Reflexive Pronouns: Me, Te, Se, Nous, Vous
When the subject and object are the same person
Category: Pronouns
The Rule
Reflexive pronouns (me, te, se, nous, vous, se) indicate the action reflects back on the subject. They are required for pronominal verbs and go before the conjugated verb.
Why This Matters
English rarely uses reflexive pronouns ('I wash myself' sounds formal — we usually just say 'I wash'). French uses them constantly: se lever (to get up), se laver (to wash), s'habiller (to get dressed), se souvenir (to remember). Many common daily actions require reflexive pronouns in French. Forgetting them changes the meaning: 'je lave' (I wash something) vs. 'je me lave' (I wash myself).
Examples
• Je me lève à sept heures. — "I get up at seven." [se lever — me reflects back to je] • Elle s'habille vite. — "She gets dressed quickly." [s'habiller — se before vowel → s'] • Nous nous amusons bien. — "We're having a good time." [s'amuser — nous nous (subject + reflexive)] • Tu te souviens de moi ? — "Do you remember me?" [se souvenir — inherently reflexive verb]
Common Mistakes
❌ Je lève à sept heures. ✅ Je me lève à sept heures. → Without me, 'je lève' means 'I lift (something).' The reflexive pronoun makes it 'I get (myself) up.' ❌ Elle se habille. ✅ Elle s'habille. → Before a vowel or mute h, se becomes s'. ❌ Je me souviens. (placed after verb) ✅ Je me souviens. → The reflexive pronoun always goes before the conjugated verb, never after.
Quick Tip
Many French daily routine verbs are reflexive: se réveiller (wake up), se lever (get up), se doucher (shower), se brosser les dents (brush teeth), se coucher (go to bed). Learn them as a set.
Many French daily routine verbs are reflexive: se réveiller (wake up), se lever (get up), se doucher (shower), se brosser les dents (brush teeth), se coucher (go to bed). Learn them as a set.
Examples
Common Mistakes
Incorrect: Je lève à sept heures. → Correct: Je me lève à sept heures.. Without me, 'je lève' means 'I lift (something).' The reflexive pronoun makes it 'I get (myself) up.'
Incorrect: Elle se habille. → Correct: Elle s'habille.. Before a vowel or mute h, se becomes s'.
Incorrect: Je me souviens. (placed after verb) → Correct: Je me souviens.. The reflexive pronoun always goes before the conjugated verb, never after.
Quiz
How do you say 'They (m.) enjoy themselves'?