Reflexive pronouns in German

Reflexive pronouns (Reflexivpronomen) are pronouns used with reflexive verbs to express actions caused by oneself or actions performed mutually by oneself and another person. In German, reflexive pronouns (Reflexivpronomen) are commonly used; however, this is a part of the language that can easily confuse learners. Today's article will introduce reflexive pronouns.

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Conversion table from personal pronouns to reflexive pronouns:

1. Position of the reflexive pronoun

- The position of the reflexive pronoun depends on the position of the subject.

• When the subject is in position 1, the reflexive pronoun comes immediately after the verb.

Ich ärgere mich über ihre Verspätung.

(I am annoyed about her being late.)- When the subject is a noun and is not in position 1, the reflexive pronoun comes before that subject.

Heute treffen uns die Lehrer um 8 Uhr.

(Today the teachers meet each other at 8 o'clock.)

• However, when the subject is a pronoun (Pronomen), the reflexive pronoun comes after the subject.

Morgen treffen wir uns im Café.

(Tomorrow we meet each other at the café.)

2. Usage

• The reflexive pronoun depends on the subject and can stand in the 3rd case Akkusativ or the 4th case Dativ.

Ich wasche mein Auto.

(I wash my car.)

→ The verb waschen on its own indicates that the subject has performed the action on another person/object. When combined with a reflexive pronoun, the verb waschen becomes a reflexive verb indicating that the subject performs the action on itself:

Ich wasche mich jeden Morgen.

(I wash myself every morning.)

→ In the case where there are two objects, the direct object takes the Akkusativ and the indirect object — in this case the reflexive pronoun — takes the Dativ.

Ich wasche mir meine Hände.

(I wash my hands.)

***Note: When a reflexive pronoun (Reflexivpronomen) is used with "reciprocal verbs" (reziproke Verben), they express a mutual relationship between individuals. These verbs only occur in the plural, so the reflexive pronoun will be in the corresponding plural form.

Die 2 Frauen sehen sich.

= Die 2 Frauen sehen einander.

(The 2 women look at each other.)