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A superb guide to reflexive verbs in French, plus 130 examples

July 05, 2023

Author

Elinor Zucchet

Reflexive verbs play a crucial role in the French language. If you want to speak French like a native speaker — or almost — and add depth to your conversations, there’s no way around them!

You’ll need them to talk or write about:

Daily activities
Preferences
Personal routine/care
Emotions
And much more!

Some actions that are not inherently reflexive in English require a reflexive verb in French, so it’s important to learn them in order to speak properly.

Tu te demandes si tu vas tout comprendre ? Don’t worry: in this article, we’re going to explain everything you need to know about reflexive verbs in French, with concrete examples.

Ready, steady… read!

What are reflexive verbs?
How do you recognize reflexive verbs in French?
Reflexive verb conjugation in French
List of the 130+ most common reflexive French verbs
Examples of reflexive verbs in a sentence

Group of people getting ready for a fun activity.

What are reflexive verbs?

Reflexive verbs, or “verbes pronominaux”, indicate that the subject of the sentence is also the recipient of the action, emphasizing the self-referential aspect of the verb. In other words, the subject is performing an action on themselves.

In French, reflexive verbs are formed by adding a reflexive pronoun to the verb. The reflexive pronouns correspond to the different subjects and indicate the relationship between the subject and the action. They include:

Je (myself)
Tu (yourself, informal)
Il/Elle (himself/herself)
Nous (ourselves)
Vous (yourselves, formal or plural)
Ils/Elles (themselves)

While there are hundreds of reflexive verbs in French, we’ll focus on the main ones.

How do you recognize reflexive verbs in French?

Here are the main differences between reflexive and non-reflexive verbs in French that will help you recognize and remember them:

Studying how to recognize reflexive verbs in French.

Action and subject

Reflexive verbs: The subject of the verb performs the action on itself. The action reflects back to the subject. For example, "se laver" (to wash oneself) implies that the subject is washing themselves.
Non-reflexive verbs: The subject performs the action on someone or something else. There is no reflection of the action back to the subject. For example, "laver" (to wash) means that the subject is washing something or someone else.

Pronouns

Reflexive verbs: Reflexive verbs are accompanied by reflexive pronouns that agree with the subject. The reflexive pronouns indicate that the action is being done to oneself. Examples of reflexive pronouns include "me," "te", "se", "nous", "vous", and "se."
Non-reflexive verbs: Non-reflexive verbs do not require reflexive pronouns. The subject of the verb is not performing the action on itself. The pronouns used with non-reflexive verbs depend on the grammatical context, but typically include subject pronouns like "je", "tu", "il/elle/on", "nous", "vous", "ils/elles."

Sentence structure

Reflexive verbs: Reflexive verbs are conjugated with the reflexive pronoun that agrees with the subject and is placed before the conjugated verb. Additionally, reflexive verbs often require a reflexive pronoun to serve as a direct object in the sentence. For example, "Je me lave les mains" (I wash my hands), where "me" is the reflexive pronoun.
Non-reflexive verbs: Non-reflexive verbs are conjugated without reflexive pronouns. The subject of the verb is followed by the conjugated verb directly. For example, "Je lave la voiture" (I wash the car), where "Je" is the subject pronoun.

Note: some verbs can be both reflexive and non-reflexive, depending on the context and meaning. The reflexive pronouns change the meaning of the verb, indicating a reflexive action. For example, "lever" means "to lift," while "se lever" means "to get up" (reflexive action).

Reflexive verb conjugation in French

Word order

In French, the word order with reflexive verbs follows a specific pattern. Here's the typical word order in a simple affirmative sentence:

Subject + reflexive pronoun + conjugated verb + rest of the sentence

For example, with the reflexive verb "se laver" (to wash oneself) in the present tense:

Je me lave. (I wash myself.)

Negation

To negate reflexive verbs in French, you can use the following structure:

Subject + ne/n' + reflexive pronoun + conjugated verb + pas

Here's an example with the reflexive verb "se laver" (to wash oneself) in the present tense:

Je ne me lave pas. (I don't wash myself — Maybe you should?)

Speaking of which, it’s time to talk about a French cliché. As a Monica-clean French person, I strongly encourage you to watch this video! Also, have you ever seen the shower gel aisle of a French grocery store?

