What are Reflexive Verbs in Present Tense?
Reflexive verbs in German describe actions that the subject performs on itself — the action 'reflects' back to the subject. These verbs always use reflexive pronouns (mich, dich, sich, uns, euch, sich) in the accusative or dative case. Common examples include sich waschen (to wash oneself), sich anziehen (to get dressed), and sich setzen (to sit down).
A reflexive verb uses a reflexive pronoun (mich, dich, sich, uns, euch) that refers back to the subject. The reflexive pronoun can be in the accusative or dative case. Example: 'Ich wasche mich' (I wash myself).
- •ich → mich (me)
- •du → dich (you)
- •er/sie/es → sich (himself/herself)
- •wir → uns (us)
- •ihr → euch (you pl.)
- •sie/Sie → sich (themselves/yourself)
- •ich → mir (to myself)
- •du → dir (to yourself)
- •er/sie/es → sich (to himself/herself)
- •wir → uns (to ourselves)
- •ihr → euch (to yourselves)
- •sie/Sie → sich (to themselves)
Step-by-step worked examples
Conjugate 'sich waschen' (to wash oneself) in present for 'ich', 'du', 'er'.
ich wasche mich du wäschst dich er wäscht sich
Form a sentence: 'We get dressed' using 'sich anziehen' in present tense.
wir + sich anziehen → conjugate anziehen + reflexive pronoun Wir ziehen uns an (We get dressed)
Conjugate 'sich setzen' (to sit down) for 'they' (sie) in present tense.
sie + setzen + sich Sie setzen sich (They sit down)
Flashcards
Quick quiz
Q1.Reflexive pronoun for 'du' in accusative?
Q2.Complete: 'Wir __ uns an.' (We get dressed)
Q3.Which sentence uses a reflexive verb correctly?
Q4.What does 'Sie setzen sich hin' mean?
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Common mistakes
Ich wasche mir (using dative instead of accusative) — Correct: Ich wasche mich (accusative with waschen)
Mich ich wasche (reflexive pronoun before the verb) — Correct: Ich wasche mich (reflexive pronoun after verb)
Sie anziehen sich (reflexive pronoun at the end) — Correct: Sie ziehen sich an (reflexive pronoun after conjugated verb, before prefix)
Du setzest dich (wrong verb form) — Correct: Du setzt dich (correct present tense conjugation)
FAQ
What is a reflexive verb in German?
A verb where the action reflects back to the subject, using reflexive pronouns (mich, dich, sich, etc.).
What are the reflexive pronouns in German?
Accusative: mich, dich, sich, uns, euch, sich. Dative: mir, dir, sich, uns, euch, sich.
Is the reflexive pronoun always accusative?
No — it can be dative with certain verbs like 'sich vorstellen' (to imagine) or 'sich waschen' (to wash). Most common reflexive verbs use accusative.
How do I know if a verb is reflexive?
Reflexive verbs in German dictionary are listed with 'sich' attached: sich waschen, sich anziehen, sich setzen.