A verb for oneself
Pronoun verbs indicate that the subject does the action for himself. They can be recognized by the pronouns reflexive "me, te, se, nous, vous" and again "se" in front of the verb. These reflexive pronouns are always from the same person as the subject.
Je me découvre un don
Tu te parles
Il se lave
Nous nous regardons
Vous vous regoignez
Ils se parlent
When a verb exists only in the pronominal form, we speak of a verb that is essentially pronominal. This is the case of a verb like "se méfier" (to be careful) which is always accompanied by its reflexive pronoun.
je me méfie
Beware that when the pronoun does not belong to the same person as the subject, it is not a pronominal form but simply a personal pronoun put as an object complement before the verb.
il nous demande ==> il demande à nous.
Categories of pronominal verbs
Verbs passive pronominal express a subject that undergoes the action without living it.
Les fruits se sont vendus chers cette année ==> les fruits sont vendus chers cette année.
Verbs reflexive pronominal express a subject that undergoes the action by living it.
Il se regarde dans le miroir ==> Il regarde lui-même dans le miroir.
Verbs reciprocal pronominal appear for plural verbs with two subjects to signify equality of action.
Les deux amis se disputent ==> Ils se disputent ensemble.
Verbs subjective pronominal express a subject that does not undergo the expressed action. Note that there is often a preposition afterwards.
Il se moque de lui ==> Il ne se moque pas de lui-même.
- A pronominal verb is introduced by the reflexive pronouns "me, te, se, nous" and "vous" to involve the subject in action..
- They should not be confused with an object complement put in a complement pronoun.