Reflexive pronouns are used when the subject performs an action on itself, meaning the subject and object are the same. In French, reflexive verbs always include a reflexive pronoun that matches the subject.
- Definition: Pronouns that refer back to the subject.
- Use: With reflexive verbs (actions done to oneself).
| Subject | Reflexive Pronoun | Example: se laver (to wash oneself) |
|---|---|---|
| Je | me (m') | Je me lave. (I wash myself.) |
| Tu | te (t') | Tu te laves. (You wash yourself.) |
| Il/Elle/On | se (s') | Il se lave. (He washes himself.) |
| Nous | nous | Nous nous lavons. (We wash...) |
| Vous | vous | Vous vous lavez. (You wash...) |
| Ils/Elles | se (s') | Ils se lavent. (They wash...) |
Reflexive pronouns are used when the subject performs the action on itself, typically with reflexive verbs.
The reflexive pronoun for 'nous' is 'nous'.
Yes, you use reflexive pronouns when the verb is used in a reflexive sense, even if it can be non-reflexive.
Conjugation of Reflexive Verbs
Reflexive verbs are conjugated like regular verbs, but always include the reflexive pronoun before the verb.
- Reflexive pronoun + verb = full conjugation.
| Subject | Parler (to speak) | Se Réveiller (to wake up) |
|---|---|---|
| Regular | Reflexive | |
| Je | parle | me réveille |
| Tu | parles | te réveilles |
| Il/Elle | parle | se réveille |
| Nous | parlons | nous réveillons |
| Vous | parlez | vous réveillez |
| Ils/Elles | parlent | se réveillent |
Reflexive verbs are conjugated like regular verbs, with the reflexive pronoun matching the subject.
For 'vous', the reflexive form is 'vous réveillez'.
Reflexive pronouns remain the same in negative sentences, but their placement changes.
Agreement in the Past Tense
With être as the auxiliary, the past participle agrees in gender and number with the subject (except when a reflexive verb has a direct object following it).
- Auxiliary: être
- Agreement: Past participle agrees with subject
Examples (with se laver):
- Elle s'est lavée. (She washed herself.) [fem. sing.= -e]
- Ils se sont lavés. (They washed themselves.) [masc. pl.= -s]
- Nous nous sommes lavé(e)s. (We washed ourselves.) [e if all female, s for plural]
Reflexive verbs use être as the auxiliary verb in the passé composé.
The past participle agrees with the subject when used with être, unless a direct object follows the verb.
The correct form is 'Elles se sont réveillées' (with agreement for feminine plural).
Common Reflexive Verbs
| Verb (Infinitive) | Meaning | Example (Je) |
|---|---|---|
| se lever | to get up | Je me lève. |
| s'habiller | to get dressed | Je m'habille. |
| se coucher | to go to bed | Je me couche. |
| se réveiller | to wake up | Je me réveille. |
| se maquiller | to put on makeup | Je me maquille. |
| s'amuser | to have fun | Je m'amuse. |
| se doucher | to take a shower | Je me douche. |
Common reflexive verbs include se lever, s'habiller, se réveiller, and s'amuser.
'Se coucher' means to go to bed.
Conclusion
Reflexive pronouns are essential for expressing actions that the subject does to itself and are used with reflexive verbs in French. Understanding their forms, conjugation patterns, and usage in different tenses is crucial for mastering French grammar.
- Reflexive pronouns match the subject and are used with verbs that describe actions done to oneself.
- Reflexive verbs are conjugated like regular verbs, but always include the correct reflexive pronoun.
- In the past tense, reflexive verbs use "être" as the auxiliary, and the past participle usually agrees with the subject.
The reflexive pronoun for 'Ils' is 'se'.
Common reflexive verbs include se lever, s'habiller, and se coucher.
The correct phrase is 'Nous nous lavons.'
Reflexive verbs use 'être' as the auxiliary in the passé composé.
The past participle agrees with the subject unless a direct object follows the verb.