Reflexive Pronoun 'se' — French Grammar

The pronoun is a reflexive pronoun used exclusively with third-person subjects (, , , , ). It indicates that the action of the verb reflects back onto the subject. Depending on the context, it can translate to English as himself, herself, itself, themselves, or each other.

Before a vowel or a silent 'h', contracts to .

Reflexive Actions

The most literal use of is to show that a subject is performing an action on their own body or mind. The subject and the object of the verb are the same person.

Il se regarde dans le miroir.
He looks at himself in the mirror.
Elle s'habille rapidement.
She dresses herself quickly.
L'homme se rase tous les matins.
The man shaves (himself) every morning.

Reciprocal Actions

When used with a plural subject (, , or plural nouns), often indicates that the subjects are doing the action to each other. This is called a reciprocal action.

Ils s'aiment beaucoup.
They love each other very much.
Elles se téléphonent souvent.
They phone each other often.
Les enfants se battent dans la cour.
The children are fighting each other in the courtyard.

Idiomatic Meanings

Many verbs change their meaning entirely when used with . In these cases, the translation is not a literal "himself" or "herself," but rather a specific definition unique to the reflexive form.

Il se demande pourquoi.
He wonders why. (literally: he asks himself)
Elle se met au travail.
She starts working. (literally: she puts herself to work)
Ils s'entendent bien.
They get along well. (literally: they hear each other well)

Passive Meaning

is frequently used to express a passive idea, describing how something is done generally or the state of an object. In this construction, the subject is usually an inanimate object, and the agent (the person doing the action) is not mentioned.

Ça ne se fait pas.
That isn't done. (meaning: One shouldn't do that)
Ce vin se boit frais.
This wine is drunk chilled.
Comment ça s'écrit ?
How is that written? (How do you spell that?)

Contrast with Direct Objects

It is important to distinguish from direct object pronouns like , , or .

Use when the subject acts on themselves.
Use , , or when the subject acts on someone else.

Il se lave.
He washes himself.
Il le lave.
He washes him (or it).
Elle se réveille.
She wakes up.
Elle la réveille.
She wakes her up.

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