Paul et Marie se promènent au bord de la mer.

Paul

Breakdown of Paul et Marie se promènent au bord de la mer.

• Marie: Marie
• et: and
• se promener: to take a walk

Questions & Answers about Paul et Marie se promènent au bord de la mer.

Why is it se promènent and not just promènent?

Because se promener is a pronominal (reflexive-style) verb in French. It is normally used with a reflexive pronoun:

• je me promène
• tu te promènes
• il/elle se promène
• nous nous promenons
• vous vous promenez
• ils/elles se promènent

In this sentence, the subject is Paul et Marie, which is they, so French uses se promènent.

Even though English often just says Paul and Marie are walking or are taking a walk, French usually keeps the pronoun with this verb.

What does se promener mean exactly?

Se promener usually means to take a walk, to go for a walk, or to stroll.

So Paul et Marie se promènent suggests that Paul and Marie are:

• walking around
• strolling
• taking a walk

It often has a relaxed feeling, not just walking to get somewhere quickly.

Why is the verb promènent plural?