Back to School Sale Save 25% on Premium annual »

Position of Double Pronouns in French - Reflexive Pronoun + Direct Object Pronoun

Written by Qualified French Expert Aurélie Drouard , HKH, Licence d'anglais LLCE
Last updated: 2022-05-25
Add to Notebook48 questions

Look at these cases combining direct object and reflexive pronouns:

Je me les lave tous les jours.I wash them every day.
 
Tu te les brosses toutes les nuits.You brush them every night.
 
Elle se l'est blessée pendant les vacances. (la jambe)She hurt it during the holidays. (her leg)
 
Nous nous l'imaginons blonde aux yeux bleus.We picture her blond with blue eyes.
 
Elles se les sont coiffés. (les cheveux)They combed it (their hair).

There are two important patterns to notice in these sentences that are different to English. 

1) the two pronouns both go before the verb:
 
Je me brosse les dents -> Je me les brosse.
I'm brushing my teeth -> I'm brushing them
 
2) The order is ALWAYS:
 
    me/te/se/nous/vous/se  (before)  le/la/l'/les
 

Want to make sure your French sounds confident? We’ll map your knowledge and give you free lessons to focus on your gaps and mistakes. Start your Braimap today »

Learn more about these related French grammar topics

Examples and resources

Je me les lave tous les jours.I wash them every day.
Elles se les sont coiffés. (les cheveux)They combed it (their hair).
Tu te les brosses toutes les nuits.You brush them every night.
Elle se l'est blessée pendant les vacances. (la jambe)She hurt it during the holidays. (her leg)
Nous nous l'imaginons blonde aux yeux bleus.We picture her blond with blue eyes.
Let me take a look at that...