So you've gotten so far as to understand and be able to use reflexive verbs correctly and now you're looking for a French reflexive verbs list? When you memorize reflexive verbs, remember to include the reflexive pronoun in the conjugation. Many of the words can be used without the reflexive pronoun but would have a different meaning or implication.
Common French Reflexive Verbs
Remember, reflexive verbs have mostly to do with emotion, one's body, or location. The following is not a comprehensive French reflexive verbs list but gives examples of the most frequently used reflexive verbs:
To Approach
Verb: s'approcher de
Conjugation: regular -er veb
Used in a sentence: Je m'approche de la maison. I approach the house.
To Sit Down
Verb: s'asseoir
Conjugation: irregular veb
Used in a sentence: Tous les étudiants, s'il vous plait, asseyez-vous! Students, please, sit down!
To Bathe or Swim
Verb: se baigner
Conjugation: regular -er verb
Used in a sentence: Nous baignons dans la mer! Let's go swimming. Also, Je me baigne après avoir fait du jogging. I shower after I go jogging.
To Brush
Verb: se brosser
Conjugation: regular -er verb
Used in a sentence: Je me brosse les cheveux après avoir me brossé les dents. I brush my hair after I brush my teeth.
To Break
Verb:se casser
Conjugation: regular -er verb
Used in a sentence: Je me casse le bras. (or la jambe, etc.) I break my arm, my leg, etc.
To Go to Bed
Verb: se coucher
Conjugation: regular -er verb
Used in a sentence: Je me couche à 9. heures. I go to bed at 9 o'clock.
To Cut Oneself
Verb: se couper
Conjugation: regular -er verb
Used in a setence: Je me coupe les doigts. I cut my fingers.
To Get Undressed
Verb: se déshabiller
Conjugation: regular -er verb
Used in a sentence: Nous nous déshabillons avant de nous coucher. We get undressed before we go to bed.
To Take a Shower
Verb: se doucher
Conjugation: regular -er verb
Used in a sentence: Vous vouz douchez avant de nager dans la piscine. Take a shower before swimming in the pool.
To Get Angry
Verb: se fâcher
Conjugation: regular -er verb
Used in a sentence: Je me fâche contre toi! I am mad at you.
To Get Dressed
Verb: s'habiller
Conjugation: regular -er verb
Used in a sentence: Je m'habille le matin. I get dressed in the morning.
To Wash
Verb: se laver
Conjugation: regular -er verb Used in a sentence: Tu te laves la figure après avoir mangé de la glace au chocolat. You wash your face after you eat chocolate ice cream.
To Get Up
Verb: se lever
Conjugation: regular -er verb
Used in a sentence: À quelle heure est-ce que vous vous levez? What time do you get up?
To Get Married
Verb: se marier
Conjugation: regular -er verb
Used in a sentence: Je me marie dimanche. I am getting married on Sunday.
To Comb Your Hair
Verb: se peigner
Conjugation: regular -er verb Used in a sentence: Il se peigne les cheveux. He combs his hair.
To Take a Walk
Verb: se promener
Conjugation: stem changing verb
Used in a sentence: Je me promène tous les jours. I walk every day.
To Shave
Verb: se raser
Conjugation: regular -er verb Used in a sentence: Je me rase avant d'aller au travail. I shave before I go to work.
To Look at Oneself
Verb: se regarder
Conjugation: regular -er verb Used in a sentence: Elle se regarde toujours dans le miroir !
To Rest
Verb: se reposer
Conjugation: regular -er verb Used in a sentence: Tu te reposes aujourd'hui parce que demain tu dois courir dans une course. You're resting today because tomorrow you are running in a race.
To Wake Up
Verb: se réveiller
Conjugation: regular -er verb
Used in a sentence: Je me réveille le matin. I wake up in the morning.
To Remember
Verb: se souvenir de
Conjugation: irregular verb
Used in a sentence: Je me souviens de nos vacances au Québec.
Idiomatic Reflexive Verbs
Idiomatic reflexive verbs are verbs that take on a different meaning with the addition of a reflexive pronoun.
| Idiomatic Verb | Meaning | Meaning Without Reflexive Pronoun |
| s'en aller | to go away | to go |
| s'amuser | to have a good time | to amuse |
| s'appeler | to be named | to call |
| s'arrêter | to stop (oneself) | to stop someone or something else) |
| s'attendre (à) | to expect | to wait for |
| se demander | to wonder | to ask |
| se dépêcher | to hurry | to send quickly |
| s'endormir | to fall asleep | to put to sleep |
| s'ennuyer | to be bored | to bother |
| s'entendre | to get along | to hear |
| s'habituer à | to get used to | to get in the habit of |
| s'inquiéter | to worry | to alarm |
| se mettre à | to begin to | to place, put |
| se perdre | to get lost | to lose |
| se rendre compte de | to realize | to account for |
| se réunir | to meet, get together | to gather, collect |
| se tromper | to be mistaken | to deceive |
| se trouver | to be located | to find |
Mastering Reflexive Verbs
Once you are familiar with many of the most commonly used reflexive verbs in the French language, you'll be able to master the art of using them in everyday conversation.
