For those who have mastered the basic French grammar rules, one of the next logical grammatical structures to learn is pronoms réfléchis (reflexive pronouns). Using reflexive pronouns in French can be tricky because they don’t always translate directly from English.
But once you have them down, it can take your French to the next level, as they are used frequently. Rosetta Stone’s Dynamic Immersion method can help you naturally incorporate French reflexive pronouns into your daily conversations.
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What are pronoms réfléchis (reflexive pronouns) in French?
There are many types of French pronouns. Reflexive pronouns are used when the subject and object are the same. In English, we use the words “myself,” “yourself,” etc. to indicate that the action is being done to the subject of the sentence. This is similar in French, although there are additional uses.
List of reflexive pronouns in French
Just as in English, each subject pronoun in French has its own reflexive pronoun. The word order in French is different, however, with the reflexive pronoun coming before the verb.
| Subject Pronoun | Reflexive Pronoun | English |
| je (first person singular) |
me/m’ | myself |
| tu (second person singular informal) |
te/t’ | yourself |
| il/elle/iel (third person singular) |
se/s’ | himself/herself/themself |
| nous (first person plural) |
nous | ourselves |
| vous (second person plural and/or formal) |
vous | yourself/yourselves |
| ils/elles/iels (third person plural) |
se/s’ | themselves |
Using the verb se réveiller (to wake oneself up), look at the reflexive pronouns with their corresponding subject pronouns:
- Je me réveille. = I wake (myself) up.
- Tu te réveilles. = You wake (yourself) up.
- Il se réveille. = He wakes (himself) up.
- Elle se réveille. = She wakes (herself) up.
- Iel se réveille. = They wake (themselves) up.
- Nous nous réveillons. = We wake (ourselves) up.
- Vous vous réveillez. = You wake (yourself/yourselves) up.
- Ils/Elles/Iels se réveillent. = They wake (themselves) up.
Note that the reflexive pronoun se is used in the third person singular and plural, making no distinction between “himself,” “herself,” or “themselves.” So, the subject pronoun is how you determine the English translation.
As noted in the chart above, the reflexive pronouns me, te, and se contract to m’, t’, and s’ when followed by a vowel: Nous and vous do not. Here are some examples using the verb s’appeler (to call oneself/to be named):
- Je m’appelle. = I call myself (My name is).
- Tu t’appelles. = You call yourself (Your name is).
- Il s’appelle. = He calls himself (His name is).
- Elle s’appelle. = She calls herself (Her name is).
- Iel s’appelle. = They call themselves (Their name is).
- Nous nous appelons. = We call ourselves (Our names are).
- Vous vous appelez. = You call yourself/yourselves (Your name is/your names are).
- Ils/Elles/Iels s’appellent. = They call themselves (Their names are).
Even some of the most basic French words and phrases use reflexive pronouns, like introducing yourself.
Stressed reflexive pronouns list
There is also a type of reflexive French pronoun called a stressed reflexive pronoun. Stressed reflexive pronouns serve one of two purposes: to add stress to who is doing the action or to give a command in the imperative form of the verb.
| Subject Pronoun | Stressed Reflexive Pronoun | English |
| je (first person singular) |
moi | me |
| tu (second person singular informal) |
toi | you |
| il/elle/iel (third person singular) |
lui/elle/iel* | him/her/them |
| nous (first person plural) |
nous | us |
| vous (second person plural and/or formal) |
vous | you |
| ils/elles/iels (third person plural) |
eux/elles/iels | them |
*There is also soi (oneself) that is used to speak generally.
See how to use these in sentences:
- Moi, je me réveille à 8h. = Me, I get up at 8:00.
- Eux, ils préfèrent ce restaurant. = Them, they prefer this restaurant.
- Donne-moi le livre ! = Give me the book!
- Réveille-toi ! = Get (yourself) up!
When to use reflexive French pronouns
French reflexive pronouns are used with three types of verbs: reflexive, idiomatic, and reciprocal. Each of these uses the same sentence structure, but the meaning can change depending on the type of verb.
Reflexive pronouns vs. reflexive verbs
Reflexive pronouns in French are a part of reflexive verbs. Verbs are an essential part of speech in French, and reflexive verbs are used widely. Reflexive verbs are actions done by the subject to themself.
