French Reflexive verbs
French Reflexive verbs are actions that the subject is performing upon itself. They are always conjugated with the reflexive pronoun that agrees with the subject: me (myself), te (yourself), se (himself, herself, itself, themselves), nous (ourselves), and vous (yourself, yourselves). These pronouns generally precede the verb.
Grammar: French Reflexive verbs – Part 1
| French |
|---|
| je – me |
| tu – te |
| il – se |
| nous – nous |
| vous – vous |
| ils – se |
| elles – se |
Can any verb become reflexive just by adding se?
Short answer: No.
In French, reflexive verbs are a grammatical category, not a mechanical transformation.
What is possible
Some verbs exist in both forms:
- non-reflexive
- reflexive, with a different meaning
Example:
approcher = to bring something closer
s’approcher = to move oneself closer
But…
What is NOT possible
You cannot freely add se to any verb and expect it to be correct or meaningful.
French speakers learn reflexive verbs as lexical units:
se souvenir
s’enfuir
se méfier
s’approcher
If a reflexive form exists, it’s because French has conventionalized it, not because grammar allows it automatically.
Reflexive verbs List
| Nro | French | English |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | s’approcher de | to approach |
| 2 | s’arrêter de | to stop |
| 3 | se baigner | to bathe, swim |
| 4 | se blesser | to hurt oneself |
| 5 | se bronzer | to tan |
| 6 | se brosser | to brush |
| 7 | se brûler | to burn oneself |
| 8 | se casser | to break |
| 9 | se coiffer | to do one’s hair |
| 10 | se coucher | to go to bed |
| 11 | se couper | to cut oneself |
| 12 | se demander | to wonder |
| 13 | se dépêcher | to hurry |
| 14 | se déshabiller | to undress |
| 15 | se détendre | to relax |
| 16 | s’endormir | to go to sleep |
| 17 | se fâcher | to get angry |
| 18 | s’habiller | to dress |
| 19 | s’impatienter | to become impatient |
| 20 | s’inquiéter de* | to worry about |
| 21 | se laver | to wash |
| 22 | se lever* | to get up |
| 23 | se maquiller | to apply make‐up |
| 24 | se mettre à | to begin |
| 25 | s’occuper de | to take care of |
| 26 | se peigner | to comb |
| 27 | se présenter | to introduce oneself |
| 28 | se promener* | to take a walk |
| 29 | se rappeler* | to recall |
| 30 | se raser | to shave |
| 31 | se reposer | to rest |
| 32 | se réunirse | to meet |
| 33 | se réveiller | to wake up |
| 34 | se servir de | to use |
| 35 | se tromper | to make a mistake |
| 36 | s’écrier | to exclaim, cry out |
| 37 | s’en aller | to leave, go away |
| 38 | se fier à | to trust |
| 39 | se méfier de | to distrust |
| 40 | se moquer de | to make fun of |
| 41 | se soucier de | to care about |
| 42 | se souvenir de | to remember |
Practice French Reflexive verbs here:
Start reviewing the flashcards in the following Quizlet and then feel free to use the different options from Quizlet, such us match, learn, test or spell.
Do you want to practice Reflexive verbs in sentences?
French Reflexive Sentences
Practice here
Do you want to practice a dictation with Reflexive verbs?
Grammar for Level 2 – List
1. French Reflexive verbs:
a) Only verbs: Verbes pronominaux (part 1) (part 2)
b) Sentences : Verbes pronominaux(Phrases)
c) Practice : Verbes pronominaux(Practice)
2. Word order for showing possession:
Ordre des mots pour montrer la possession
3. Adjectives:
a) Adjectives and Nouns : Adjectifs et noms
b) Adjectives Endings : Types of adjectives
c) Descriptive Adjectives : Les adjectifs qualificatifs
d) Describing Personality: Les adjectifs de la personnalité
e) Practice 1 : Flashcard of important adjectives
f) Practice 2 : Choosing the right answer
g) Practice 3 : 16 Sentences practice
4. IRREGULAR Verbs:
a) Only verbs: Verbes irréguliers(verbes)
b) Sentences: 15 verbes irréguliers (phrases)
c) Practice: 15 verbes irréguliers (practice)
d) To be able to – To want – To have to – To know:
Pouvoir, Vouloir, Devoir et Savoir (Test)
5. Compound Past (The preterit):
a) Definition: Le Passé composé
b) Dr Mrs Vandertramp: Dr Mrs Vandertramp
c) Auxiliary to be or to have: Auxiliaire être ou avoir (Test)
d) Sentences ER verbs passé composé: Phrases ER verbes passé composé
e) Sentences IR verbs passé composé: Phrases IR verbes passé composé
f) Sentences RE verbs passé composé: Phrases RE verbes passé composé
6. Imperfect tense (L’imparfait):
a) Definition: L’imparfait
b) Imparfait practice 1: La maison de mon enfance
c)
d) Sentences ER verbs imparfait: Phrases ER verbes imparfait
e) Sentences IR verbs imparfait: Phrases IR verbes imparfait
f) Sentences RE verbs imparfait: Phrases RE verbes imparfait
7. Prepositions: (verb to go and to come in passé composé):
Les prépositions et le verbe aller et venir au passé composé
8.French expressions with the verb to have (avoir):
Expressions françaises avec Avoir
9. 5 Most common French Grammar mistakes:
Les 5 erreurs de grammaire française les plus courantes
10. Quiz Game Level 2: Quiz
11. The use of “t” in French questions : L’utilisation du ‘t’ dans les questions en français
Conjugation practice for Level 2
1. French verbs starting with a-b-c:
Verbes français commençant par a-b-c
2. Sentences with French verbs starting with a-b-c (Présent):
Phrases avec verbes français commençant par a-b-c (Présent)
3. Sentences with French verbs starting with a-b-c (Imparfait):
Phrases avec verbes français commençant par a-b-c (Imparfait)
4. Sentences with French verbs starting with a-b-c (Passé Composé):
Phrases avec verbes français commençant par a-b-c (Passé Composé)
5. Sentences with French verbs starting with a-b-c (Future Proche):
Phrases avec verbes français commençant par a-b-c (Future Proche)
6. Sentences with French verbs starting with a-b-c (Future Simple):
Phrases avec verbes français commençant par a-b-c (Future Simple)
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French Resources for Level 2:
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