🔄 How to Use French Reflexive Verbs (With Rules and Examples)

French has a special group of verbs called reflexive verbs (les verbes pronominaux). They are used when the subject of the verb is also the object — in other words, when you do something to yourself.

They are very common in everyday French, especially for daily routines like se lever (to get up), se laver (to wash), s’habiller (to get dressed).

This guide explains how reflexive verbs work, how to conjugate them, and when to use them.

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1. What Are Reflexive Verbs in French?

A reflexive verb is a verb that comes with a reflexive pronoun (me, te, se, nous, vous, se).

Formula:
👉 subject + reflexive pronoun + verb

Example:

• Je me lève. → I get up (I lift myself).

• Tu te réveilles. → You wake up.

• Elle se lave. → She washes (herself).

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2. Reflexive Pronouns

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3. How to Conjugate Reflexive Verbs

Conjugate the verb normally, but add the reflexive pronoun before it.

Example: se lever (to get up) — Present tense

• je me lève

• tu te lèves

• il/elle/on se lève

• nous nous levons

• vous vous levez

• ils/elles se lèvent

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4. Reflexive Verbs in Different Tenses

Present Tense

• Je me lave. → I wash myself.

Passé Composé

Always use être as the auxiliary verb.

• Je me suis levé(e). → I got up.

• Elles se sont habillées. → They got dressed.

⚠️ Reflexive verbs in passé composé agree in gender and number with the subject (except when followed by a direct object).

Future Tense

• Je vais me coucher. → I’m going to bed.

• Nous allons nous amuser. → We are going to have fun.

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5. When to Use Reflexive Verbs

✅ Daily Routines

• se lever → to get up

• se laver → to wash

• s’habiller → to get dressed

• se coucher → to go to bed

✅ Emotions and States

• se fâcher → to get angry

• s’inquiéter → to worry

• se souvenir de → to remember

✅ Reciprocal Actions (each other)

• Ils se regardent. → They look at each other.

• Nous nous parlons. → We talk to each other.

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6. Common Reflexive Verbs

• se dépêcher → to hurry

• se reposer → to rest

• s’amuser → to have fun

• se sentir → to feel

• s’appeler → to be called (name)

• se marier → to get married

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7. Examples in Sentences

• Je me lève à 7 heures. → I get up at 7.

• Elle se maquille avant de sortir. → She puts on makeup before going out.

• Nous nous souvenons de ce voyage. → We remember that trip.

• Ils se sont rencontrés à l’école. → They met each other at school.

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✅ Quick Recap

• Reflexive verbs use me, te, se, nous, vous, se.

• In passé composé → always with être.

• Use them for daily routines, emotions, and reciprocal actions.

• Examples: se lever, se laver, se souvenir, s’amuser.

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🎯 Practice Exercise

Translate into French using reflexive verbs:

1. I get up at 8 o’clock.

2. She is going to bed.

3. We met each other yesterday.

4. They are hurrying.

5. Do you (tu) remember this story?

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Conclusion

French reflexive verbs are essential for daily conversation. Once you master the reflexive pronouns and learn common verbs like se lever, s’habiller, se souvenir, you’ll be able to describe routines, feelings, and even reciprocal actions naturally.

👉 Pro tip: Start by practicing reflexive verbs with your morning routine (Je me réveille, je me lave, je m’habille…).