For example:
- Je me couche à minuit. = I go to bed (put myself to bed) at midnight.
Because this person is putting themself to bed, unlike a child who might be put to bed by an adult, we use the reflexive verb to demonstrate this. The reflexive verb requires the use of the reflexive pronoun, which matches the subject pronoun.
Here’s another example:
- Nous nous promenons tous les jours. = We go for a walk every day.
Because these people are taking themselves for a walk, instead of a pet, it requires the use of the reflexive pronoun nous in French.
Many reflexive verbs like se laver (to wash), se brosser (to brush), and se raser (to shave) also require saying the body part after the reflexive verb. Note that while in English you would use the possessive pronouns “my,” “your,” etc., in French you use the definite article.
- Tu te laves les mains. = You wash your hands.
- Il se lave le visage. = He shaves his face.
- Elles se brossent les dents. = They brush their teeth.
Because of the presence of the reflexive pronoun in French, the possessive pronoun is not needed. It is implied that the body part is already a part of the person doing the action.
Idiomatic verbs that use reflexive pronouns
There are many French verbs that use reflexive pronouns and do not have a direct English translation. These don’t necessarily imply that the action is being done to the same person. Additionally, many of these verbs have different meanings if they are used without reflexive pronouns.
Here are some commonly used examples:
| Idiomatic Verb | English Translation | Meaning Without Reflexive Pronoun |
| s’amuser | to have fun | to amuse |
| se demander | to wonder | to ask |
| se dépêcher | to hurry | to send/dispatch |
| s’entendre | to get along | to listen |
| se fâcher | to get angry | to anger |
| se mettre à | to begin to | to put |
| se passer | to happen | to pass |
| se sentir | to feel | to smell |
| se trouver | to be located | to find |
Reciprocal verbs that use reflexive pronouns
The last type of verbs in French that use reflexive pronouns are called reciprocal verbs. The most direct translation of this usage in English is “each other.” Often, the subject pronoun on is used in French to mean “we,” or you can use nous. On is slightly less formal, and conjugates like il/elle/iel.
You use the reflexive pronouns se and nous to refer to both subjects involved in the action:
- On se parle. = We talk to each other.
- Nous nous détestons. = We hate each other.
- Elles se téléphonent. = They call each other.
- On s’aime. = We love each other.
- Ils se regardent. = They look at each other.
Sentence structure with reflexive pronouns
No matter what French verb tense you are using, the reflexive pronoun always goes directly before the verb:
- Vous vous dépêchez. = You all hurry up. (present tense)
- Vous vous dépêcherez. = You all will hurry up. (future tense)
- Vous vous dépêchiez. = You all did hurry up. (imperfect tense)
If you are conjugating a verb followed by the reflexive pronoun, it still goes right before the verb in its infinitive form:
- Vous allez vous dépêcher. = You all are going to hurry up.
- Vous pouvez vous dépêcher. = You all can hurry up.
Reflexive pronouns in passé composé
In the passé composé (past tense), you need the auxiliary verb être (to be) in between the reflexive pronoun and the action verb:
- Vous vous êtes dépêchés. = You all hurried up.
French negation and reflexive pronouns
For negative sentences, the ne/pas (not) goes around the reflexive pronoun and the verb:
- Vous ne vous dépêchez pas. = You all aren’t hurrying.
The only exception to the above rule for negative sentences is in the passé composé (past tense), where the ne/pas (not) goes around the reflexive pronoun and the auxiliary verb:
- Vous ne vous êtes pas dépêchés. = You all didn’t hurry up.
Key takeaways for mastering French reflexive pronouns
Reflexive pronouns in French can seem overwhelming at first. If you need some extra practice, consider a Rosetta Stone Live Lesson for more targeted learning on a specific topic. Remember these key takeaways when using reflexive pronouns in French:
- The subject pronoun and the reflexive pronoun need to agree.
- The reflexive pronoun always goes directly in front of the verb.
- The reflexive pronouns me, te, and se contract before a vowel.
- Reflexive pronouns are much more common in French than English, especially with idiomatic verbs.
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