Language/French/Grammar/Pronominal-verbs-used-reflexively
[CHANGED]
Describe something that the subject does to himself[edit | edit source]
When pronominal verbs are used to describe something which the subject does to himself, they must be used reflexively:
French | Translation |
---|---|
Je me vois dans la glace | I can see myself in the mirror |
Je me déteste | I hate myself |
Il s'est fait mal | He hurt himself |
Elle s'était cassé la jambe | She had broken her leg |
The reflexive pronoun is always required[edit | edit source]
Note that English translations of pronominal verbs used reflexively do not always require a form of -self. In French, however, the reflexive pronoun is always required:
French | Translation |
---|---|
le me lave | I am washing (myself) |
Il se rase | He is shaving (himself) |
Il s'est roulé par terre | He rolled (himself) on the ground |
Pronoun: Direct or Indirect object[edit | edit source]
The pronoun itself can be the indirect or the direct object:
The reflexive pronoun is the indirect object[edit | edit source]
If the verb in its nonpronominal form is indirectly transitive, the pronoun will be an indirect object. For example, "parler (parler à quelqu'un)" takes an indirect object, eg. "parler à un ami". So in "Je me parle" the pronoun is indirect.
French | Translation |
---|---|
Il se parle constamment (à lui-même) en allant travailler | He talks to himself constantly on his way to work |
Lorsqu'on répête un secret à quelqu'un on ne peut que se nuire | When you tell someone a secret you can only harm yourself |
Tu devras t'achèter un nouveau pull car celui-ci est fichu | You will have to buy yourself a new sweater because this one is ruined |
Je me reproche (à moi-même) ces sentiments | I blame myself for these feelings |
Je me jure de continuer à travailler même après la retraite | I swear to myself to continue working even after retirement |
Il faut bien s'admettre que la situation est grave mais pas désespérée | We have to admit that the situation is serious but not hopeless |
Jean se cache la vérité (à lui même) | John is hiding the truth to himself |
The reflexive pronoun is the direct object[edit | edit source]
If the verb in its nonpronominal form is directly transitive, the pronoun will be a direct object. For instance, "laver" takes a direct object: "laver la voiture". So in "Je me lave" the pronoun is direct.
French | Translation |
---|---|
Il se lave sans savon | It washes without soap |
Elle se coiffe pendant des heures | She spends hours doing his hair |
Il est maladroit et se blesse souvent | He is clumsy and often injures himself |
Tu vas te baigner souvent ? | Do you go swimming often? |
Jean s'habille comme un prince | Jean dresses like a prince |
Patrick s'alimente très sainement | Patrick eats very healthily |
John se cache derrière sa casquette | John is hiding behind his cap |
The difference between indirect object & direct object reflexives is obvious from the last example:
- Jean se cache la vérité
- John se cache derrière sa casquette
In the second example the se
is the person who is hidden: "John cache John derrière sa casquette". In the second example it is "la vérité" which is hidden and the se
is the indirect object: "Jean cache la vérité à Jean".
➡ These differences are important with regard to the tuning of the past participle agreement.
Used pronominally as reflexives[edit | edit source]
Many ordinarily directly transitive, indirectly transitive and ditransitive verbs can be used pronominally as reflexives, for example:
II critique son patron | II se critique |
---|---|
He criticizes his boss | He criticizes himself |
Je juge le prisonnier coupable | Je me juge coupable |
I consider the prisoner guilty | I consider myself guilty |
Elle regarde son amie | Elle se regarde |
She is looking at her girlfriend | She is looking at herself |
Tu offres un cadeau à Philippe | Tu t'offres un cadeau |
You are giving a present to Philip | You are giving a present to yourself |
II parle à sa mère | II se parle |
He's talking to his mother | He's talking to himself |
Elle cache la vérité à son mari | Elle se cache la vérité |
She is hiding the truth from her husband | She is hiding the truth from herself |
Videos[edit | edit source]
Video: Daily routine - FRENCH LESSON - Pronominal Reflexive verbs[edit | edit source]
Video: Learn French - Pronominal Verbs (Reflexive and Reciprocal)[edit | edit source]
Other Chapters[edit | edit source]