever = to get up/to stand up
se raser = to shave
se laver = to wash
se brosser les dents = to brush teeth
s’habiller = to get dressed
se préparer = to get ready
se reposer = to rest
se coucher = to go to bed
#4 Let’s practice!
To form the present tense of -er verbs, you take the stem of the verb (which is the part before the -er) and add different endings depending on the subject of the sentence.
For example, for the verb “se prĂ©parer” (to get ready), you take the stem “prĂ©par” and add “-e” for “je” (I), “-es” for “tu” (you, singular), “-e” for “il/elle” (he/she), “-ons” for “nous” (we), “-ez” for “vous” (you, plural), and “-ent” for “ils/elles” (they).
Elle s’habille = she is getting dressed
Nous nous reposons = we are resting
Vous vous réveillez = you wake up/ you are waking up
Je me brosse les dents = I’m brushing my teeth
Of course, they are many more but now that you’ve mastered reflexive verbs in French, you can impress all your friends by describing your daily routines in French. Who knew talking about brushing your teeth could be so exciting?
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