French reflexive verbs

A reflexive construction uses a pronoun that changes with the subject: me, te, se, nous, vous, se. Before a vowel or silent h, me, te and se become m’, t’ and s’.

Je me lève. Nous nous levons.

I get up. We get up.

A verb can change meaning when used reflexively: compare appeler quelqu’un (call someone) and s’appeler (be called).

In the passé composé

Elle s’est lavée.

She washed herself.

Elle s’est lavé les mains.

She washed her hands. The direct object follows the verb, so the participle does not agree here. Do not add agreement mechanically to every reflexive construction.

Try se souvenir and s’enfuir, whose tables include the reflexive pronouns.