The French and hygiene: Why is the negative stereotype so hard to wash off?

Reflexive verbs in the present tense

Here is the conjugation pattern for regular reflexive verbs:

Je me + verb
Tu te + verb
Il/Elle/On se + verb
Nous nous + verb
Vous vous + verb
Ils/Elles se + verb

Let's continue with the reflexive — and polemical — verb "se laver" as an example:

Je me lave. (I wash myself.)
Tu te laves. (You wash yourself.)
Il/Elle/On se lave. (He/She/One washes oneself.)
Nous nous lavons. (We wash ourselves.)
Vous vous lavez. (You wash yourselves.)
Ils/Elles se lavent. (They wash themselves.)

Reflexive verbs in other simple tenses

Reflexive verbs in the future tense

The future tense is formed by adding the appropriate endings to the infinitive form of the reflexive verb.

Example: Je me laverai. (I will wash myself — Good plan)

Reflexive verbs in the conditional tense

The conditional tense is formed by adding the appropriate endings to the infinitive form of the reflexive verb.

Example: Je me laverais. (I would wash myself — No excuses!)

Reflexive verbs in the imperfect tense

The imperfect tense is formed by removing the reflexive pronoun and conjugating the remaining verb as if it were a regular verb.

Example: Je me lavais. (I used to wash myself — You can still do it!)

Reflexive verbs in the imperative

The imperative form of reflexive verbs is used to give commands or make requests.

Example: Lave-toi. (Wash yourself — Seriously, do it!)

Reflexive verbs in infinitive

Reflexive verbs in the infinitive form in French are identified by the presence of the reflexive pronoun "se" before the verb.

Example: Se laver (To wash oneself — Yep, it’s a good habit.)

Reflexive verbs in compound tenses

Reflexive verbs in the past tense (passé composé)

The passé composé is formed with the auxiliary verb "être" (conjugated in the present tense) and the past participle of the reflexive verb.

Example: Je me suis lavé(e). (I washed myself — well done)

Irregularities when conjugating reflexive verbs in French

Of course, as always, with the French language, there are some irregularities and exceptions. Here are the main ones:

"Se" can change to "s'" when preceding a verb starting with a vowel or a silent "h." Example: s'asseoir (to sit down) - Je m'assois (I sit down)
When using reflexive verbs with a double pronoun (reflexive pronoun + object pronoun), the reflexive pronoun often changes position and becomes attached to the end of the verb. Example: se les laver (to wash them) - Je me les lave (I wash them)

List of the 130+ most common reflexive verbs in French

You’ve been waiting for them impatiently… And here they are, the most common reflexive verbs, just for you!

Man reading a list of the 130+ most common reflexive verbs in French.

