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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
āReflexiveā is an adjective, it means āreflectingā.
It shows that the action is carried out on the person who is doing the action.
French Pronominal Verb Meaning
āPronominalā is an adjective, it means āhaving a pronounā.
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 vĆŖtements = 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
Ć Moi Paris Method - Intermediate
US$119.99US$95.99āReflexive verbā is an alternative name for “pronominal verbs” like āse laverā.
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 rĆ©flĆ©chi”.
The pronouns are called “des pronoms rĆ©flĆ©chis”.
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
- sāabonner aĢ = to subscribe to
- sāadapter aĢ = to adapt to
- sāadresser aĢ = to talk to someone
- sāagenouiller = to get on oneās knees
- sāallonger = to lie down
- sāappeler = to be named
- s’approcher de qqāun = to get closer to someone
- sāappuyer sur/contre/aĢ = to lean against
- s’asseoir = to sit down
- sāattendre aĢ = to expect something
- sāavancer = 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 bruĢler = to burn oneself
- se cacher = to hide
- se calmer = to calm down
- se changer = to change outfit
- se cogner (la teĢte) = to bang oneās 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 dĆ©cider aĢ = to make the decision to
- se deĢfendre contre = to defend (against an attack)
- se deĢguiser = to put on a costume
- se deĢshabiller = 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
- sāeĢnerver = to get angry
- sāennuyer = to be bored
- sāentraiĢner = to train
- sāenrhumer = to be getting a cold
- sāessuyer = to dry oneself
- s’Ć©tendre = to lie down / to last a period of time
- sāeĢvader = to escape
- sāeĢvanouir = to faint
- sāexcuser = to apologize
- sāexercer = to train
- sāexpliquer = to explain oneself
- se faĢcher = to get angry
- se fatiguer = to get tired
- se fiancer = to get engaged
- se fouler (la cheville) = to twist (oneās ankle)
- se fracturer (le bras) = to break (oneās 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
- sāhabituer aĢ = to get accustomed to
- sāimpatienter = to get impatient
- sāinfecter = to get infected
- sāinteĢresser aĢ = 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 aĢ = to limit oneself to
- se marier (avec) = to get married with someone
- se maquiller = to put on make-up
- se mettre (Ć ) = 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 neĢgliger = to neglect oneself
- se nourrir = to feed oneself
- se noyer = to drown
- sāopposer aĢ = to oppose
- sāorganiser = 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 preĢcipiter = to hurry towards
- se preĢparer = to get ready
- Ā se promener = to take a stroll
- se proteĢger de = to protect oneself against
- se qualifier = to get qualified
- se raser (la barbe) = to shave
- se rasseoir = to go back to oneās seat
- se reĢchauffer = to get warmer
- se reĢfugier = 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 reĢveiller = to wake up
- se ronger (les ongles) = to bite oneās nails
- se salir = to get dirty
- se sauver = to escape
- se seĢparer = to separate from
- se servir de = to use
- se suicider = to commit suicide
- se taire = to be silent
- se teindre (les cheveux) = to color (oneās 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 oneās feeling hurt
French Reflexive Verbs Exercises
Now weāre going to train on these French reflexive verbs.
1. (se coucher) Marie _____________ aĢ dix heures et demie.
Marie se couche aĢ dix heures et demi.
Marie goes to bed at ten-thirty.
2. (s’endormir) Nous _____________ vite apreĢs une soireĢe.
Nous nous endormons vite apreĢs une soireĢe.
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 deĢpeĢcher) Marc _____________ pour prendre le train.
Marc se deĢpeĢche 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 _____________ aĢ la piscine ?
Ils se baignent aĢ la piscine ?
They are swimming at the pool?
7. (s’habiller) Les jeunesĀ _____________ d’une manieĢre deĢcontracteĢe.
Les jeunes s’habillent d’une manieĢre deĢcontracteĢe.
Young people dress in a relaxed manner.
8. (se faĢcher) Est-ce que tu _____________ souvent avec Paul?
Est-ce que tu te faĢches souvent avec Paul?
Do you get mad at Paul often?
10. (se disputer) Les freĢres, ils ne ____________ pas.
Les freĢres, ils ne se disputent pas.
The brothers don’t quarrel.
11. (se retrouver) Mes amis et moi, on _____________ souvent au cineĢma.
Mes amies et moi, on se retrouve souvent au cineĢma.
My friends and I often meet at the cinema.
12. (s’asseoir) Avant le diĢner, tout le monde _____________ aĢ table.
Avant le diner, tout le monde s’assied aĢ table.
Before dinner everyone sits (down) at the table.
13. (s’amuser) Je _____________ beaucoup aĢ des soireĢes.
Je m’amuse beaucoup aĢ des soireĢes.
I really enjoy parties.
14. (se seĢcher) Vous _____________ les cheveux.
Vous vous seĢchez les cheveux.
You dry your hair.
15. (s’ĆŖtre fracturĆ©) Je _____________ le poignet gauche.
Je me suis fracturƩ 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 deĢcider aĢ) Nous ____________ aller aĢ la plage?
Nous nous deĢcidons aĢ aller aĢ 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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