| Les pronoms réfléchis | Reflexive |
When something does something to itself, a reflexive pronoun is used. The reflexive pronouns are exactly like the direct object pronouns except for the third person singular and plural forms.
| Je me lave les mains. | I wash my hands | |
| Je lave le bébé. | I wash the baby. | |
| Elle se peigne les cheveux. | She combs her hair. | |
| Elle peigne les cheveux de sa fille. | She combs the hair of her daughter. | |
| Il se lève. | He gets up. | |
| Il lève les poids | He lifts the weights. |
Reflexive pronouns are also used when a reflexive relationship doesn't truly exist. In these situations the pronouns serve to distinguish the verbs from the transitive forms.
| David se marie avec Jeanne. | David is marrying Jeanne. | |
| Le curé marie David et Jeanne. | The priest is marrying David and Jeanne. | |
| Elle s'appelle Anne. | She is called Anne. | |
| Il appelle son père. | He calls his father. |
Reflexive pronouns are also used when two entities do things to each others.
| Alain et Isabelle s'aiment. | Alain and Isabelle love each other. | |
| Nathalie et Geneviève s'embrassent. | Nathalie and Genevieve kiss each other. (normal form of greeting between friends) |