what is it?
A reflexive verb is a verb whose action refers back to the subject — the subject and the object are the same person or thing. In German, this is shown by pairing the verb with a reflexive pronoun (accusative: mich, dich, sich, uns, euch, sich). Some verbs are obligatorily reflexive — they only exist with the reflexive pronoun (e.g. sich freuen). Others can be used either reflexively or with a separate object (e.g. sich duschen vs. das Kind duschen). With plural subjects the reflexive pronoun can also carry a reciprocal meaning — «each other».
when to use it
Obligatorily reflexive verbs. A small set of verbs must always carry the reflexive pronoun. Without it the sentence is ungrammatical. Examples: sich freuen (to be glad), sich beeilen (to hurry), sich treffen (to meet).
Actions done to oneself. Use the reflexive pronoun when the subject performs an action on themselves: sich duschen (to shower), sich waschen (to wash oneself), sich anziehen (to get dressed).
Reciprocal actions (plural subjects). When the subject is plural, sich (or uns / euch) often means «each other»: Wir treffen uns = We meet (each other). To make the reciprocal reading explicit, use einander (or its fused forms miteinander, voneinander) or the adverb gegenseitig.
formation
Conjugate the verb normally, then place the reflexive pronoun directly after the finite verb in a main clause. The pronoun agrees with the subject.
| subject | finite verb | reflexive pronoun | meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| ich | freue | mich | I am glad |
| du | freust | dich | you are glad |
| er / sie / es | freut | sich | he / she / it is glad |
| wir | freuen | uns | we are glad |
| ihr | freut | euch | you (pl.) are glad |
| sie / Sie | freuen | sich | they / you (formal) are glad |
Only the first and second person singular have unique reflexive pronouns (mich, dich). All other persons use forms identical to the personal pronouns (sich, uns, euch, sich).
In a question or after an adverb at position 1, the verb still comes second and the reflexive pronoun follows immediately: Heute duscht er sich. / Duscht er sich jeden Morgen?
examples in context
common pitfalls
Using sich for every person. The pronoun must match the subject. *Ich freue sich is wrong. First person singular requires mich: Ich freue mich.
Dropping the pronoun with obligatorily reflexive verbs. *Ich freue auf das Wochenende is ungrammatical. sich freuen always needs its reflexive pronoun: Ich freue mich auf das Wochenende.
Placing the pronoun before the verb. In a main clause the finite verb occupies position 2 and the reflexive pronoun follows it. *Ich mich freue is wrong. Correct: Ich freue mich.
Missing the reciprocal ambiguity of plural sich. Sie helfen sich usually means «they help each other», not «they help themselves». If the context is unclear, add gegenseitig for the reciprocal reading or selbst for the reflexive one.