Reflexive verbs
se lever, s'appeler: verbs with a pronoun for the subject.
A reflexive verb has a pronoun that refers back to its subject, shown by se in the infinitive: se lever "to get up", literally "to raise oneself".
me, te and se become m', t' and s' before a vowel: je m'appelle, il s'habille.
Common reflexive verbs
| Verb | Meaning |
|---|---|
| se lever | to get up |
| se réveiller | to wake up |
| se coucher | to go to bed |
| s'habiller | to get dressed |
| se laver | to wash |
| s'appeler | to be called |
| se promener | to go for a walk |
| s'amuser | to have fun |
| se dépêcher | to hurry |
| se souvenir de | to remember |
| se tromper | to make a mistake |
| se passer | to happen |
Many aren't reflexive in English. In the plural, a reflexive can also mean "each other": Ils s'aiment "They love each other", On se voit demain "See you tomorrow", literally "we see each other tomorrow".
In other forms
- Negative: Je ne me lève pas.
- With another verb: Je vais me coucher, the pronoun matching the subject.
- Commands: Lève-toi !, Dépêchez-vous !; negative Ne te lève pas !
- Passé composé, with être: Je me suis levé, Elle s'est levée.
Cards from this guide
8 cardsEach card asks about one thing this guide teaches, and its back gives the answer with why and an example. They're reviewed with the rest of the Verbs cards.
How do you say "I get up"?
Je me lève.
What does Je m'appelle Paul say, word for word?
"I call myself Paul."
How do you say "They talk to each other every day"?
Ils se parlent tous les jours.
Which helper verb do reflexive verbs take in the passé composé?
être: je me suis levé.
How do you say "Get up!" to a friend?
Lève-toi !
How do you say "I'm going to bed" with aller?
Je vais me coucher.
What does Qu'est-ce qui se passe ? mean?
"What's happening?"
Where does ne … pas go with a reflexive verb?
Around the pronoun and the verb: Je ne me lève pas.