The Reflexive Form

Italian verbs can have a reflexive form. A reflexive infinitive is identifiable by the ending –si:

lavare + si = lavarsi mettere + si = mettersi divertire + si = divertirsi.

Note that the final –e of the infinitive is omitted. Reflexive pronouns are: mi, ti, si, ci, vi, and si. The following chart shows the subject pronouns with their corresponding Italian reflexive pronouns and English reflexive pronouns:

Note that the form for the third-person singular (lui/lei) and plural (loro) pronoun is the same: si. Also, when the word “sì” means “yes,” it is spelled with an accent in order to distinguish it from the pronoun “si.”

Reflexive verbs, like all other verbs, are conjugated in the various tenses and moods according to the infinitive ending (alzarsi: –are; mettersi: –ere; divertirsi: –ire) and according to any spelling changes or irregularities. Reflexive verbs, unlike other verbs however, must be preceded by their appropriate reflexive pronoun.

For simple tenses, if you know the conjugation of a verb (for example, mettere, “to put”), in order to conjugate it in a reflexive way (for example, mettersi “to put oneself”), simply put the reflexive pronouns before the simple tenses (mi metto, ti metti, si mette). Table 16 shows, as an example, the reflexive present tense of the verbs alzarsi (“to get up”), mettersi (“to put oneself”), divertirsi (“to have fun”), and trasferirsi (“to move”).

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Note that in the second option of the tu form, the infinitive drops the final –e before the pronoun.

In the verb charts, in the negative imperative of the tu form, only the second option will be displayed, but both are possible.

If the infinitive is preceded by a form of dovere, potere, or volere, the reflexive pronoun either attaches to the infinitive (which drops its final –e) or precedes the conjugated verb. Note that the reflexive pronoun agrees with the subject even when attached to the infinitive.

HOW ITALIAN REFLEXIVE VERBS TRANSLATE

INTO ENGLISH

A reflexive verb is a verb whose action refers back to the subject, such as “I see myself in the mirror” or “He considers himself intelligent.” In both of these examples, the subject and direct object are the same. Generally, when a verb is reflexive in English, it is also reflexive in Italian—for example, farsi male (“to hurt oneself”). The opposite is not true. When a verb is reflexive in Italian, it is not necessarily reflexive in English, as for examples the verbs below:

Many transitive verbs (those that can be followed by a direct object) can be nonreflexive or reflexive depending upon whether the subject is acting upon itself or upon someone or something else.

Note that the nonreflexive verb forms the compound tenses with avere, while the reflexive form always uses essere:

Often the action refers back to “part of oneself” as, for example, mi lavo le mani (I wash my hands). Note that, in these cases, reflexive meaning is often expressed in English by a possessive adjective rather than a reflexive verb. In the Italian sentences, the use of the reflexive pronoun identifies the subject and possession is understood; thus, the definite article is used rather than the possessive as it is used in English.