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A2 Lesson 2 of 3 · Passé composé vs Imparfait

The passé composé with être

The verbs of movement and reflexive verbs use être, and their participle agrees with the subject.

15 min · 9 activities

In this lesson you will

  • Know the verbs that take être
  • Make the participle agree
  • Use reflexive verbs in the past
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Lesson summary

The key points to remember, for revision.

  • 1Être verbs: aller, venir, arriver, partir, entrer, sortir, monter, descendre, naître, mourir, rester, tomber, retourner, devenir, revenir.
  • 2With être, the participle agrees with the subject: elle est partie, ils sont partis.
  • 3Reflexive verbs use être: je me suis levé(e).

Key vocabulary

partirto leave
arriverto arrive
resterto stay
tomberto fall
naîtreto be born