Reflexive verbs (Edexcel GCSE French): Revision Notes
Reflexive verbs
What are reflexive verbs?
Reflexive verbs are special French verbs that describe actions you do to yourself. They always include an extra small word (called a reflexive pronoun) that comes before the verb.
Reflexive verbs are essential in French because they describe many daily activities. Unlike in English, where we might say "I get up" or "I wash," French requires the reflexive pronoun to show that the action is performed on oneself.
For example, s'appeler means "to be called" or "to call yourself", and se lever means "to get up" (literally "to raise yourself").
Reflexive pronouns
When using reflexive verbs, you must include the correct reflexive pronoun between the subject and the verb. These pronouns change depending on who is doing the action:
Critical Rule: The reflexive pronoun must always match the subject and comes directly before the verb. This is non-negotiable in French grammar!
| Person | Reflexive pronoun | Example |
|---|---|---|
| je | me | je me lave |
| tu | te | tu te laves |
| il/elle/on | se | il/elle/on se lave |
| nous | nous | nous nous lavons |
| vous | vous | vous vous lavez |
| ils/elles | se | ils/elles se lavent |
Key examples
S'appeler (to be called)
Worked Example: Conjugating S'appeler
Here's how to conjugate this essential reflexive verb:
| French | English |
|---|---|
| je m'appelle | I am called |
| tu t'appelles | you are called |
| il/elle/on s'appelle | he/she/one is called |
| nous nous appelons | we are called |
| vous vous appelez | you are called |
| ils/elles s'appellent | they are called |
Example sentences:
- Je m'appelle Marie. (I am called Marie.)
- Comment tu t'appelles? (What are you called?)
Se lever (to get up)
Worked Example: Conjugating Se lever
Notice how the reflexive pronoun changes with each subject:
| French | English |
|---|---|
| je me lève | I get up |
| tu te lèves | you get up |
| il/elle/on se lève | he/she/one gets up |
| nous nous levons | we get up |
| vous vous levez | you get up |
| ils/elles se lèvent | they get up |
Example sentences:
- Je me lève à sept heures. (I get up at seven o'clock.)
- Ils se lèvent tôt. (They get up early.)
Common reflexive verbs
Here are essential reflexive verbs you need to know for your GCSE:
These verbs appear frequently in GCSE exams. Focus on memorising their meanings and practising their conjugations regularly.
| French verb | English meaning |
|---|---|
| se lever | to get up |
| s'amuser | to enjoy oneself |
| se marier | to get married |
| se demander | to wonder |
| se couper | to cut oneself |
| s'intéresser à | to be interested in |
| se changer | to get changed |
| se trouver | to be situated |
| se reposer | to rest |
| se rappeler de | to remember |
| French verb | English meaning |
|---|---|
| se passer | to happen |
| se taire | to be silent |
| se comporter | to behave |
| se brûler | to burn oneself |
| se plaindre | to complain |
| se concentrer | to concentrate |
| se cacher | to hide (oneself) |
| se blesser | to hurt oneself |
| se présenter | to introduce oneself |
| se séparer | to separate |
Example sentences:
- Tu t'intéresses au football? (Are you interested in football?)
- Nous nous amusons bien. (We're enjoying ourselves.)
- Elle se marie demain. (She's getting married tomorrow.)
Perfect tense with reflexive verbs
Exam Alert: This is crucial for your exam success! All reflexive verbs use être in the perfect tense. The past participle must agree with the subject.
Key rule: Add -e for feminine subjects and -s for plural subjects.
Worked Example: Perfect Tense Formation
| French | English |
|---|---|
| je me suis levé(e) | I got up |
| nous nous sommes amusé(e)s | we enjoyed ourselves |
| elle s'est mariée | she got married |
| ils se sont reposés | they rested |
Exam tip
Higher Tier Focus: At Higher tier, you only need to know the nous, vous, and ils/elles forms of reflexive verbs. Focus on memorising the most common ones and their perfect tense forms.
Practice exercise
Practice Exercise: Present Tense Conjugation
Complete these sentences with the correct reflexive verbs in the present tense:
- Elle (se lever). → Elle se lève.
- Ils (s'amuser). → Ils s'amusent.
- Nous (se demander). → Nous nous demandons.
- Elles (se reposer). → Elles se reposent.
- Je (s'appeler). → Je m'appelle.
Translation practice:
- French to English: Je me lève à six heures. → I get up at six o'clock.
- English to French: We are getting married. → Nous nous marions.
Remember!
Key Points to Remember:
- Reflexive verbs describe actions you do to yourself
- Always include the reflexive pronoun (me, te, se, nous, vous, se)
- All reflexive verbs use être in the perfect tense
- Past participles must agree with the subject in the perfect tense
- Focus on learning the most common reflexive verbs for your exam