Reflexive verbs – present tense
Je me lève, tu te couches…
Reflexive (or pronominal) verbs have an extra pronoun that refers back to the subject. Many daily-routine verbs are reflexive in French even when they're not in English.
The reflexive pronouns
| subject | pronoun | se laver (to wash) |
|---|---|---|
| je | me (m') | je me lave |
| tu | te (t') | tu te laves |
| il / elle / on | se (s') | il se lave |
| nous | nous | nous nous lavons |
| vous | vous | vous vous lavez |
| ils / elles | se (s') | ils se lavent |
Before a vowel or mute h: m', t', s': je m'habille, il s'appelle.
Daily routine
- Je me réveille à 7 h.I wake up at 7.
- Je me lève tout de suite.I get up right away.
- Je me douche et je m'habille.I shower and get dressed.
- Le soir, je me couche à 23 h.In the evening I go to bed at 11 pm.
Other common ones: se brosser les dents, se dépêcher, se reposer, s'asseoir, s'amuser, s'intéresser à, se promener.
Reciprocal meaning
In the plural, the reflexive can mean "each other":
- Ils s'aiment.They love each other.
- On se voit demain ?Shall we see each other tomorrow?
Negatives and infinitives
- Je ne me lève pas.I'm not getting up.
- Je vais me coucher.I'm going to go to bed.
The pronoun always matches the subject, even in the infinitive: Nous allons nous coucher.
With body parts, French uses the reflexive + definite article, not a possessive: Je me lave les mains (I wash my hands).
For the past tense, see Pronominal verbs.
Practice
- Je _____ lave.
Show the answer
me
- Tu _____ couches tard.
Show the answer
te
- Nous nous _____ à six heures. (se lever)
Show the answer
levons
- Elle _____ habille.Options: s' · se · si
Show the answer
s'
In the app, this lesson is taught one idea at a time with the examples read aloud, followed by questions that explain the rule when you get one wrong. It then comes back for review on later days until you've mastered it.