So far, we ve learned how to conjugate regular and irregular verbs in the present tense. However, we didn t cover a specific and important type of verb: pronominal verbs. WHAT IS A PRONOMINAL VERB un verbe pronominal A pronominal verb is a verb that need an extra pronoun, called reflexive pronoun (un pronom réfléchi in French). Ex: Je me douche. I take a shower. This pronoun is used in addition to the subject pronoun because the subject(s) making the action are the same as the object(s) being acted upon. Pronominal verbs fall in three categories: Reflexive verbs: the action is done by the subject to himself (rather than to someone or something else), as the verb se reposer (to rest, to rest oneself) Reciprocal verbs: subjects are doing something to one another: for example se regarder (to look at each other) There are also other idiomatic pronominal verbs. They usually have another meaning than when they are not used with reflexive pronoun. It often emphasizes the meaning of to oneself or to one another : for example s appeler (to be called) In the infinitive form, pronominal verbs are always preceded by the impersonal reflexive pronoun se ( s before a vowel): Se doucher Se reposer Se réveiller Se marier S intéresser à To take a shower To rest To wake up To get married To be interested in If the pronoun se is missing, the verb is not pronominal anymore: Laver To wash (something or someone else) Se laver To wash (yourself)
Regarder la télé To watch TV Se regarder To look at yourself CONJUGATION OF PRONOMINAL VERBS (present tense) When conjugating a pronominal verb, the pronoun se changes in order to agree with the subject of the verb. The verb itself is conjugated as usual. Check out the present tense conjugation of these two pronominal verbs: Pronoun (subject) Reflexive pronoun Se doucher (to take a shower) Se souvenir (to remember) Je Tu Il / Elle / On Nous Vous Ils / Elles me te se nous vous se Je me douche Tu te douches Il se douche Nous nous douchons Vous vous douchez Ils se douchent Je me souviens Tu te souviens Elle se souvient Nous nous souvenons Vous vous souvenez Elles se souviennent This lesson only covers the present tense of pronominal verbs. Other tenses will be introduced later. Note: be careful at the changes of the pronouns before a vowel or a mute h me m : Je m appelle Jérémie te t : Tu t appelles John se s : Elle s appelle Sarah EXAMPLES AND SAMPLE SENTENCES: Reflexive verbs: the action is done by the subject on him/her/itself. Usually, these verbs have to do with one s body, clothing, relationship, personal circumstances or location) Se lever / se réveiller To wake up D habitude, je me réveille à 7h le matin. I usually wake up at 7 in the morning.
Se coucher En général, je me couche à minuit. To go to bed Usually, I go to bed at midnight. S endormir Le bébé ne s endort pas. To fall asleep The baby doesn t fall asleep. Se laver Je me lave les mains avant de manger. To wash oneself I wash my hand before eating. Se reposer Mon père se repose après le travail. To rest My father has some rest after work. Se marier (avec ) Mon meilleur ami se marie demain. To get married My best friend is getting married tomorrow. Se souvenir (de...) Est-ce que tu te souviens de Sarah? To remember Do you remember Sarah? Se promener Beaucoup de gens se promènent dans le parc. To go for a walk Many people take a walk in the park. S intéresser à Je m intéresse à la langue et la culture française. To be interested in I m interested in the French language and culture. Other reflexive verbs: Se lever = to stand up S asseoir = to sit down S habiller = to dress up Se regarder = to look at oneself Se dépêcher = to hurry S inquiéter pour quelqu un = to worry for someone S habituer à quelque chose = to get used to something Pronoun (subject) Je / J Tu Il / Elle / On Nous Vous Ils / Elles S asseoir (to sit down) m assieds / assois t assieds / assois s assied / assoit nous asseyons / assoyons vous asseyez / assoyez s asseyent / assoient Above is included the present tense conjugation of the irregular verb s asseoir (to sit down): two present tense conjugations are possible but I would say that the first one is better (especially for writing).
Reciprocal verbs: subjects are acting on one another Se regarder To look at each other S aimer To love one another Ils se regardent. They are looking at each other. Ils sont vieux et ils s aiment toujours autant. They are old and they still love one another as much as before. Se connaître Vous vous connaissez? To know one another Do you know each other? S entendre To get along On s entend très bien. We get along very well. Other reciprocal verbs: S appeler = to call one another Se telephoner = to call one another (phone call) Se disputer = to argue (with one another) S embrasser = to kiss each other Se séparer = to leave one another, to break up Se réunir = to gather, to get together Idiomatic pronominal verbs: they usually take a different meaning when used with a reflexive pronoun. It often emphasizes the meaning of to oneself or to one another. Here are few common idiomatic pronominal verbs Idiomatic pronominal verb S appeler To be called Sample sentence Je m appelle Jérémie. I m Jérémie / My name is Jérémie. Comment tu t appelles? / Comment vous appelez-vous? What is your name? Il s appelle Timothée. His name is Timothée. Nonpronominal meaning Appeler To call
Se situer To be located S ennuyer To be bored Le musée du Louvre se situe à Paris. The Louvre museum is located in Paris. Je m ennuie parfois pendant le cours d anglais. I sometimes get bored during the English classes. Situer To locate Ennuyer To bother Other idiomatic pronominal verbs: Se trouver= to be located Se rendre à = to go to Se demander = to wonder S attendre à = to expect (trouver = to find) (rendre = to return) (demander = to ask) (attendre = to wait)