Conjugate reflexive verbs

Jaap, 

it is worth heading back to the lesson and reading through the QandA below it, as there are previous explanations of this.

 ‘ Nous nous sommes brossé les cheveux ‘ is correct.

The direct object of se brosser in the sentence is ‘ les cheveux ‘ which follows the verb and therefore there is no agreement of the past participle. Agreement occurs when the direct object precedes the verb, which is most often the case with reflexive verbs, but not always - se brosser being one of the exceptions.

This question has come up often and it has been acknowledged the lesson needs a review to address this confusion. Until that is done, try the link below to Laura Lawless site for further explanation.

 https://www.lawlessfrench.com/grammar/agreement-with-pronominal-verbs/

Bonjour Jaap,

It is confusing no doubt about that  --  French grammar tends to be quite pedantic.

If you write "nous sommes brossés" this is meaningless because it leaves unanswered the question about what or who is being brushed? It simply translates as "We are brushed"

To make it clear about what is being brushed then the grammar requires some sort of reflexive or reciprocal construction. Nous nous sommes brossés --> we brushed ourselves.

I suggest that you revisit the lesson and pay particular attention to all of the links from that lesson to help enhance your understanding.

Bonne continuation

Jim

Les cheveux is one unit. 

Zenia, 

not sure exactly what you mean by ‘ les cheveux ‘ is ‘ one unit ‘ ? The definite article/noun combination is necessary here in French, if that is what you mean by ‘ one unit ‘.

‘Les cheveux’ is a plural noun, not singular.

If you have a question, please expand a bit further.