Douter vs. se douter: 7 verbs that change meaning when they’re reflexive

You think you’ve got reflexive verbs down pat until you see a verb like “se douter.” You’ve seen reflexive verbs before like se laver and s’habiller, so you assume se douter must mean “to doubt oneself.” 

I know because I’ve been there! This verb appears in French novels all the time. It’s so embarrassing to admit that I didn’t look it up for the first 2 years of reading in French until finally I realized that it had to mean something different than “to doubt oneself.” 

In this week’s lesson, let’s tackle French verbs that change meaning when they are reflexive!

1. S'en aller vs. Aller

Aller (to go): This one's straightforward! Use "aller" for any kind of movement to a place.

S'en aller (to leave): This adds a nuance of departure, often with a sense of finality or goodbyes.

• Je vais au marché. (I'm going to the market.) 

• Il s'en est allé sans rien dire. (He left without saying anything.)

2. S'attendre à vs. Attendre

Attendre (to wait): This simply means to wait for something or someone.

S'attendre à (to expect): This implies an anticipation of something, often based on a belief or assumption.

• J'attends le bus. (I'm waiting for the bus.)

• Pourquoi est-ce que tu t’attends au pire? (Why do you expect the worst?) 

3. Se demander vs. Demander

Demander (to ask): This is for directly asking someone a question.

Se demander (to wonder): This is an internal question you ask yourself, essentially wondering about something.

• Tu lui as demandé, mais il ne savait pas. (You asked him, but he didn’t know)

• Je me demande s'il viendra. (I wonder if he will come.)

4. Se douter vs. Douter

Douter (to doubt): This is a general statement of uncertainty about something.

Se douter de (to suspect): This implies a specific suspicion about something or someone.

• Je doute qu'il réussisse. (I doubt he will succeed.)  Note we use our friend, le subjonctif, after “Je doute que”

• Je me doutais qu'il mentait. (I suspected he was lying.) Note that we do not use the subjunctive here.

5. S'ennuyer vs. Ennuyer

Ennuyer (to bore): This means to make someone feel bored.

S'ennuyer (to be bored): This means you yourself are experiencing boredom.

• Ce film m'ennuie. (This movie bores me.) Notice the m' here is not reflexive. This movie bores me, which is a direct object here.

• Je m'ennuie à la maison. (I'm bored at home.) The me here is reflexive. 

6. S'installer vs. Installer

Installer (to install): This verb is used when you put something in place to be used, often referring to setting up something mechanical or technical.

S'installer (to settle in): This reflexive verb focuses on the act of making yourself comfortable in a new location.

• J'installe une nouvelle étagère dans ma cuisine. (I'm installing a new shelf in my kitchen.)

• Nous nous sommes installés dans notre nouvelle maison la semaine dernière. (We settled into our new house last week.)

7. Se rendre vs. Rendre

Rendre (to give back): This verb is used when you return something to someone or a place.

Se rendre (to go to a place; to get to a place): This reflexive verb emphasizes the act of traveling to a specific location, often with a purpose. 

• Veuillez rendre les livres à la bibliothèque. (Please return the books to the library.) 

• Elle doit se rendre à l'hôpital pour son rendez-vous. (She needs to go to the hospital for her appointment.)

So there you have it, 7 French verbs that change meaning when they’re reflexive!
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