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French Verb Conjugation
100 French Reflexive Verbs List + Exercises
By Camille Chevalier-Karfis on October 12, 2017
List of common French reflexive verbs – “se” verbs. We use the reflexive form in French when one does something to oneself.
The reflexive form is very common in French, and I can’t possibly list all the French reflexive verbs here.
However, if you feel I missed a very common one (or a few!) please add them to the comment with the English translation and I’ll add it to the list.
French Reflexive Verbs Meaning
“Reflexive” is an adjective, it means “reflecting”.
It shows that the action is carried out on the person who is doing the action.
French Pronominal Verb Meaning
“Pronominal” is an adjective, it means “having a pronoun”.
Pronominal verbs have a special pronoun before the verb: “me, te, se, nous, vous, se” (in addition to the subject pronoun “je, te, il, elle, on, nous, vous, ils, elles”).
Some verbs can only be conjugated in a pronominal form (eg “s’enfuir” to flee) but most French pronominal verbs are based on a verb which can be used in a non-pronominal way.
For example the verb “laver” (to wash) can be used in
- a regular way “laver” + something
Je lave mes vêtements = regular use - or in a pronominal way “se laver” = to wash oneself.
Je me lave = pronominal use
When do you call a Verb a Reflexive Verb or a Pronominal Verb?
L3 + L4
À Moi Paris Method - Intermediate
US$119.99“Reflexive verb” is an alternative name for “pronominal verbs” like “se laver”.
How do you Call Reflexive Verbs and Pronominal Verbs in French
In French, we call them
- “un verbe pronominal / des verbes pronominaux”
- ou “un verbe réfléchi”.
The pronouns are called “des pronoms réfléchis”.
Please Click this link to understand the French pronominal verbs better: I’ve already written a whole article about French pronominal verbs, featuring a video I made with The Sims, which explains everything.
French Reflexive Verbs List
- s’abonner à = to subscribe to
- s’adapter à = to adapt to
- s’adresser à = to talk to someone
- s’agenouiller = to get on one’s knees
- s’allonger = to lie down
- s’appeler = to be named
- s’approcher de qq’un = to get closer to someone
- s’appuyer sur/contre/à = to lean against
- s’asseoir = to sit down
- s’attendre à = to expect something
- s’avancer = to get closer
- se baigner = to bathe, swim
- se baisser = to lower oneself
- se balader = to take a stroll
- se brosser (les cheveux, les dents…) = to brush (one’s hair, teeth…)
- se brûler = to burn oneself
- se cacher = to hide
- se calmer = to calm down
- se changer = to change outfit
- se cogner (la tête) = to bang one’s head
- se coincer = to get stuck
- se casser (la jambe) = to break (one’s leg)
- se coiffer (les cheveux) = to fix one’s hair
- se coucher = to go to bed
- se couper (le doigt) = to cut oneself on the finger
- se décider à = to make the decision to
- se défendre contre = to defend (against an attack)
- se déguiser = to put on a costume
- se déshabiller = to get undressed
- se distraire = to amuse oneself
- se divertir = to amuse oneself
- se documenter = to get documentation
- se doucher = to take a shower
- s’effondrer = to collapse
- s’énerver = to get angry
- s’ennuyer = to be bored
- s’entraîner = to train
- s’enrhumer = to be getting a cold
- s’essuyer = to dry oneself
- s’étendre = to lie down / to last a period of time
- s’évader = to escape
- s’évanouir = to faint
- s’excuser = to apologize
- s’exercer = to train
- s’expliquer = to explain oneself
- se fâcher = to get angry
- se fatiguer = to get tired
- se fiancer = to get engaged
- se fouler (la cheville) = to twist (one’s ankle)
- se fracturer (le bras) = to break (one’s arm)
- se frotter = to brush against
- se garer = to park
- se gratter = to scratch an itch
- se goinfrer = to eat like a pig
- s’habiller = to get dressed
- s’habituer à = to get accustomed to
- s’impatienter = to get impatient
- s’infecter = to get infected
- s’intéresser à = to be interested in
- se lamenter = to lament
- se laver (les mains, la figure…) = to wash (one’s hands, face…)
- se lever = to get up
- se limiter à = to limit oneself to
- se marier (avec) = to get married with someone
- se maquiller = to put on make-up
- se mettre (à) = to start doing something
- se moquer (de) = to make fun of
- se moucher = to blow one’s nose
