1. French II – Mme Smith BCHS
REFLEXIVE VERBS
French II – Mme Smith
BCHS

2. When to use a reflexive verb
The action is performed by the subject on itself.
The verb has a reflexive pronoun as its object.
The subject and the object pronoun refer to the same thing.
Example: he hurt himself or we will enjoy ourselves

3. Where do reflexive object pronouns go?
Reflexive object pronouns go directly in front of the conjugated verb almost all the time. (Je me lave.)
However, reflexive object pronouns go in front of the infinitive if there is an infinitive in the sentence. (Je vais me laver.)
The second exception to the rule is that reflexive object pronouns go after the conjugated verb when the sentence is an affirmative or positive command. (Lave-toi/Lavez-vous.)

4. subject – reflexive pronoun - verb
Reflexive pronouns usually precede the verb.
Il se réveille. He wakes up.
Elle se parle. She talks to herself.
Reflexive pronouns can also be used to show reciprocal actions
Ils se parlent tous les jours.
They talk to each other every day.

5. Reflexive pronouns
nous - ourselves
vous - yourself or yourselves
se - themselves or each other
me - myself
te - yourself
se - himself or herself

6. Present tense conjugation
Je me lave
Nous nous lavons
Tu te laves
Vous vous lavez
Il/elle se lave
Ils/elles se lavent

7. Inverted questions and negatives
S’amusent-ils?
Are they enjoying themselves?
Ils ne s’amusent pas.
They are not enjoying themselves.
Ne s’amusent-ils pas?
Aren’t they enjoying themselves?
Vous levez-vous tôt?
Do you get up early?
Je ne me lève pas tôt.
I don’t get up early.
Ne vous levez-vous pas tôt?
Don’t you get up early?

8. These are some common reflexive verbs.
Vocabulaire
These are some common reflexive verbs.

9. 1
se réveiller –
to wake up

10. 2
se lever –
to get up

11. 3
se brosser les dents –
to brush one’s teeth

12. 4
se laver -
to wash oneself

13. 5
se raser –
to shave oneself

14. 6
s’habiller –
to get dressed

15. 7
se peigner –
to comb one’s hair

16. se brosser les cheveux – to brush one’s hair8
se brosser les cheveux –
to brush one’s hair

17. 9
se dépecher –
to hurry up

18. 10
se préparer –
to get oneself ready

19. to have fun/to amuse oneself11
s’amuser –
to have fun/to amuse oneself

20. 12
se déshabiller –
to get undressed

21. 13
se coucher –
to go to bed

22. Pratiquons!