French grammar · Elementary (A2)
Reflexive verbs: se lever, s'appeler
Verbs with an extra pronoun like me, te or se: how to use them for daily routines, in the negative and in the passé composé.
What is a reflexive verb?
A reflexive verb has an extra little pronoun that refers back to the subject, like “myself” or “yourself”. In a dictionary you find it with : (to wash oneself), (to get up), (to be called).
English often doesn't need “myself”, but French always needs the pronoun: (I get up), literally “I raise myself”. Many reflexive verbs describe daily routines.
| Person | Pronoun | (to wash) |
|---|---|---|
| (m') | ||
| (t') | ||
| / / | (s') | |
| / | (s') |
Common reflexive verbs
, and become m', t' and s' before a vowel or a silent h: , .
| Verb | English | Example |
|---|---|---|
| to wake up | ||
| to get up | ||
| to have a shower | ||
| to get dressed | ||
| to go to bed | ||
| to be called | ||
| to rest |
Negatives and the passé composé
In the negative, goes before the pronoun and after the verb: (I don't get up early on Sundays).
In the passé composé, reflexive verbs always use , and the participle usually agrees with the subject: , . It doesn't agree when the verb takes before the person, as in (to talk to each other): .
- Je me suis réveillé à six heures.I woke up at six. (said by a man)
- Elle s'est habillée pour la fête.She got dressed for the party.
- Les enfants ne se sont pas couchés tôt.The children didn't go to bed early.
With an infinitive
When a reflexive verb follows another verb, the pronoun still matches the subject: (I'm going to go to bed), (You have to rest).
- Nous allons nous lever tôt demain.We're going to get up early tomorrow.
- Vous voulez vous asseoir ?Would you like to sit down?