- se mouiller = to get wet
- se multiplier = to multiply
- se mutiner = to declare mutiny
- se négliger = to neglect oneself
- se nourrir = to feed oneself
- se noyer = to drown
- s’opposer à = to oppose
- s’organiser = to get organized
- se passionner pour = to get passionate about
- se pencher = to lean down
- se peigner (les cheveux) = to comb one’s hair
- se pendre = to hang oneself
- se plaindre = to complain
- se pousser = to get out of the way
- se précipiter = to hurry towards
- se préparer = to get ready
- se promener = to take a stroll
- se protéger de = to protect oneself against
- se qualifier = to get qualified
- se raser (la barbe) = to shave
- se rasseoir = to go back to one’s seat
- se réchauffer = to get warmer
- se réfugier = to find asylum or protection somewhere
- se regarder = to look at oneself
- se renseigner = to get info
- se reposer = to rest
- se retourner = to turn around/back
- se réveiller = to wake up
- se ronger (les ongles) = to bite one’s nails
- se salir = to get dirty
- se sauver = to escape
- se séparer = to separate from
- se servir de = to use
- se suicider = to commit suicide
- se taire = to be silent
- se teindre (les cheveux) = to color (one’s hair)
- se tourner vers = to turn towards
- se transformer = to transform
- se tromper = to make a mistake
- se tuer = to kill oneself, to die (by accident)
- se vanter = to brag
- se venger de = to get revenge against
- se vexer = to get one’s feeling hurt
French Reflexive Verbs Exercises
Now we’re going to train on these French reflexive verbs.
1. (se coucher) Marie _____________ à dix heures et demie.
Marie se couche à dix heures et demi.
Marie goes to bed at ten-thirty.
2. (s’endormir) Nous _____________ vite après une soirée.
Nous nous endormons vite après une soirée.
We go to sleep fast after a party.
3. (s’habiller) Comment vous _____________ pour aller au restaurant?
Comment vous habillez-vous pour aller au restaurant?
How do you dress to go out to a restaurant?
4. (se dépêcher) Marc _____________ pour prendre le train.
Marc se dépêche pour prendre le train.
Marc hurries to catch (take) the train.
5. (s’ennuyer) Les enfants ne _____________ jamais.
Les enfants ne s’ennuient jamais.
The children never get bored.
6. (se baigner) Ils _____________ à la piscine ?
Ils se baignent à la piscine ?
They are swimming at the pool?
7. (s’habiller) Les jeunes _____________ d’une manière décontractée.
Les jeunes s’habillent d’une manière décontractée.
Young people dress in a relaxed manner.
8. (se fâcher) Est-ce que tu _____________ souvent avec Paul?
Est-ce que tu te fâches souvent avec Paul?
Do you get mad at Paul often?
10. (se disputer) Les frères, ils ne ____________ pas.
Les frères, ils ne se disputent pas.
The brothers don’t quarrel.
11. (se retrouver) Mes amis et moi, on _____________ souvent au cinéma.
Mes amies et moi, on se retrouve souvent au cinéma.
My friends and I often meet at the cinema.
12. (s’asseoir) Avant le dîner, tout le monde _____________ à table.
Avant le diner, tout le monde s’assied à table.
Before dinner everyone sits (down) at the table.
13. (s’amuser) Je _____________ beaucoup à des soirées.
Je m’amuse beaucoup à des soirées.
I really enjoy parties.
14. (se sécher) Vous _____________ les cheveux.
Vous vous séchez les cheveux.
You dry your hair.
15. (s’être fracturé) Je _____________ le poignet gauche.
Je me suis fracturé le poignet gauche.
I fractured my left wrist.
16. (s’approcher) L’autobus _____________ de l’immeuble.
L’autobus s’approche de l’immeuble.
The bus approaches the building.
17. (se salir) La nappe _____________ vite.
La nappe se salit vite.
The table-cloth gets dirty quickly.
18. (se décider à) Nous ____________ aller à la plage?
Nous nous décidons à aller à la plage.
We decide (have decided) to go to the beach.
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Camille Chevalier-Karfis
Born and raised in Paris, I have been teaching today's French to adults for 23+ years in the US and France. Based on my students' goals and needs, I've created unique downloadable French audiobooks focussing on French like it's spoken today, for all levels. Most of my audiobooks are recorded at several speeds to help you conquer the modern French language. Good luck with your studies and remember, repetition is the key!
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