French

Buy THE EVERYTHING LEARNING FRENCH BOOK

Understanding Reflexive Verbs by Bruce Sallee and David Hebert

The reflexive pronouns found in reflexive verbs bear great similarity to the pronouns discussed in Chapter 9. The only difference is in the third person, where there is no gender distinction and, thus, the same word is used for both masculine and feminine subjects.

Table 13-1

French Reflexive Pronouns

Person	Singular	Plural
1st Person	me (m')	nous
2nd Person	te (t')	vous
3rd Person	se (s')	se (s')

Fortunately, reflexive pronouns are pretty easy to keep straight because they always match the subject of the sentence. Whenever the object of the verb, or reflexive pronoun, (for example, te or “you”) is the same as the subject (for example, tu or “you”), the action is being performed reflexively. When you use a reflexive verb, all you have to do is match the object pronoun with the subject and use it with the appropriate verb.

<tgroup cols="2"> <colspec colname="col1" colnum="1" colwidth="60%" colsep="0" rowsep="0" align="left"/> <colspec colname="col2" colnum="2" colwidth="40%" colsep="0" rowsep="0" align="left"/> <tbody> <tr> <td><p><emphasis>Je me lève à six heures</emphasis>.</p></td> <td><p>I get up at 6 a.m.</p></td> </tr> <tr> <td><p><emphasis>Il se brosse les dents</emphasis>.</p></td> <td><p>He is brushing his teeth.</p></td> </tr> </tbody> </tgroup> </table> <p>These reflexive verbs describe actions that occur around the house.</p> <div class="npmo"> <img src="http://0.tqn.com/d/np/french/track.jpg"> <div class="npcp"><p><B>TRACK 61</B></p></div> </div> <p><B>Table 13-2</B></p> <table frame="none" width="100%"> <title/> <tgroup cols="2"> <colspec colname="col1" colnum="1" colwidth="60%" colsep="0" rowsep="0" align="left"/> <colspec colname="col2" colnum="2" colwidth="40%" colsep="0" rowsep="0" align="left"/> <tbody> <tr> <td><p><B>Reflexive Verb</B></p></td> <td><p><B>English</B></p></td> </tr> <tr> <td><p><emphasis>s'appeler</emphasis></p></td> <td><p>to be named; to be called</p></td> </tr> <tr> <td><p><emphasis>se réveiller</emphasis></p></td> <td><p>to wake up</p></td> </tr> <tr> <td><p><emphasis>se lever</emphasis></p></td> <td><p>to get up</p></td> </tr> <tr> <td><p><emphasis>s'endormir</emphasis></p></td> <td><p>to fall asleep</p></td> </tr> <tr> <td><p><emphasis>se laver</emphasis></p></td> <td><p>to wash (oneself)</p></td> </tr> <tr> <td><p><emphasis>se sécher</emphasis></p></td> <td><p>to dry (oneself)</p></td> </tr> <tr> <td><p><emphasis>se raser</emphasis></p></td> <td><p>to shave (oneself)</p></td> </tr> <tr> <td><p><emphasis>s'habiller</emphasis></p></td> <td><p>to get dressed</p></td> </tr> <tr> <td><p><emphasis>se coiffer</emphasis></p></td> <td><p>to comb one's hair</p></td> </tr> <tr> <td><p><emphasis>se brosser</emphasis></p></td> <td><p>to brush</p></td> </tr> <tr> <td><p><emphasis>se maquiller</emphasis></p></td> <td><p>to put on makeup</p></td> </tr> <tr> <td><p><emphasis>se reposer</emphasis></p></td> <td><p>to rest</p></td> </tr> <tr> <td><p><emphasis>se déshabiller</emphasis></p></td> <td><p>to undress (oneself)</p></td> </tr> </tbody> </tgroup> </table> <p>In theory, all of these verbs can be used with other pronouns as the direct object, but then the verbs are not being used reflexively. Only when the direct object matches the subject is the verb being used in a reflexive construction.</p> <p>English also tends to handle many of these verbs idiomatically. Just because a reflexive pronoun appears in French, it doesn't mean that a corresponding English word is required; “to wash up,” “to wake up,” and “to fall asleep” are all examples of English verbs that use a completely different construction from French. Treat them all as idiomatic expressions that require a little bit of extra care in translation. Treat reflexive pronouns as a signpost that tells you that the action is reverting back to the subject, and then choose the most appropriate English equivalent based on that.</p> <table frame="none" width="100%"> <title/> <tgroup cols="2"> <colspec colname="col1" colnum="1" colwidth="60%" colsep="0" rowsep="0" align="left"/> <colspec colname="col2" colnum="2" colwidth="40%" colsep="0" rowsep="0" align="left"/> <tbody> <tr> <td><p><emphasis>Je m'appelle David</emphasis>.</p></td> <td><p>My name is David.</p></td> </tr> <tr> <td><p><emphasis>Il s'habille dans sa chambre</emphasis>.</p></td> <td><p>He is getting dressed in his bedroom.