Reflective verbs are composed of a pronoun and a verb, like mi lavoI wash myself. Let’s learn the rules of reflexive verbs together.
Reflexive verbs
Reflective verbs express an action that refers to the subject, such as: mi divertoI enjoy myself. They consist of a verb and a pronoun, namely a reflexive pronoun. In the infinitive, the reflexive pronoun si hangs at the end of the verb, losing the -e of the infinitive -are/-ere/-ire. Many verbs reflexive in Italian, but not in English, like alzarsito stand up.
ARE
ERE
IRE
alzar |si to stand up
seder |si to sit down
divertir | si to enjoy yourself, to have fun
The formation of the reflexive verbs in the present tense
Reflective verbs behave like the non-reflective verbs and are divided into the three conjugation patterns. The reflexive pronoun is located before the conjugated verb.
reflexive pronoun + present form
ALZARSI to stand up
SEDERSI to sit down
DIVERTIRSI to enjoy oneself, to have fun
io
mi alzo
mi siedo
mi diverto
tu
ti alzi
ti siedi
tidiverti
lui, lei
si alza
sisiede
si diverte
noi
cialziamo
cisediamo
cidivertiamo
voi
vi alzate
visedete
vi divertite
loro
si alzano
si siedono
si divertono
LIST IMPORTANT REFLEXIVE VERBS
svegliarsi
to wake up
alzarsi
to stand up
lavarsi
to wash yourself
prepararsi
to prepare yourself
vestirsi
to get dressed
mettersi
to put on*
pettinarsi
to comb
truccarsi
to put on make up
farsi la barba
to shave
sedersi
to sit down
sdraiarsi
to lay down
addormentarsi
to fall asleep
chiamarsi
to be named, be called
innamorarsi (di)
to fall in love (with)
sposarsi
to marry
rilassarsi
to relax
riposarsi
to rest
incontrarsi
to meet
divertirsi
to enjoy yourself, to have fun
annoiarsi
to get bored
arrabbiarsi
to get angry
*The explanation of the difference between vestirsi and mettersi can be found here.
ESEMPI
Mi diverto molto a giocare con il mio cane. I have a lot of fun playing with my dog.
La sera Fiona e Romeo si addormentano sempre davanti alla TV. In the evening Fiona and Romeo always fall asleep in front of the TV.
Adesso mi sdraio sul divano e mi rilasso un po’! Now I just lie down on the couch and relax a little bit!
Mio padre si fa la barba ogni due giorni. My dad shaves every other day.
Ci laviamo le mani e poi mangiamo. We wash our hands and then we eat.
Kira: In the evening I relax in front of the fireplace.
Cody: "The bear Bruno always wakes up early. The alarm clock rings at six." Bruno: "I wake up at six, but I get up at 6.30."
Other reflexive verbs: alzarsi to get up
Reflexive verbs Lavarsito wash oneself
Kira: "Bruno is getting ready to go out: He brushes his teeth, he showers and combs his hair. His fur is very soft!" Bruno: "But I don't use make-up because I'm not a female bear!"
Other reflexive verbs: prepararsi to prepare oneself, get ready lavarsi i denti to brush one's teeth farsi la doccia to have a shower pettinarsi to comb one's hair truccarsi to put on make up
Reflexive verbs Rilassarsito relax
Cody: "In the evening Bruno relaxes! He lies on the pillow and eats chips."
Bruno: "I often watch a film! But sometimes I fall asleep..."
Other reflexive verbs: sdraiarsi to lie down addormentarsi to fall asleep
Reflexive verbs Arrabbiarsito get angry
Kira: "Bruno loves playing video games!" Bruno: "But when I lose, I get angry!"
Other reflexive verbs: Divertirsi to enjoy oneself, to have fun
Today is a special day. Bruno has an appointment with the bear* Betta today. He prepares himself carefully, he combs his hair and he even puts on a tie. He looks at himself satisfied in the mirror. Bruno and Betta meet each other at the trattoria "Sweet Honey". They chat and have a lot of fun. Finally Bruno approaches her. They look into each other's eyes and then... ...they kiss! Bruno has really fallen in love with her**!
*l'orsetta is the diminutive form of orsa. Basic forms: l'orso - l'orsa Diminutive: l'orsetto - l'orsetta
**the verb form si è innamorato is in the past form passato prossimo.
Reflexive verbs: prepararsi to prepare, to get ready pettinarsi to comb one's hair mettersi qlcs. to put sth. on guardarsi (allo specchio) tolook at oneself in the mirror incontrarsi tomeet have divertirsi to enjoy oneself, to have fun avvicinarsi a qlcn. toapproach sb., to get close guardarsi (negli occhi) to look at each other (in the eyes) innamorarsi to fall in love
Exercise Complete the sentences with the appropriate reflexive verb and conjugate it in the indicative present tense.
Lösung 1. Mia sorella si alza alle sette. My sister gets up at seven. 2. Prima di uscire iomi preparo: mi faccio la doccia emi lavo i denti. Before I go out I get ready: I shower and brush my teeth. 3. Oggi leisi mette una felpa nera. Today she wears a black sweatshirt. 4. Alla sera noici sdraiamo sul divano e ci rilassiamo. At night we lie on the couch and relax. 5. Mio marito si diverte a giocare alla Play Station. Ma se perde si arrabbia! My husband enjoys playing at the Play Station. But if he loses, he gets angry!
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Question 1 of 3
1. Question
Completa la coniugazione del verbo divertirsi.
Mi diverto
(ti diverti)
(si diverte)
ci divertiamo
(vi divertite)
si divertono
Correct
Fantastico!
Incorrect
Oh no 🙁
Question 2 of 3
2. Question
Inserisci la forma giusta del verbo riflessivo.
La mamma (si alza) (alzarsi) sempre molto presto.
(Mi metto) (mettersi, io) la giacca perché fa freddo.
La mattina bevono il caffè e poi (si lavano) (loro, lavarsi) i denti.
Il mio collega (si veste) (vestirsi) sempre elegante.
(Ti addormenti) (addormentarsi, tu) mentre guardi la TV?
La mia amica (si sposa) (sposarsi)!
Correct
Ottimo!
Incorrect
Oh no 🙁
Question 3 of 3
3. Question
Inserisci i verbi al posto giusto e completa la storia di Bruno e Betta!
si baciano – si mette – si incontrano – si prepara – si divertono
Oggi è un giorno speciale. Bruno ha un appuntamento con l'orsetta Betta.
Lui (si prepara) con cura, si pettina e (si mette) anche la cravatta.
Si guarda allo specchio soddisfatto.
Bruno e Betta (si incontrano) alla trattoria "Miele Dolce".
Chiacchierano e (si divertono) molto.
Infine Bruno si avvicina a lei. Loro si guardano negli occhi e poi...
...(si baciano)!
Bruno si è proprio innamorato di lei!