German Reflexive Verbs
German reflexive verbs require a reflexive pronoun that refers back to the subject. The accusative pronouns are mich, dich, sich, uns, euch, sich. When a second object is present, use dative forms: mir, dir, sich, uns, euch, sich. True reflexive verbs like sich freuen always need a pronoun.
Reflexive verbs describe actions the subject performs on itself. The reflexive pronoun must match the subject in person and number. In most sentences, the pronoun appears directly after the conjugated verb.
Some verbs can be used reflexively or non-reflexively. For example, waschen means to wash something, but sich waschen means to wash oneself. Other verbs exist only in reflexive form and cannot function without their pronoun.
When a reflexive verb already has an accusative object, the reflexive pronoun shifts to dative. This happens with body parts and clothing: you brush the teeth to yourself, not yourself. The pronoun changes from mich to mir, from dich to dir, and so on.
In compound tenses like the perfect, reflexive verbs always use haben as the auxiliary. The reflexive pronoun stays in its normal position after the conjugated form of haben, while the past participle moves to the end of the clause.
- Reflexive pronouns refer back to the subject
- Reflexivverben brauchen ein Reflexivpronomen, das auf das Subjekt zurückweist: Ich wasche mich.
- Accusative reflexive pronouns
- Akkusativ-Reflexivpronomen: mich, dich, sich, uns, euch, sich
- Dative reflexive pronouns with a second object
- Dativ-Reflexivpronomen (bei einem zweiten Objekt): mir, dir, sich, uns, euch, sich — Ich wasche mir die Hände.
- True reflexive verbs require pronouns
- Echte Reflexivverben funktionieren nur mit Pronomen: sich freuen, sich beeilen, sich erholen.
- Pronoun position after conjugated verb
- Das Reflexivpronomen steht meist direkt nach dem konjugierten Verb: Ich freue mich auf das Wochenende.
- Perfect tense with haben
- Im Perfekt steht das Pronomen nach haben: Ich habe mich gefreut.
Examples
Common mistakes
- Using ich wasche instead of ich wasche mich when no object is specified
- Saying ich wasche mich die Hände instead of ich wasche mir die Hände
- Placing the pronoun incorrectly: ich mich freue instead of ich freue mich
- Forgetting the pronoun with true reflexive verbs: ich freue instead of ich freue mich
FAQ
When do I use mir instead of mich with reflexive verbs?
Use the dative form mir when the sentence already has an accusative object, typically a body part or piece of clothing. For example, ich wasche mir die Hände uses mir because die Hände is the accusative object.
What are true reflexive verbs in German?
True reflexive verbs like sich freuen, sich beeilen, and sich erholen exist only in reflexive form. They cannot be used without their reflexive pronoun and have no non-reflexive meaning.
Where does the reflexive pronoun go in a German sentence?
The reflexive pronoun typically appears directly after the conjugated verb. In questions and subordinate clauses, it follows the subject if the subject comes after the verb. In perfect tense, it comes after the form of haben.