Contents · A2
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Reflexive verbs are conjugated with a reflexive pronoun that refers to the subject, like “myself” in “I hurt myself”. The pattern of chiamarsi extends to all the verbs of daily routine: waking up, getting up, washing, getting dressed, sitting down.
Reflexive verbs in the present: mi alzo, ci vediamo#
Formation
The reflexive pronoun is placed before the conjugated verb: mi, ti, si, ci, vi, si. The verb is conjugated like an ordinary verb of the same conjugation: alzarsi like parlare, mettersi like prendere, vestirsi like dormire. In the infinitive, the pronoun si is attached to the end of the verb, which drops its final -e: alzare becomes alzarsi. Sedersi (“to sit down”) has an irregular stem in the three persons of the singular and in the third person plural: mi siedo, ti siedi, si siede, si siedono, but ci sediamo, vi sedete.
| alzarsi | sedersi | |
|---|---|---|
| io | mi alzo | mi seggo |
| tu | ti alzi | ti siedi |
| lui/lei | si alza | si siede |
| noi | ci alziamo | ci sediamo |
| voi | vi alzate | vi sedete |
| loro | si alzano | si seggono |
Use
Reflexive verbs mainly describe the actions of the day: svegliarsi, alzarsi, lavarsi, vestirsi, prepararsi, truccarsi, sedersi. They are also used for clothes: mettersi (“to put on”) and togliersi (“to take off”). In the plural, they express a reciprocal action: ci vediamo (“we see each other”), si sposano (“they are getting married”). Two set phrases are used to say goodbye: Ci vediamo! (“See you!”) and Ci sentiamo! (“Speak soon!”). Before an infinitive, the pronoun changes with the subject and is attached to the end of the infinitive: Devo alzarmi presto. With dovere, potere and volere, it can also be placed before the conjugated verb: Mi devo alzare presto. Both orders are correct.
- La mattina mi sveglio alle sette.In the morning I wake up at seven.
- I bambini si lavano le mani prima di mangiare.The children wash their hands before eating.
- Fa freddo, mi metto il maglione.It’s cold, I’m putting my jumper on.
- In treno mi siedo sempre vicino alla finestra.On the train I always sit by the window.
- Sabato non dobbiamo alzarci presto.We don’t have to get up early on Saturday.
- Anna e Paolo si sposano a giugno.Anna and Paolo are getting married in June.
Difference from English
Many English verbs of daily routine have no reflexive pronoun, or use “get”: “I get up”, “I get dressed”, “I sit down”, “they get married”. Their Italian equivalents are reflexive, and the pronoun cannot be left out: mi alzo, mi vesto, mi siedo, si sposano. English “each other” is also expressed by the reflexive pronoun: ci vediamo (“we see each other”). With a part of the body or a garment, English uses the possessive and Italian the article, since the reflexive pronoun already shows whose it is: mi lavo i denti (“I brush my teeth”), si toglie il cappello (“he takes his hat off”).
Common mistakes
Alzo alle sette.→ Mi alzo alle sette.Without the reflexive pronoun, alzo means “I lift (something)”.Devo mi alzare presto.→ Devo alzarmi presto.The pronoun is attached to the infinitive or placed before the modal verb (Mi devo alzare presto), never between the two.
In short
| Point | Form | Example |
|---|---|---|
| reflexive pronouns | mi, ti, si, ci, vi, si before the verb | mi alzo, ci alziamo |
| sedersi | stem sied- except with noi and voi | mi siedo, ci sediamo |
| reciprocal | reflexive verb in the plural | ci vediamo, si sposano |
| clothes | mettersi, togliersi + article | mi metto il cappotto |
| before an infinitive | pronoun attached, or before the modal | devo alzarmi = mi devo alzare |
Practise
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