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Understanding Reflexive Pronouns in French
Reflexive pronouns in French are special words that we use when the person doing the action is also the person receiving the action. Think of them as little helpers that tell us someone is doing something to themselves.
Important Points
Reflexive pronouns are used with reflexive verbs.
They often describe actions we do to ourselves, like washing or dressing.
In French, reflexive pronouns always match the subject of the sentence.
Common Reflexive Pronouns
Important Points
me (myself)
te (yourself)
se (himself, herself, itself)
nous (ourselves)
vous (yourself, yourselves)
se (themselves)
These pronouns change depending on who is doing the action. For example, if I wash myself, I use 'me'. If you wash yourself, you use 'te'.
Examples
Je me lave. (I wash myself.)
Tu te brosses les dents. (You brush your teeth.)
Ils se réveillent tôt. (They wake up themselves early.)
Using Reflexive Pronouns with Different Tenses
Just like other verbs in French, reflexive verbs can be used in different tenses like present, past, and future. The reflexive pronoun stays with the verb no matter the tense.
Examples
Nous nous sommes amusés. (We enjoyed ourselves.)
Elle se lavera. (She will wash herself.)
Vous vous couchez tard. (You go to bed yourselves late.)
Practice and Remember
Practice using reflexive pronouns by making sentences about things you do for yourself every day. This will help you remember how they work.
Examples
Je me brosse les cheveux. (I brush my hair.)
Ils se regardent dans le miroir. (They look at themselves in the mirror.)
Nous nous préparons pour l'école. (We prepare ourselves for school.)
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