How do you conjugate French reflexive verbs?

Here's a breakdown of how to conjugate reflexive verbs in French:

1. Identify the Reflexive Pronoun

Reflexive verbs are always used with a reflexive pronoun. These pronouns indicate that the subject of the verb is also the object of the action. Here are the reflexive pronouns:

* me (me)

* te (you - informal singular)

* se (him/her/it/you - formal singular/plural)

* nous (we)

* vous (you - plural/formal singular)

* se (themselves)

2. Conjugate the Verb

After identifying the reflexive pronoun, you need to conjugate the verb itself, following the usual rules of French conjugation.

3. Place the Pronoun

* Before the conjugated verb in the present, future, and imperfect tenses:

* *Je me lève.* (I get up.)

* *Tu te laveras.* (You will wash yourself.)

* *Il se promenait.* (He was walking.)

* Before the auxiliary verb in the compound tenses (past participle):

* *Je me suis levé.* (I got up.)

* *Tu t'es lavé.* (You washed yourself.)

* *Il s'est promené.* (He walked.)

4. Agreement with the Past Participle

In compound tenses, the past participle of reflexive verbs must agree in gender and number with the direct object of the verb. If the reflexive pronoun is the direct object, the past participle will agree with it.

* Examples:

* *Je me suis lavée.* (I washed myself) - *lavée* agrees with *me*

* *Tu t'es lavés.* (You washed yourselves) - *lavés* agrees with *vous*

* *Ils se sont lavés.* (They washed themselves) - *lavés* agrees with *ils*

Important Notes:

* "Se" Pronoun: In the third person singular and plural ("il/elle/on/ils/elles"), the reflexive pronoun is always "se," regardless of the subject's gender.

* Direct Object vs. Indirect Object: In some cases, the reflexive pronoun may be the indirect object, and the past participle does not agree. For example: *Je me suis parlé.* (I spoke to myself) - *parlé* does not agree with *me*

Example:

Let's conjugate the verb "s'habiller" (to get dressed):

| Pronoun | Present Tense | Past Tense |

|---|---|---|

| Je | Je m'habille | Je me suis habillé |

| Tu | Tu t'habilles | Tu t'es habillé |

| Il/Elle/On | Il/Elle/On s'habille | Il/Elle/On s'est habillé |

| Nous | Nous nous habillons | Nous nous sommes habillés |

| Vous | Vous vous habillez | Vous vous êtes habillés |

| Ils/Elles | Ils/Elles s'habillent | Ils/Elles se sont habillés |

Let me know if you would like more examples or practice conjugating specific verbs!