Common French Reflexive Verbs – Everyday Vocabulary List
French reflexive verbs are very common in everyday conversation. You’ll encounter them when talking about your daily routine, personal care, feelings, relationships, and many other activities.
A reflexive verb is a verb that is used with a reflexive pronoun. In some cases, the subject performs an action on itself. In other cases, the reflexive construction has a meaning that is different from the non-reflexive verb.
The infinitive form of a reflexive verb begins with se or s’ before a vowel or silent h.
For example:
- se laver – to wash oneself
- se réveiller – to wake up
- s’habiller – to get dressed
Here is a list of common French reflexive verbs with their English translations.
You can download a PDF of the following list in my private French Grammar Library.
Common French Reflexive Verbs Video Lesson
1. French Reflexive Verbs for Daily Routines
These verbs are especially useful when describing what you do in the morning, throughout the day, and before going to bed.
| French Infinitive | English Translation |
|---|---|
| se réveiller | to wake up |
| se lever | to get up |
| se laver | to wash oneself |
| se doucher | to take a shower |
| se brosser les dents | to brush one’s teeth |
| se brosser les cheveux | to brush one’s hair |
| se peigner | to comb one’s hair |
| se raser | to shave |
| se maquiller | to put on makeup |
| s’habiller | to get dressed |
| se déshabiller | to get undressed |
| se coucher | to go to bed |
| s’endormir | to fall asleep |
| se reposer | to rest |
| se dépêcher | to hurry |
2. Other Common French Reflexive Verbs
You’ll also encounter these verbs in everyday conversations.
| French Infinitive | English Translation |
|---|---|
| s’amuser | to have fun |
| se promener | to go for a walk |
| se sentir | to feel |
| se souvenir de | to remember |
| se tromper | to make a mistake |
| s’intéresser à | to be interested in |
| s’occuper de | to take care of |
| se rendre compte de | to realize |
| s’appeler | to be called |
| se marier | to get married |
3. Examples of French Reflexive Verbs in Sentences
Notice how the reflexive pronoun changes depending on the subject.
Je me réveille à sept heures.
I wake up at seven o’clock.
Tu te dépêches parce que tu es en retard.
You hurry because you are late.
Elle se brosse les dents après le petit-déjeuner.
She brushes her teeth after breakfast.
Nous nous promenons dans le parc.
We go for a walk in the park.
Vous vous reposez après le déjeuner.
You rest after lunch.
Ils se couchent assez tard.
They go to bed rather late.
4. Remember the Reflexive Pronouns
A reflexive verb uses a pronoun that corresponds to its subject.
| Subject | Reflexive Pronoun |
|---|---|
| je | me (m’) |
| tu | te (t’) |
| il / elle / on | se (s’) |
| nous | nous |
| vous | vous |
| ils / elles | se (s’) |
For example, here is how to conjugate se laver in the present tense:
- Je me lave.
- Tu te laves.
- Il / Elle / On se lave.
- Nous nous lavons.
- Vous vous lavez.
- Ils / Elles se lavent.
The reflexive pronoun comes directly before the conjugated verb.
5. A Note About Reflexive Verbs and Body Parts
When talking about washing or taking care of a body part, French generally uses a definite article (le, la, les) rather than a possessive adjective (mon, ma, mes).
For example:
Je me brosse les dents.
I brush my teeth.
Elle se lave les mains.
She washes her hands.
Nous nous brossons les cheveux.
We brush our hair.
The reflexive pronoun already indicates whose body parts are involved, so French does not normally need a possessive adjective in these expressions.
Keep Learning About French Reflexive Verbs
This vocabulary list is a good starting point, but there is more to learn about using reflexive verbs correctly.
For a complete explanation of reflexive pronouns, present-tense conjugation, and the passé composé, read my lesson on French Reflexive Verbs.
You can also practice with my lesson on the passé composé with reflexive and reciprocal verbs.
For even more vocabulary related to everyday activities, see my French Daily Routine Vocabulary List.
