Reflexive pronouns are used when the subject of the sentence is performing an action on itself. In German, these pronouns must agree with the subject in person (first, second, third) and number (singular, plural), and they appear in either the accusative or dative case depending on the verb.

Overview

Reflexive pronouns always refer back to the subject of the sentence. For example, in English: “I wash myself,” “myself” refers back to “I.” German expresses this using reflexive pronouns like mich (myself), dich (yourself), sich (himself/herself/itself), etc.

Subject: The person or thing performing the action.
Reflexive Pronoun: Refers back to the subject and is used as the object of the verb.
Reflexive pronouns match the subject’s person and number.
They appear in the accusative or dative case, depending on the verb and sentence meaning.

Reflexive Pronouns Table

The table below shows German reflexive pronouns for each person and number. The accusative form is used most commonly; the dative form is the same except for the first and second person singular (mich/mir, dich/dir).

Person	German (Accusative)	German (Dative)	English
ich (I)	mich	mir	myself
du (you singular)	dich	dir	yourself
er/sie/es (he/she/it)	sich	sich	himself/herself/itself
wir (we)	uns	uns	ourselves
ihr (you plural)	euch	euch	yourselves
sie/Sie (they/you formal)	sich	sich	themselves/yourself

Usage

Accusative Reflexive Pronouns

Most reflexive verbs take a reflexive pronoun in the accusative case.
Example: Ich wasche mich. (I wash myself.)

Dative Reflexive Pronouns

Some verbs require the reflexive pronoun to be in the dative case because there is another direct object in the sentence.
The reflexive pronoun answers the question “to/for whom?” while the other object is in the accusative.
Example: Ich kämme mir die Haare. (I comb my hair [for myself].)

German Pronouns

The reflexive pronoun must match the subject pronoun in person and number.
Example: Du siehst dich im Spiegel. (You see yourself in the mirror.)
Pronoun: You = du
Reflexive pronoun: dich

Placement in the Sentence

Reflexive pronouns follow the normal rules for object pronouns in German.
In simple sentences, the reflexive pronoun usually comes after the verb.
Example: Ich rasiere mich. (I shave myself.)
In sentences with multiple objects or adverbs, the reflexive pronoun’s position can vary but typically comes early in the clause.
Example: Ich habe mich gestern rasiert. (I shaved myself yesterday.)
In subordinate clauses, the reflexive pronoun comes at the end with the verb.
Example: ..., weil ich mich rasieren muss. (...because I have to shave myself.)

Formal “Sie” Form

The formal “you” form always uses sich regardless of singular or plural.
Example: Haben Sie sich schon angezogen? (Have you dressed yourself already?)
Verb endings are conjugated for “Sie” (third-person plural form).
Example: Sie erinnern sich gut. (You remember well.)

What reflexive pronoun do you use with the formal 'Sie' in German?

uns

sich

mich

dich

sich

The formal 'Sie' always uses 'sich' as the reflexive pronoun, regardless of whether it is singular or plural.

Non-Reflexive Verbs

Not all verbs that involve personal actions require reflexive pronouns.
Example: Ich wasche das Auto. (I wash the car.) – No reflexive pronoun because the object is “das Auto,” not “myself.”
Use reflexive pronouns only if the subject acts on itself.

When should you omit the reflexive pronoun in German?

When the action is not done to oneself

When there is a different direct object

When the subject is plural

When the verb is in the infinitive

When speaking formally

When the action is not done to oneself
When there is a different direct object

Reflexive pronouns are omitted if the subject acts on something other than itself.

Common Reflexive Verbs

Verb + Reflexive Pronoun	Meaning	Example Sentence
sich waschen	to wash oneself	Ich wasche mich.
sich anziehen	to dress oneself	Er zieht sich an.
sich erinnern	to remember (literally “remind oneself”)	Wir erinnern uns.
sich freuen	to be happy/excited (about something)	Ihr freut euch auf den Urlaub.
sich setzen	to sit down	Setz dich bitte!
sich kämmen	to comb one’s hair	Ich kämme mir die Haare.
sich entspannen	to relax	Sie entspannen sich.
sich verletzen	to injure oneself	Er hat sich am Bein verletzt.
sich beeilen	to hurry	Beeil dich!

Other Tips

If a verb is reflexive in German, you must use the reflexive pronoun even if English doesn’t (e.g., sich freuen = “to be happy”).
Reflexive pronouns are never omitted in German reflexive constructions.
Sometimes the context makes it clear that the reflexive pronoun is needed, even if the English sentence doesn’t show a reflexive form.

Flashcards (1 of 6)

Person: ich (I)

English: myself

Last updated: Wed Jun 18, 2025