s’en aller, s’en faire, s’en vouloir

These three French expressions are frequently used. They combine a reflexive pronoun (“se”) with the adverbial pronoun “en,” which can mean a variety of things, including “of it,” “of them,” “some of them,” “any of them,” “any of it,” “some of it,” “from it,” “from them,” etc.

s’en aller

Meaning: to leave, to go away

  • “se” is the reflexive pronoun that changes to the appropriate person (me, te, se, nous, vous or se).
  • “en” means “from here.”
  • “aller” is “to go”

Examples:

  • je m’en vais – I’m leaving
  • tu t’en vas ? – you’re leaving?
  • va t’en ! – go away! (informal)
  • allez-vous en ! – go away! (formal or plural)

s’en faire

Meaning: to worry

  • “se” is the reflexive pronoun that changes to the appropriate person (me, te, se, nous, vous or se).
  • “en” means “of it.”
  • “faire” is “to make” or “to do”

Examples:

  • Ne t’en fais pas – Don’t worry
  • Ne t’en fais pas pour ton ami – Don’t worry about your friend
  • Ma mère s’en fait pour moi. My mother worries about me

s’en vouloir

Meaning: to be annoyed with, to be mad at, to be annoyed with yourself, to hold a grudge

  • “se” is the reflexive pronoun that changes to the appropriate person (me, te, se, nous, vous or se).
  • “en” means “of it.”
  • “vouloir” is “to want”
  • This expression is followed by the preposition “à” if you’re annoyed with a specific person.

Examples:

  • Alice s’en veut de son frère – Alice is annoyed with her brother
  • Tu m’en veux ? – You’re angry with me?
  • Julie s’en veut d’avoir oublié l’anniversaire de son père – Julie is annoyed with herself for having forgotten her father’s birthday

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