Reflexive
Verbs
Reflexive verbs express an action that
reciprocates back to the subject. In other words,
whoever is speaking is doing an action to himself.
Examples in English would be: I wash myself, he hurts
himself, we hate ourselves. Usually the -self words
are a clue in English, however there are more reflexive
verbs in German than in English.
Reflexive Pronouns
| Accusative |
|
Dative |
| mich |
uns |
|
mir |
uns |
| dich |
euch |
|
dir |
euch |
| sich |
sich |
|
sich |
sich |
The reflexive pronoun follows the verb
and agrees with the subject. When a clause contains
another object besides the reflexive pronoun, then
the reflexive pronoun is in the dative case since
the other object is in the accusative case. This is
when you use the dative reflexive pronouns instead
of the accusative ones.
Accusative: Ich fühle mich nicht wohl
- I don't feel well.
Dative: Ich ziehe mir den Mantel aus
- I'm taking off my coat.
Also note that parts of the body and
articles of clothing use the definite article, not
a possessive.
Reflexive Verbs
| sich ärgern |
to get angry |
|
sich aufregen |
to get excited |
| sich ausruhen |
to rest |
|
sich erkälten |
to catch a cold |
| sich freuen |
to be happy |
|
sich (wohl) fühlen |
to feel (well) |
| sich hinlegen |
to lie down |
|
sich anziehen |
to get dressed |
| sich verletzen |
to get hurt |
|
sich ausziehen |
to get undressed |
| sich beeilen |
to hurry |
|
sich setzen |
to sit down |
| sich erholen |
to relax |
|
sich vorstellen |
to imagine |
| Reflexive Verbs + Accusative: |
| sich ärgern über |
to be angry at/about |
| sich erinnern an |
to remember |
| sich freuen über |
to happy about |
| sich gewöhnen an |
to get used to |
| sich kümmern um |
to take care of |
| sich interessieren für |
to be interested in |
| sich verlieben in |
to fall in love with |
| Reflexive Verbs + Dative: |
| sich erkundigen nach |
to ask about |
| sich fürchten vor |
to be afraid of |
|
