German grammar › A2
Reflexive verbs
Level A2 · sich — when the action comes back to you
What is a reflexive verb?
A reflexive verb is used with sich (myself, yourself …) because the action comes back to the subject: Ich wasche mich. = I wash myself.
When you use them
- Daily routine: sich waschen, sich anziehen, sich beeilen.
- Feelings: sich freuen (be happy), sich ärgern (be annoyed).
- Many verbs are reflexive in German but not in English: sich erinnern = to remember.
Pattern
subject + verb + reflexive pronoun + …
What changes
the pronoun changes with the person: ich → mich, du → dich, er → sich
Examples
- Ich freue **mich**. — I’m happy.
- Wir treffen **uns** um acht. — We meet at eight.
Remember: Only er / sie / es / sie / Sie use sich — the others use their normal pronoun: mich, dich, uns, euch.
Watch out: Don’t translate word for word: “I remember” is Ich erinnere mich, not “Ich erinnere”.
Uses the pronouns from: Personal pronouns (mich, mir).
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