Reflexive verbs with parts of the body

Level 2

In French, when you do something to your own body, you don't say 'my hands' or 'my teeth.' Instead, you use a reflexive pronoun and a definite article like 'le' or 'la'.

How It Works

To become proficient in this pattern, follow these rules:

  • Use Reflexive Pronouns: The verb must be used with reflexive pronouns (me, te, se, nous, vous, se).
  • Use Definite Articles: Use le, la, or les before the body part. Even if you add an adjective, the definite article is still preferred (e.g., Elle se lave la main droite).
  • The 'One Per Person' Rule: If a plural subject performs an action on a body part that individuals only have one of, use the singular noun. Example: Ils se sont lavé le visage (They washed their faces).
  • Logic: In the sentence Je me lave les mains, the me (to myself) already indicates that the hands being washed are mine.
  • Past Tense Nuance: In the passé composé, the past participle usually does not agree with the subject if the body part is the direct object following the verb (e.g., Elle s'est lavé les mains — no extra 'e').
  • When to use Possessives: Use possessive adjectives only for non-reflexive verbs (J'aime tes mains) or if the body part is the subject of the sentence (Mes mains sont froides).

Examples (4)

  1. Je me brosse les dents.

    I am brushing my teeth.

    Word by Word: I myself brush the teeth.

    Standard daily routine. 'Me' shows the action is for oneself, and 'les' is used instead of 'mes'.

  2. Il s'est cassé la jambe.

    He broke his leg.

    Word by Word: He to-himself is broken the leg.

    Used for injuries. Note that 'cassé' does not have an extra 'e' or 's' because 'la jambe' follows the verb.

  3. Vous vous lavez les mains ?

    Are you washing your hands?

    Word by Word: You yourself wash the hands?

    A question using the reflexive 'vous' and the definite article 'les'.

  4. Elle se lave les cheveux.

    She is washing her hair.

    Word by Word: She herself washes the hairs.

    In French, 'cheveux' is plural, and we use 'les' instead of 'ses'.

Common Mistakes

  • Using a possessive adjective with a reflexive verb.

    Je me lave mes mains.
    Je me lave les mains.

    Using both 'me' and 'mes' is redundant. The reflexive pronoun already establishes ownership.

  • Using a plural noun for a body part each person only has one of.

    Ils se lavent les visages.
    Ils se lavent le visage.

    In French, if a group of people each performs an action on a body part they only have one of (like a face or a head), the body part remains singular.

  • Incorrect agreement in the passé composé.

    Elle s'est lavée les mains.
    Elle s'est lavé les mains.

    When the body part (the direct object) follows the verb, the past participle does not agree with the subject.

How It Connects

Tap a pattern to see what it builds on and what it leads to.

Reflexive verbs with parts of the bodyLevel 2

Learn This First

To learn reflexive verbs with body parts, you first need to be comfortable with the basic conjugation and structure of reflexive verbs. You also need to understand how possessive adjectives work in French to see how this pattern differs from English, and be familiar with definite articles which are used in place of those possessives.