Lesson 65: Reflexive verbs / Verbi riflessivi
- A reflective verb is a verb which directs the action back to its subject. In sentences that use reflexive verbs, the subject and the direct object are the same (although there are some exceptions):
Mi diverto al cinema.
I am enjoying myself at the movies.
Ti sei divertito?
Did you have fun?
literally: Did you enjoy yourself?Note that in English we often omit the myself, yourself, etc., but in Italian, the pronoun must be used.
- Reflexive pronouns are almost identical (except for the 3rd person singular and plural) to direct-object pronouns:
mi (io)
ti (tu)
si (lui, lei)ci (noi)
vi (voi)
si (loro) - When conjugating reflexive verbs, the reflexive pronoun is necessary for the proper meaning, especially if the subject and the direct object are one and the same. Below is the a sample conjugation of the common verb, divertirsi, conjugated in the present tense:
mi diverto
ti diverti
si diverteci divertiamo
vi divertite
si divertono - Reflexive pronouns always precede the verb. When reflexive verbs are used with dovere, potere or volere, the reflexive pronouns attaches to the infinitive or precedes the conjugated verb.
Non voglio svegliarmi. or Non mi voglio svegliare.
I don’t want to wake up.Deve mettersi un’altra giacca. or Si deve mettere un’altra giacca.
He has to put on another jacket. - In the passato prossimo (and other compound tenses), reflexive verbs always take essere. The past participle must agree in gender and number with the subject of the sentence:
Maria non si รจ divertita alla festa.
Maria did not enjoy herself at the party.I miei fratelli non si sono svegliati per scuola.
My brothers did not wake up for school. - Reflexive verbs can be regular transitive verbs only when the action performed by the subject affects someone or something else and not themselves. Remember that when the action is redirected back onto the subject (and the direct object and subject are the similar, a reflexive pronoun must be used).
Consider these examples:
Mi lavo stamattina prima di andare a scuola.
I wash up in the morning before going to school.
Lavo la macchina il sabato.
I wash the car on Saturday. - If you are looking for a list of some common reflexive verbs, click here.
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