Reflexive pronouns are used when the subject of a sentence performs an action on itself. In this case, the subject and the object are the same, and the pronoun reflects the action back to the subject.
- Subject does the action to itself.
- Pronoun reflects back to the subject.
- Used in both actions and states where the subject is both doer and receiver.
Reflexive pronouns
Reflexive Pronouns in German
German reflexive pronouns are used when the subject and object are the same. They vary by person and number:
| Person | Reflexive Pronoun | Usage |
|---|---|---|
| ich (I) | mich/mir | Accusative/Dative |
| du (you) | dich/dir | Accusative/Dative |
| er/sie/es (he/she/it) | sich | Both |
| wir (we) | uns | Both |
| ihr (you pl) | euch | Both |
| sie/Sie (they/You formal) | sich | Both |
- mich/mir, dich/dir: Accusative (direct reflex) / Dative (indirect reflex)
- sich: Used for 3rd person and formal both ways
mich, dich, sich, uns, euch
When to Use Reflexive Pronouns
Use reflexive pronouns in German when the subject does something to itself:
- For actions where the subject and object are the same:
Ich wasche mich. (I wash myself.)
Du erinnerst dich. (You remember yourself / You recall.)
- For certain verbs that are always reflexive (or commonly used as such):
sich interessieren (to be interested), sich freuen (to be glad)
- For both accusative and dative situations depending on the verb.
When the subject and object are the same
Examples
| Subject | Verb | German | English | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ich | waschen | Ich wasche mich. | I wash myself. | Reflexive action |
| du | erinnern | Du erinnerst dich. | You remember (yourself). | Reflexive verb |
| er | setzen | Er setzt sich hin. | He sits down (himself). | Reflexive usage |
| wir | treffen (uns) | Wir treffen uns. | We meet (each other). | Reflexive pronoun |
| ihr | fühlen | Ihr fühlt euch. | You (pl.) feel (yourselves). | Reflexive |
| sie/Sie | freuen | Sie freuen sich. | They/You (formal) are glad (themselves). | Reflexive |
Ich wasche mich.
Conclusion
Reflexive pronouns are essential in German for expressing actions where the subject both does and receives the action. They ensure clarity and are used with many common verbs, some of which are always reflexive.
- Use reflexive pronouns when the subject and object are the same.
- They change form based on person and number.
- Many everyday verbs in German are used reflexively.