Reflexive Verbs in the Accusative
Learn the reflexive pronouns mich, dich, sich, uns, and euch. Practise verbs that are always or sometimes reflexive, their word order, and perfect-tense questions.
Explanation
Reflexive verbs with the accusative
A reflexive pronoun shows that the action returns to the subject:
- **Ich wasche mich.** (I wash myself.)
- **Nora beeilt sich.** (Nora hurries.)
Accusative reflexive pronouns
| Person | Subject pronoun | Reflexive pronoun | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st person singular | ich | mich | Ich freue **mich**. |
| 2nd person singular | du | dich | Du beeilst **dich**. |
| 3rd person singular | er/sie/es | sich | Er erinnert **sich**. |
| 1st person plural | wir | uns | Wir treffen **uns**. |
| 2nd person plural | ihr | euch | Ihr setzt **euch**. |
| 3rd person plural | sie | sich | Sie unterhalten **sich**. |
| formal address | Sie | sich | Sie melden **sich** an. |
Only the third person and formal **Sie** always use **sich**. The forms **mich, dich, uns, euch** match the accusative personal pronouns.
Always reflexive or only sometimes?
Some verbs require a reflexive pronoun in their usual meaning:
- **sich beeilen**
- **sich befinden**
- **sich bedanken für**
- **sich bewerben um**
- **sich interessieren für**
- **sich freuen auf/über**
Other verbs can be reflexive or take another accusative object:
- Ich wasche **mich**. / Ich wasche **das Fahrrad**.
- Leo zieht **sich** an. / Leo zieht **sein Kind** an.
- Wir treffen **uns**. / Wir treffen **unsere Freunde**.
Word order in the present tense
In statements and wh-questions, the conjugated verb is in position 2. The reflexive pronoun normally follows the verb and a pronominal subject. With a noun subject, it can come before the subject:
- Heute **erholt sich Nora** zu Hause.
- Wofür **interessiert sich Nora**?
- Du **bereitest dich** auf die Prüfung vor.
In yes/no questions, the verb comes first:
- **Erholt sich Nora** heute?
- **Bereitest du dich** auf die Prüfung vor?
Reflexive verbs in the perfect tense
Reflexive verbs normally form the perfect with **haben**. The reflexive pronoun is in the middle field, and the past participle is at the end:
- Ich **habe mich** über die Nachricht **gefreut**.
- **Hast du dich** für den Kurs **angemeldet**?
- Wir **haben uns** lange **unterhalten**.
Remember: the subject determines both the form of **haben** and the reflexive pronoun.
Exercises
- Read the connected texts and complete them with the correct reflexive pronouns. (3)
- Complete each sentence with the correct accusative reflexive pronoun. (11)
- Insert the verb in the present tense and the correct reflexive pronoun. (11)
- Use the cues to form a perfect-tense question and a complete affirmative answer. (11)
A2 · German · Grammar