In this lesson I will explain to you reflexive verbs in the German language. I will explain to you what a reflexive verb is and find out about reflexive pronouns. You will get to know the differences between a real and an unreal reflexive verb. You will learn how to determine the correct case for the reflexive pronoun as well.
What is a Reflexive Verb?
Reflexive verbs require an additional reflexive pronoun, which takes the accusative or dative case. The reflexive pronoun is related to the subject of the sentence.
There are true and partial reflexive verbs
Example:
Reflexive Pronouns: Forms
| Personal Pronoun | ||
|---|---|---|
| ich | ||
| du | ||
| er/sie/es | ||
| wir | ||
| ihr | ||
| sie/Sie | ||
For more detailed information about the different pronouns check out Chapter 5: Pronouns. You will find everything you have to know about reflexive pronouns in lesson 5.03. Reflexive Pronouns.
True Reflexive Verbs
A true reflexive verb is always reflexive!
You can‘t replace or leave out the reflexive pronoun.
You can‘t ask a question about it.
- „Ich konzentriere mich (auf den Unterricht).“
It is impossible to use „konzentrieren“ without the reflexive pronoun.
In the dictionary these words are marked in the following way: „s. konzentrieren“ or „sich konzentrieren“ „konzentrieren (ref.)“. These words might be not reflexive in your own language, but the use of the reflexive pronoun in German is obligatory.
Partial Reflexive Verbs
You can ask a question about it.
Partial reflexive verbs can be used in a reflexive or non-reflexive way. It depends on the situation in the sentence.
The verb can also act on an object instead of the subject (And is therefore not reflexive).
- „Ich wasche mich.“
(Reflexive and acts on the subject. ⇒ We use a reflexive pronoun)
- „Ich wasche meine Hände.“
(Not reflexive and acts on the object „Hände“, not on the subject „ich“) ⇒ We don´t use a reflexive pronoun.)
Reflexive Pronouns: Dative or Accusative?
This normally holds:
Example: "Ich wasche mich." | Example: "Ich wasche mir die Hände." |
Exception: The verb requires a certain case. (Verbs with complements)
Word Order: Reflexive Verbs
In a regular Main Clause:
| Position 1 | Position 2 | Position 3 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ich (= Subject) | dusche | mich | heute Abend. |
In a Question:
| Position 1 | Position 2 | Position 3 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duscht | du (=Subject) | dich | heute Abend? |
In a Subordinate Clause:
„Ich dusche mich jetzt nicht,…“ – Main Clause
| Position 1 | Position 2 | Position 3 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| ..., weil | ich (= Subject) | mich | heute Abend duschen werde. |
Only the main verb goes to the end.
The reflexive pronoun stays in position 3.
With modal and helping verbs:
| Position 1 | Position 2 | Position 3 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ich | will | mich | heute Abend duschen. |
| Ich | habe | mich | gestern Abend geduscht. |
Only the main verb goes to the end
The reflexive pronoun is in position 3, after the modal verb or helping verb.
Further Information
- Reflexive Verbs use Reflexive Pronouns.
- Reflexive pronouns can stand in Dative or in Accusative Clauses.
- The word order depends on the type of clause. In a main clause it gets position 3 or 4. In a subordinate clause it stays in position 3.
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