Italiano III –
Reflexive Verbs
A reflexive verb is an action that reflects on the
person who is performing the action.
In English, you recognize a reflexive verb quite
easily, mostly by the use of “myself, yourself, etc”
or “get + past participle” or use of possessives.
For example: I enjoy myself at your parties.
She gets washed every morning.
They are combing their hair.
Roberta Pennasilico, Naples HS
Reflexives as Reciprocal verbs.
• Reflexive verbs also indicate
“reciprocal” actions, mostly indicated
by the use of “each other” and/or
“one another”.
• Ex. They call each other every night. =
Si chiamano ogni sera.
Roberta Pennasilico, Naples HS
How do you recognize a
reflexive verb in Italian?
• They end with –RSI.
• Some examples: alzarsi = to get up,
vestirsi = to get dressed, pettinarsi =
to comb one’s hair, etc.
Roberta Pennasilico, Naples HS
How do they work?
Situation 1 – simple present
• For ex., you need to say, “I wake up at 6:30 every morning.” [habitual
action = present tense]
• Step ONE: take the verb “to wake up” = svegliarsi
• Step TWO: forget about the ending –si for a moment, and focus on the
root svegliar• Step THREE: add the right verb form for the present tense:
• Svegli- + -O = SVEGLIO (the ending for the “I” person)
• Step FOUR: Add the small word that refers to “myself” = MI
• The result is: MI SVEGLIO = I wake up
• These 4 steps will become automatic as you practice!!
Roberta Pennasilico, Naples HS
So, you supply the regular ending to the verb (i.e. lavare), but
when you use it in a reflexive way (to oneself), you need to add
one of the small words before the verb itself.
MI lavo – I wash myself
TI lavi – you wash yourself
SI lava – He/She washes herself
CI laviamo – we wash ourselves
VI lavate – you guys wash yourselves
SI lavano –they wash themselves
How do they work?
Situation 2 – present + modal
• A reflexive verb might follow a modal:
• I want to wake up early. In this case, you have 2 verbs in
a row (in red and in blue)
• Step ONE: change the first verb in the right present
form:
• I want = VOGLIO
• Step TWO = take the second verb in its infinitive form :
to wake up = alzarsi and ONLY change the final “-si”
into the word for ‘myself’ = “-mi”
• The result is VOGLIO SVEGLIARMI
Roberta Pennasilico, Naples HS
Is this clear? Now you practice
(the reflexive verbs are indicated in parentheses)
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She never has any fun! (divertirsi)
Lei non si diverte mai!
Parents always worry (preoccuparsi)
I genitori si preoccupano sempre.
They always hug! (abbracciarsi)
Si abbracciano sempre!
He forgets about homework (dimenticarsi di)
Lui si dimentica dei compiti.
Roberta Pennasilico, Naples HS
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My parents love each other a lot (amarsi)
I miei genitori si amano molto.
We take a shower every night. (farsi)
Ci facciamo una doccia ogni sera.
She puts too much make up on. (truccarsi)
Lei si trucca troppo.
My teacher complains a lot (lamentarsi)
La mia professoressa si lamenta molto.
They get bored in class. (annoiarsi)
Si annoiano in classe.
I get changed before the party. (cambiarsi)
Mi cambio prima della festa.
Roberta Pennasilico, Naples HS
Now watch out!
Modals + reflexives
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I want to get changed here. (cambiarsi)
Voglio cambiarmi qui.
She can take a shower now. (farsi)
Lei puo’ farsi una doccia ora.
They cannot kiss at school! (baciarsi)
Non possono baciarsi a scuola!
You can’t get mad at him. (arrabbiarsi con)
Non puoi arrabbiarti con lui.
Roberta Pennasilico, Naples HS
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You must try hard at school (impegnarsi)
Devi impegnarti a scuola.
I want to get married soon . (sposarsi)
Voglio sposarmi presto.
You cannot behave badly here. (comportarsi)
Non puoi comportarti male qui.
She must get used to this food. (abituarsi a)
Lei deve abituarsi a questo cibo.
They can’t get bored here! (annoiarsi)
Non possono annoiarsi qui!
I want to dress up as a cow-boy! (vestirsi da)
Voglio vestirmi da cow-boy!
Roberta Pennasilico, Naples HS
Good Job!! Bravi!!!
Roberta Pennasilico, Naples HS