s'abstenir (to abstain)
s'adapter (to adapt)
s'agenouiller (to kneel)
s'agiter (to get agitated)
s'aimer (to love each other)
s'améliorer (to improve oneself)
s'amuser (to have fun)
s'arrêter (to stop oneself)
s'asseoir (to sit down)
s'attarder (to linger)
s'attendre (to expect)
s'attendrir (to become tender)
se baigner (to bathe)
se battre (to fight)
se blesser (to injure oneself)
se blottir (to snuggle)
se cacher (to hide oneself)
se calmer (to calm down)
se changer (to change clothes)
se coiffer (to do one's hair)
se concentrer (to concentrate)
se conduire (to behave)
se confier (to confide)
se contenter (to be content)
se convertir (to convert)
se corriger (to correct oneself)
se coucher (to go to bed)
se couper (to cut oneself)
se débrouiller (to manage)
se déguiser (to disguise oneself)
se délecter (to delight)
se dépêcher (to hurry)
se dépenser (to spend)
se détendre (to relax)
se développer (to develop oneself)
se disputer (to argue)
se divertir (to entertain oneself)
se doucher (to shower)
se douter (to suspect)
se droguer (to take drugs)
se réveiller (to wake up)
se reposer (to rest)
se réunir (to meet)
se risquer (to risk oneself)
se ruer (to rush)
se sauver (to save oneself)
se secouer (to shake oneself)
se sentir (to feel)
se servir (to serve oneself)
se taire (to be quiet)
se tromper (to make a mistake)
se vanter (to boast)
se vêtir (to dress oneself)
se voir (to see each other)
s'échapper (to escape)
s'éclaircir (to clear up)
s'éclater (to have a blast)
s'écouter (to listen to oneself)
s'efforcer (to strive)
s'embrasser (to kiss each other)
s'en aller (to go away)
s'ennuyer (to get bored)
s'enrichir (to enrich oneself)
s'énerver (to get irritated)
s'enfuir (to run away)
s'enivrer (to get drunk)
s'entendre (to get along)
s'enthousiasmer (to get excited)
s'envoler (to fly away)
s'épanouir (to blossom)
s'éprendre (to fall in love)
s'épuiser (to exhaust oneself)
s'éteindre (to go out)
s'étonner (to be amazed)
s'évader (to escape)
s'évanouir (to faint)
se fiancer (to get engaged)
se fâcher (to get angry)
se fatiguer (to get tired)
se fier (to trust)
se figurer (to imagine)
se flatter (to flatter oneself)
se fuir (to flee from each other)
se garer (to park oneself)
se gaver (to stuff oneself)
se gêner (to feel awkward)
se gratter (to scratch oneself)
se gratifier (to reward oneself)
se hisser (to hoist oneself)
se laver (to wash oneself)
se lever (to get up)
se maquiller (to put on makeup)
se marier (to get married)
se méfier (to be wary)
se mettre (to put oneself)
se moquer (to make fun of)
se munir (to equip oneself)
se noyer (to drown)
se nourrir (to feed oneself)
se pavaner (to strut)
se passer (to happen)
se peigner (to comb one's hair)
se plaindre (to complain)
se préoccuper (to worry)
se préparer (to get ready)
se promener (to take a walk)
se prosterner (to prostrate oneself)
se protéger (to protect oneself)
se qualifier (to qualify oneself)
se rappeler (to remember)
se raser (to shave oneself)
se réconcilier (to reconcile)
se reposer (to rest)
se retourner (to turn around)
se réveiller (to wake up)
se risquer (to risk oneself)
se sauver (to save oneself)
se secouer (to shake oneself)
se sentir (to feel)
se servir (to serve oneself)
se taire (to be quiet)
se tromper (to make a mistake)
se vanter (to boast)
se vêtir (to dress oneself)
se voir (to see each other)
se volatiliser (to vanish)
se voiler (to veil oneself)
se vouvoyer (to address each other formally)
se réveiller (to wake up)
se reposer (to rest)
se réunir (to meet)
se risquer (to risk oneself)
se sauver (to save oneself)
se secouer (to shake oneself)
se sentir (to feel)

Examples of reflexive verbs in a sentence

Below are a few examples of reflexive verbs in French in a variety of contexts and tenses.

Elle s'adapte facilement à de nouvelles situations. (She adapts easily to new situations.)
Les enfants s'agitent lorsqu'ils sont excités. (The children get agitated when they are excited.)
Nous nous aimons profondément. (We love each other deeply.)
Tu t'améliores chaque jour. (You are improving yourself every day.)
Ils s'amusent bien à la fête. (They are having fun at the party.)
Nous nous asseyons à la table. (We sit down at the table.)
Vous vous attardez toujours au travail. (You always linger at work.)
Vous vous êtes rencontré(e)s à l'université. (You met each other in college.)
Ils se sont disputés hier. (They argued yesterday.)
Elles se sont maquillées avant le spectacle. (They put on makeup before the show.)
Il se reposera pendant le weekend. (He will rest during the weekend.)
Elle se lavera les cheveux ce soir. (She will wash her hair tonight — What’s with all the washing?)
Elle se faisait toujours une joie de le voir. (She was always happy to see him.)
Va te faire cuire un œuf. (Go fry an egg, or a nice way to tell someone to go take a hike — More slang in French here).

I hope this article taught you everything you need to know about reflexive verbs in French… and hygiene!

Whether it's the simple act of getting ready in the morning or engaging in self-care — like showering —reflexive verbs play a significant role in daily conversations.

Learning and mastering reflexive verbs opens up a world of possibilities pour s’exprimer en français.

And as always, you can refer to our French blog to continue your exciting learning journey!