Grammar: Reflexive Pronouns

Grammar: Reflexive Pronouns

Understanding Reflexive Pronouns

• Reflexive pronouns in German are used when the action of the verb reflects back on the subject.
• They help to construct sentences like “I wash myself”, where “myself” is the reflexive pronoun.
• They often come after certain reflexive verbs, which require the use of a reflexive pronoun.

Identifying Reflexive Pronouns

• In German, reflexive pronouns agree with the subject of the sentence.
• The reflexive pronouns in German are “mich” (myself), “dich” (yourself singular), “sich” (himself, herself, itself, themselves, yourself formal), “uns” (ourselves), and “euch” (yourself plural).

Using Reflexive Pronouns in Accusative Case

• The accusative reflexive pronouns are used with most reflexive verbs.
• For example, in the sentence “Ich putze mich” (I clean myself), “mich” is the reflexive pronoun in the accusative case.

Using Reflexive Pronouns in Dative Case

• Some reflexive verbs use dative reflexive pronouns.
• These are typically verbs that involve parts of the body or clothing, for instance, “Ich putze mir die Zähne” (I brush my teeth), where “mir” is the reflexive pronoun in the dative case.

Position of Reflexive Pronouns

• Reflexive pronouns generally come immediately after the verb and before the direct object.
• If there is no direct object, they come right after the verb.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Watch out for verbs that change their meaning when used reflexively. For example, “fühlen” (to feel) becomes “sich fühlen” (to feel oneself).
• Don’t assume that the reflexive pronoun always translates to “myself”, “yourself”, and so on. It sometimes implies a general action being done by the subject.
• Reflexive pronouns always refer back to the subject of the clause, ensure they agree in gender and number with the subject.