</p></td> </tr> </tbody> </tgroup> </table> <p>Other verbs that are not usually reflexive can be used reflexively. When they are, their meaning changes, as seen in the following chart:</p> <p><B>Table 13-3</B></p> <table frame="none" width="100%"> <h2>Verbs Used Reflexively</h2> <tgroup cols="2"> <colspec colname="col1" colnum="1" colwidth="60%" colsep="0" rowsep="0" align="left"/> <colspec colname="col2" colnum="2" colwidth="40%" colsep="0" rowsep="0" align="left"/> <tbody> <tr> <td><p><B>Verb</B></p></td> <td><p><B>English</B></p></td> </tr> <tr> <td><p><emphasis>s'en aller</emphasis></p></td> <td><p>to go away</p></td> </tr> <tr> <td><p><emphasis>s'amuser</emphasis></p></td> <td><p>to have a good time</p></td> </tr> <tr> <td><p><emphasis>se débrouiller</emphasis></p></td> <td><p>to get by, to manage</p></td> </tr> <tr> <td><p><emphasis>se demander</emphasis></p></td> <td><p>to wonder</p></td> </tr> <tr> <td><p><emphasis>se dépêcher</emphasis></p></td> <td><p>to hurry</p></td> </tr> <tr> <td><p><emphasis>s'ennuyer</emphasis></p></td> <td><p>to get bored</p></td> </tr> <tr> <td><p><emphasis>s'entendre</emphasis></p></td> <td><p>to get along</p></td> </tr> <tr> <td><p><emphasis>s'habituer à</emphasis></p></td> <td><p>to get used to</p></td> </tr> <tr> <td><p><emphasis>se rendre compte de</emphasis></p></td> <td><p>to realize</p></td> </tr> <tr> <td><p><emphasis>se tromper</emphasis></p></td> <td><p>to be wrong, to make a mistake</p></td> </tr> </tbody> </tgroup> </table>  <div id="pagination"><ul><li class="prev"><a href="http://www.netplaces.com/french/using-reflexive-verbs/" title="Using Reflexive Verbs">Using Reflexive Verbs</a></li><li class="next"><a href="http://www.netplaces.com/french/using-reflexive-verbs/forming-negatives-with-reflexive-verbs.htm" title="Forming Negatives with Reflexive Verbs">Forming Negatives with Reflexive Verbs</a> </li></ul></div></div> <div id="coda"> <div id="rel"><div class="n5">Related Articles</div><ul> <li><a href="http://www.netplaces.com/french/using-reflexive-verbs/understanding-reflexive-verbs.htm" zT="18/1YL/Zn"> Understanding Reflexive Verbs - French </a></li> <li><a href="http://esl.about.com/od/grammarstructures/a/g_rpronoun.htm" zT="18/1YL/Zn"> Reflexive Pronouns in English - Rules and Usage for Reflexive Pronouns </a></li> <li><a href="http://german.about.com/library/weekly/aa022601a.htm" zT="18/1YL/Zn"> German Reflexive Verbs </a></li> <li><a href="http://www.netplaces.com/brazilian-portuguese/more-verbs/reflexive-and-reciprocal-verbs.htm" zT="18/1YL/Zn"> Reflexive and Reciprocal Verbs - Brazilian Portuguese </a></li> <li><a href="http://www.netplaces.com/intermediate-spanish/reflexive-and-transitive-verbs/reflexive-verbs.htm" zT="18/1YL/Zn"> Reflexive Verbs - Intermediate Spanish </a></li> </ul></div> <div id="sec"><div class="n5">Read More Using Reflexive Verbs</div><ul><ul class="col1"><li class="btO">Understanding Reflexive Verbs</li> <li ><a href="http://www.netplaces.com/french/using-reflexive-verbs/forming-negatives-with-reflexive-verbs.htm">Forming Negatives with Reflexive Verbs</a></li> <li ><a href="http://www.netplaces.com/french/using-reflexive-verbs/asking-questions-with-reflexive-verbs.htm">Asking Questions with Reflexive Verbs</a></li> <li ><a href="http://www.netplaces.com/french/using-reflexive-verbs/reflexive-verbs-in-the-past.htm">Reflexive Verbs in the Past</a></li> </ul><ul class="col2"><li ><a href="http://www.netplaces.com/french/using-reflexive-verbs/reciprocal-verbs.htm">Reciprocal Verbs</a></li> <li ><a href="http://www.netplaces.com/french/using-reflexive-verbs/verbs-that-are-always-pronominal.htm">Verbs That Are Always Pronominal</a></li> <li ><a href="http://www.netplaces.com/french/using-reflexive-verbs/activit-13.htm">Activité 13</a></li> </ul></ul></div> </div> <script>if(zSbL<1)zSbL=3;zSB(2);zSbL=0</script> </div> <div id="widgets"><script type="text/javascript">if(z336>0){w('<div id="adB">'+ap[0]+at[4]+as[0]);adunit('','','about.com',ch,gs,336,280,'1','bb',3);w('</div>')}if(z155>0){w('<div id="adP">'+ap[0]+at[4]+as[0]);adunit('','','about.com',ch,gs,336,155,'1','ps',4);w('</div>')}</script> <div id="pg" class="pane"><div class="n3">Shopping</div><div class="cntnr"><a href="http://shop.everything.com/product/the-everything-learning-french-book-with-cd-2nd-edition/"><img src="http://0.tqn.com/d/np/french/Cover.jpg"></a><h4><a href="http://shop.everything.com/product/the-everything-learning-french-book-with-cd-2nd-edition/">THE EVERYTHING LEARNING FRENCH BOOK</a></h4><p><a href="http://shop.everything.com/product/the-everything-learning-french-book-with-cd-2nd-edition/">By Bruce Sallee and David Hebert</a></p><div id="fp"><a href="http://shop.everything.com/product/the-everything-learning-french-book-with-cd-2nd-edition/">Buy This Book</a></div></div></div> <div id="toc" class="pane"><div class="n3">French Sections</div><ul><li><a href="http://www.netplaces.com/french/pronouncing-and-writing-french/">Pronouncing and Writing