Les verbes pronominaux – How to Conjugate and Use French Pronominal Verbs Correctly

Key takeaways

• Pronominal verbs are verbs used with a reflexive pronoun (me, te, se, nous, vous, se).
• They express actions done to oneself (se lever), to each other (se parler), or form idiomatic phrases (s’en aller).
• Conjugation follows regular verb rules but always includes the pronoun.
• They appear in many daily routines: se réveiller, s’habiller, se souvenir.
• Correct usage in different tenses and moods is essential for fluency.

What Are Pronominal Verbs?

A pronominal verb (verbe pronominal) is a verb that includes a reflexive pronoun referring back to the subject. In English, these often translate with “myself, yourself, themselves.”

Examples:

• Je me lève à 7h. → I get up at 7.
• Ils se parlent souvent. → They talk to each other often.
• Elle s’en va. → She is leaving.

Types of Pronominal Verbs

1. Reflexive – the subject performs the action on itself. 
   
   • Je me lave. → I wash myself.
2. Reciprocal – the action is done to each other. 
   
   • Nous nous aidons. → We help each other.
3. Idiomatic – fixed expressions with unique meanings. 
   
   • S’en aller → to leave.
   • Se souvenir de → to remember.

Conjugation of Pronominal Verbs

To conjugate, use the reflexive pronoun + verb in its regular form.

Present tense example: se lever (to get up)

• je me lève
• tu te lèves
• il/elle se lève
• nous nous levons
• vous vous levez
• ils/elles se lèvent

Passé composé example: se réveiller (to wake up)

Pronominal verbs use être as the auxiliary.

• je me suis réveillé(e)
• tu t’es réveillé(e)
• il s’est réveillé
• elle s’est réveillée
• nous nous sommes réveillé(e)s
• vous vous êtes réveillé(e)(s)
• ils/elles se sont réveillé(e)s 
  Agreement rule: the past participle agrees with the subject unless there’s a direct object after the verb.

Negation with Pronominal Verbs

Negatives wrap around the pronoun and verb.

• Je ne me lève pas tôt. → I don’t get up early.
• Elles ne se sont pas souvenues. → They didn’t remember.

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Imperative with Pronominal Verbs

In the affirmative imperative, pronouns are attached with a hyphen.

• Lève-toi! → Get up!
• Habillez-vous! → Get dressed!

In the negative, pronouns stay before the verb.

• Ne te lève pas! → Don’t get up!

French Pronominal Verbs List – Common Examples

• se coucher → to go to bed
• s’amuser → to have fun
• se dépêcher → to hurry
• s’habiller → to get dressed
• se marier → to get married
• se souvenir → to remember
• se tromper → to make a mistake

How Pronominal Verbs Differ from English

• French often uses pronominal verbs where English doesn’t. 
  
  • se souvenir → to remember (not “to remember oneself”).
• Some English reflexives translate into pronominal verbs. 
  
  • I wash myself → Je me lave.
• Reciprocal forms (nous nous aidons) don’t always exist in English — context provides meaning.

Exercises: Practice with Pronominal Verbs

1. Conjugate in the present tense

• se réveiller → je ________, tu ________, il ________
• s’amuser → nous ________, vous ________, ils ________

2. Translate into French

• We wake up at 8 a.m.
• She remembers her childhood.
• They get married in June.

3. Change to the negative

• Je me couche tôt. → ________
• Ils se trompent souvent. → ________

Answers

1. me réveille, te réveilles, se réveille | nous amusons, vous amusez, s’amusent
2. Nous nous réveillons à 8h | Elle se souvient de son enfance | Ils se marient en juin
3. Je ne me couche pas tôt | Ils ne se trompent pas souvent

Tips for Mastering Pronominal Verbs

• Memorize the pronouns (me, te, se, nous, vous, se) alongside the verb.
• Practice with daily routine verbs like se lever, s’habiller, se coucher.
• Remember passé composé uses être with pronominal verbs.
• Pay attention to idiomatic meanings (not always literal).

For broader context, check our French verb tenses overview. For practical learning strategies, see learning French effectively. And if you’re curious about fluency goals, explore how long it takes to learn French fluently.

Summary

Les verbes pronominaux are essential for everyday French. They use reflexive pronouns and can be reflexive, reciprocal, or idiomatic. Conjugated with être in compound tenses and requiring careful placement of pronouns, they are key to mastering natural French.

By practicing common verbs like se lever, s’habiller, se souvenir, you’ll quickly get comfortable. For more depth, check explanations of pronominal verbs in French and special cases in L’Impératif. Over time, building sentences like je me lève, elle se souvient, nous nous parlons will feel automatic as you learn French with Promova.