Reflexive Verbs
Actions Performed Upon Oneself
What is a reflexive verb?
In both English and Italian, reflexive verbs refer to
when an action is being performed upon oneself.
For example:
I wash my hair.
Mi lavo i capelli.
In English, we say “my” hair. In Italian, when using
reflexive verbs, body parts are referred to by using
the definite article.
How do Reflexives work in Italian?
In Italian, reflexive infinitives end in “si”.
Define the following infinitives , now, in your notes:
Addormentarsi
Alzarsi
Chiamarsi
Dimenticarsi
Divertirsi
Farsi la barba
Farsi il bagno
Lavarsi
Mettersi
Prepararsi
Ricordarsi
Riposarsi
Sedersi
Sentirsi
Sposarsi
Svegliarsi
Vestirsi
How are Reflexive Verbs Conjugated?
All Italian reflexive verbs use reflexive pronouns
when conjugated.
Mi
Ti
Si
Myself
Yourself
Himself
Herself
Yourself (form, s)
Ci
Vi
Si
Ourselves
Yourselves
Themselves
Yourself (form,pl)
How are Reflexive Verbs Conjugated?
Conjugating Reflexive verbs in present tense is very
similar to regular present tense, with one extra
step:
1. Take the last 4 letters off the end of the
infinitive to get to the stem.
Lavarsi – ARSI = Lav
How are Reflexive Verbs Conjugated?
Place the reflexive pronoun directly before the
conjugated verb.
mi lavo
ci laviamo
ti lavi
vi lavate
*si lava
*si lavano
*Using subject pronouns is not necessary, but I
would with third person to differentiate between
lui, lei, Lei, loro and Loro.
Un Po’ di Prattica!
Translate the following in your notes:
We wake up at 8:30 every morning. (yes, translate
the time too!)
She gets dressed in a hurry.
You (s, fam.) wash your hands before eating.
Un Po’ di Prattica!
We wake up at 8:30 every morning.
Ci svegliamo alle otto e mezzo ogni mattina.
She gets dressed in a hurry.
Lei si veste in fretta.
You (s, fam.) wash your hands before eating.
Ti lavi le mani prima di mangiare.