French</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.netplaces.com/french/using-everyday-expressions/">Using Everyday Expressions</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.netplaces.com/french/developing-a-basic-vocabulary/">Developing a Basic Vocabulary</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.netplaces.com/french/understanding-articles/">Understanding Articles</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.netplaces.com/french/using-nouns/">Using Nouns</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.netplaces.com/french/subject-pronouns-and-forming-present-tense-verbs/">Subject Pronouns and Forming Present Tense Verbs</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.netplaces.com/french/asking-questions-and-giving-orders/">Asking Questions and Giving Orders</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.netplaces.com/french/negating-words-and-phrases/">Negating Words and Phrases</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.netplaces.com/french/objects-prepositions-and-pronouns/">Objects, Prepositions, and Pronouns</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.netplaces.com/french/using-adjectives/">Using Adjectives</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.netplaces.com/french/understanding-adverbs/">Understanding Adverbs</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.netplaces.com/french/forming-past-tense-verbs/">Forming Past-Tense Verbs</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.netplaces.com/french/using-reflexive-verbs/">Using Reflexive Verbs</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.netplaces.com/french/forming-the-future-tense/">Forming the Future Tense</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.netplaces.com/french/forming-the-conditional-tense/">Forming the Conditional Tense</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.netplaces.com/french/understanding-the-subjunctive-mood/">Understanding the Subjunctive Mood</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.netplaces.com/french/traveling-in-french-speaking-countries/">Traveling in French-Speaking Countries</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.netplaces.com/french/studying-and-working-in-french-speaking-countries/">Studying and Working in French-Speaking Countries</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.netplaces.com/french/family-friends-and-you/">Family, Friends, and You</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.netplaces.com/french/your-house-or-apartment/">Your House or Apartment</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.netplaces.com/french/appendix-a-answer-key/">Answer Key</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.netplaces.com/french/appendix-french-to-english-glossary/">French-to-English Glossary</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.netplaces.com/french/appendix-c-english-to-french-glossary/">English-to-French Glossary</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.netplaces.com/french/appendix-d-verb-conjugation-tables/">Verb Conjugation Tables</a></li> </ul></div></div> <script type="text/javascript">zCi();validateForms();</script> <div id="abf" style="padding-right:0"><ol class="crumbtrail"><li class="home"><a href="http://www.netplaces.com/">Home</a></li><li><a href="http://www.netplaces.com/french/">French</a></li><li><a href="http://www.netplaces.com/french/using-reflexive-verbs/">Using Reflexive Verbs</a></li><li>Understanding Reflexive Verbs</li></ol></div> <div id="aboutinfo" class="hlist"><div id="morefrom"><h6>Visit other About.com sites:</h6><ul><li><a href="http://caloriecount.about.com/" rel="nofollow">Calorie Count</a></li><li class="last"><a href="http://www.allexperts.com/" rel="nofollow">Allexperts.com</a></li></ul></div> <ul id="siteinfo"><li><a href="http://spiderbites.about.com/sitemap.htm">SiteMap</a></li><li><a href="http://www.about.com/gi/pages/hc.htm" rel="nofollow">Help</a></li><li><a href="http://www.about.com/gi/pages/mprivacy.htm" rel="nofollow">Privacy Policy</a></li><li><a href="http://www.about.com/gi/pages/mprivacy.htm#adchoices" rel="nofollow">Your Ad Choices</a></li><li class="last"><a href="http://www.netplaces.com/pform.htm" rel="nofollow">Contact Us</a></li></ul> <ul id="companyinfo"><li class="last"><a href="http://shop.everything.com/ " rel="nofollow">Buy Books</a></li></ul><div id="disclaimer"> </div></div></div> <script type="text/javascript"> </script> <script type="text/javascript">(function(){var po=document.createElement('script');po.type='text/javascript';po.async=true;po.src='https://apis.google.com/js/plusone.js';var s=document.getElementsByTagName('script')[0];s.parentNode.insertBefore(po,s)})();</script> </body></html>