Thank you for using the Jiskha Homework Help Forum. Don't let the "terminology" frighten you! These are also known as "Reflexive Verbs."
In a reflexive (or pronominal) verb, the action is performed by the subject on itself. Thus, the subject and the pronoun object refer to the same person(s): he hurt himself; we will enjoy ourselves.
Example: s'amuser (to enjoy oneself)
je m'amuse
tu t'amuses
il/elle/on s'amuse
nous nous amusons
vous vous amusez
ils/elles s'amusent.
The reflexive pronouns "me, te, se, nous, vous" like other personal pronoun objects, normally precede the verb. In th affirmative imperative they follow the verb. (amuse-toi) After the verb, toi is used instead of te.
The reflexive pronoun is not always a direct object. It may be an indirect object, with or without a direct object expressed in the sentence.
Se parle-t-il souvent? = Does he talk to himself often? (indirct-object)
A verb that is reflexive in French need not be reflexive in English. (Vous vous trompez. = You are mistaken)
Reflexive verbs used in the plural may show "reciprocal" force, that is, action of one part of the subject on another part. (Nous nous aidons. - We help one another/each other.)
Any French verb that takes an object, direct or indirect, may be made reflexive by adding a personal pronoun object that refers back to the subject. Often times the meaning of the verb is changed: lever = to life, raise OR se lever = to get up, rise.
Please feel free to ask any other questiions you might have.
Mme
what are pronominal verbs? Are they used the same way besides that theres an object pronoun?
1 answer