Italiano III – Reflexive Verbs

A reflexive verb is an action that reflects on the person who is performing the action.

In English, you recognize a reflexive verb quite easily, mostly by the use of “myself, yourself, etc”

or “get + past participle” or use of possessives.

For example: I enjoy myself at your parties.She gets washed every morning.

They are combing their hair.

Roberta Pennasilico, Naples HS

• Reflexive verbs also indicate “reciprocal” actions, mostly indicated by the use of “each other” and/or “one another”.

• Ex. They call each other every night. = Si chiamano ogni sera.

Reflexives as Reciprocal verbs.

Roberta Pennasilico, Naples HS

How do you recognize a reflexive verb in

Italian?

• They end with –RSI.• Some examples: alzarsi = to get

up, vestirsi = to get dressed, pettinarsi = to comb one’s hair, etc.

Roberta Pennasilico, Naples HS

How do they work?Situation 1 – simple

present• For ex., you need to say, “I wake up at 6:30 every morning.”

[habitual action = present tense]• Step ONE: take the verb “to wake up” = svegliarsi • Step TWO: forget about the ending –arsi for a moment, and focus

on the root svegli-• Step THREE: add the right verb form for the present tense:• Svegli- + -O = SVEGLIO (the ending for the “I” person)• Step FOUR: Add the small word that refers to “myself” = MI

• The result is: MI SVEGLIO = I wake up• These 4 steps will become automatic as you practice!!

Roberta Pennasilico, Naples HS

According to the person you’re talking about, you need to add:MI (myself), TI (yourself), SI (him/herself),

CI (ourselves), VI (yourselves), SI (themselves)

• A reflexive verb might follow a modal: • I want to wake up early. In this case, you have 2 verbs in

a row (in red and in blue)• Step ONE: change the first verb in the right present form:• I want = VOGLIO• Step TWO = take the second verb in its infinitive form :

to wake up = alzarsi and ONLY change the final “-si” into the word for ‘myself’ = “-mi”

• The result is VOGLIO SVEGLIARMI

The alternative is: MI voglio SVEGLIARE

How do they work?Situation 2 – present + modal

(must, can, want)

Roberta Pennasilico, Naples HS

Is this clear? Now you practice(the reflexive verbs are indicated in parentheses)

• She never has any fun! (divertirsi)• Lei non si diverte mai!• Parents always worry (preoccuparsi)• I genitori si preoccupano sempre.• They always hug! (abbracciarsi)• Si abbracciano sempre!• He forgets about homework (dimenticarsi di)• Lui si dimentica dei compiti.

Roberta Pennasilico, Naples HS

• My parents love each other a lot (amarsi)• I miei genitori si amano molto.• We take a shower every night. (farsi)• Ci facciamo una doccia ogni sera.• She puts too much make up on. (truccarsi)• Lei si trucca troppo.• My teacher complains a lot (lamentarsi)• La mia professoressa si lamenta molto.• They get bored in class. (annoiarsi)• Si annoiano in classe.• I get changed before the party. (cambiarsi)• Mi cambio prima della festa.

Roberta Pennasilico, Naples HS

Now watch out! Modals + reflexives

• I want to get changed here. (cambiarsi)• Voglio cambiarmi qui.• She can take a shower now. (farsi)• Lei puo’ farsi una doccia ora.• They cannot kiss at school! (baciarsi)• Non possono baciarsi a scuola!• You can’t get mad at him. (arrabbiarsi con)• Non puoi arrabbiarti con lui.

Roberta Pennasilico, Naples HS

• You must try hard at school (impegnarsi)• Devi impegnarti a scuola.• I want to get married soon . (sposarsi)• Voglio sposarmi presto.• You cannot behave badly here. (comportarsi)• Non puoi comportarti male qui.• She must get used to this food. (abituarsi a)• Lei deve abituarsi a questo cibo.• They can’t get bored here! (annoiarsi)• Non possono annoiarsi qui!• I want to dress up as a cow-boy! (vestirsi da)• Voglio vestirmi da cow-boy!

Roberta Pennasilico, Naples HS

Good Job!! Bravi!!!

Roberta Pennasilico, Naples HS