Reflexive verbs: se lever
Actions on yourself
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Actions on yourself
Pronominal verbs use me/te/se/nous/vous/se: je me lève. Their compound tenses use être. Agreement depends on the pronoun's function and object position: elle s'est lavée, but elle s'est lavé les mains.
Examples in context
Read the examples and compare their English meanings.
Daily routine
The pronoun 'me' means you lift yourself.
Je me lève à sept heures.
I get up at seven o'clock.
Past actions
Passé composé with reflexive verbs uses être.
Je me suis levé tôt.
I got up early.
Common mix-ups
English speakers often forget the reflexive pronoun and use avoir, but you must use être and 'me'.
I got up early.
Try a reply
Say or write your answer in French before opening the example.
She washed her hands. Use the passé composé.
Show one possible answer
Elle s'est lavé les mains.
Other wording can work too. Compare the verb form, agreement, and word order with the lesson. Then try a sentence about your own day.
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Related grammar
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