Reflexive Pronouns in German

This section explains Reflexive Pronouns in German and includes foundation and higher tier examples.

Introduction to Reflexive Pronouns

Reflexive pronouns are used when the subject and the object of the sentence are the same. In English, reflexive pronouns include myself, yourself, himself, herself, itself, ourselves, themselves, and yourselves.

In German, reflexive pronouns work similarly but must agree with the subject in person and number. Reflexive pronouns are often used with reflexive verbs (verbs where the action is performed on the subject itself, like sich waschen – to wash oneself).

Forms of Reflexive Pronouns

The reflexive pronouns in German are as follows:

Using Reflexive Pronouns in Sentences

Reflexive pronouns are used with reflexive verbs, and the reflexive pronoun will match the subject in person and number. Reflexive pronouns can be used in the accusative or dative case, depending on the verb.

Reflexive Verbs in the Accusative Case

When a verb is reflexive in the accusative case, the action is done directly to the subject (the object of the action is the same as the subject). In this case, the reflexive pronoun is in the accusative.

Examples:

Ich wasche mich.
(I wash myself.)

Du siehst dich im Spiegel.
(You see yourself in the mirror.)

Er erinnert sich an das Ereignis.
(He remembers the event.)

Wir freuen uns auf die Ferien.
(We are looking forward to the holidays.)

Reflexive Verbs in the Dative Case

Some reflexive verbs use the dative case, where the action is done to or for the subject. The reflexive pronoun will be in the dative.

Examples:

Ich kaufe mir ein neues Kleid.
(I buy myself a new dress.)

Er hat sich eine neue Uhr gekauft.
(He bought himself a new watch.)

Wir haben uns ein Hotelzimmer reserviert.
(We have reserved a hotel room for ourselves.)

Sie tut sich weh.
(She hurts herself.)

Common Reflexive Verbs

Here are some common reflexive verbs in German, along with their English equivalents:

Examples of reflexive verbs in sentences:

Ich muss mich beeilen, sonst verpasse ich den Zug.
(I must hurry, otherwise, I’ll miss the train.)

Wir erholen uns im Urlaub.
(We are relaxing on holiday.)

Sie hat sich über das Geschenk gefreut.
(She was happy about the gift.)

Reflexive Verbs with Different Meanings

Some verbs are reflexive in German but may not be reflexive in English. Additionally, the meaning can change when the verb is reflexive.

Examples:

sich etwas ansehen – to look at something (reflexive in German)

• Ich sehe mir einen Film an.
  (I am watching a film.)
  • Ich sehe einen Film.
    (I watch a film.)

sich etwas kaufen – to buy something for oneself (reflexive in German)

• Ich kaufe mir ein Auto.
  (I am buying myself a car.)
  • Ich kaufe ein Auto.
    (I buy a car.)

Reflexive Pronouns in Negative Sentences

When using reflexive pronouns in negative sentences, the nicht (not) usually goes after the reflexive pronoun.

Examples:

Ich wasche mich nicht.
(I am not washing myself.)

Du siehst dich nicht im Spiegel.
(You do not see yourself in the mirror.)

Er erinnert sich nicht an das Ereignis.
(He does not remember the event.)

Key Vocabulary:

• sich erinnern = to remember
• sich freuen = to be happy
• sich waschen = to wash oneself
• sich interessieren = to be interested
• sich kaufen = to buy (for oneself)
• der Spiegel = mirror
• der Zug = train
• die Ferien = holidays

Summary

• Reflexive pronouns are used when the subject and object of a sentence are the same.
• Reflexive pronouns must agree in person and number with the subject.
• Reflexive pronouns are used with reflexive verbs, and the case (accusative or dative) depends on the verb.
• In the accusative case, reflexive pronouns are used when the action is done to the subject (e.g., Ich wasche mich – I wash myself).
• In the dative case, reflexive pronouns are used when the action is done to or for the subject (e.g., Ich kaufe mir ein Buch – I buy myself a book).
• Reflexive verbs can have different meanings in German, and they may not always be reflexive in English.

Foundation and Higher Tier Notes:

• At the foundation level, focus on basic reflexive verbs and their use in everyday situations.
• At the higher tier, be aware of the different reflexive verbs in both the accusative and dative cases, and how their meanings can change. Practice using reflexive pronouns with more complex verbs and sentence structures.