Reflexive verbs: me, te, se… + the conjugated verb
Pronominal Verbs — Introduction
French has a special category of verbs called pronominal verbs.
They are called “pronominal” because they always appear with a reflexive pronoun:
se + verb
What They Mean
The basic idea:
-
A pronominal verb indicates that the action is done on or to oneself.
-
Example:
Je me lave → I wash myself
Compare:
- Non-pronominal: Je lève la main → I raise my hand (something else)
- Pronominal: Je me lève → I get up (action on myself)
👉 Even though they use a pronoun, the verb itself follows the normal conjugation models you have already learned.
The Reflexive Pronouns
Pronominal verbs always include a reflexive pronoun.
| Subject | Reflexive Pronoun |
|---|---|
| je | me |
| tu | te |
| il / elle / on | se |
| nous | nous |
| vous | vous |
| ils / elles | se |
These pronouns are different from subject pronouns, but they always appear before the verb in the present tense:
- Je me lave
- Tu te réveilles
- Il se douche
Key Points to Remember
-
A pronominal verb = reflexive pronoun + verb
-
The verb still follows its usual conjugation pattern
-
Reflexive pronouns indicate the action is directed back at the subject
-
Always pay attention to the difference between normal and pronominal usage:
- Je lave la voiture → I wash the car
- Je me lave → I wash myself
Key Takeaways
- Pronominal verbs are formed with se + verb.
- They indicate the action is performed on oneself.
- The reflexive pronouns are: me, te, se, nous, vous, se.
- The verb itself follows normal conjugation rules.
- Understanding this distinction is the first step before learning the types of pronominal verbs.
In the app, you will find interactive exercises and quizzes tailored for this intermediate level.
Practice French conjugation for free in the Croissant Verbs app
Quizzes and spaced repetition for every tense, for free on your phone—plus short grammar guides on our Learn hub.
