Les verbes pronominaux

These verbs use a special set of object pronouns.  ex. se laver (to wash oneself, to get washed) je me lavenous nous lavons tu te lavesvous vous lavez il se laveils se lavent elle se laveelles se lavent on se lave

The pronoun usually indicates that the action is reflexive.  Je me lave. = I am washing myself.  Elle se maquille. = She is putting make- up on herself.  Nous nous regardons. = We are looking at ourselves.

Sometimes the action is not reflexive, but rather reciprocal.  Ils se téléphonent. = They phone each other.  Nous nous parlons. = We talk to each other.  Vous vous battez! = You are fighting with each other!

Most of these verbs are –ER verbs. The rules for le présent do not change when dealing with un verbe pronominal.  One common verb undergoes an accent change: se lever (to get up, to get out of bed) je me lève nous nous levons tu te lèves vous vous levez elle se lèveelles se lèvent il se lèveils se lèvent on se lève

There are a few irregular verbs in the photocopied list that you will receive.  se souvenir—conjugated like VENIR  se battre—like METTRE  s’endormir—like DORMIR (to sleep) je dorsnous dormons tu dorsvous dormez il dortils dorment

 s’asseoir— like nothing you’ve ever seen before je m’assiedsnous nous asseyons tu t’assiedsvous vous asseyez elle s’assiedelles s’asseyent *devant une voyelle: mem’ tet’ tet’ ses’ ses’