Reflexive Pronouns in Italian

What are reflexive pronouns?

Reflexive pronouns are those pronouns that are used in conjunction with verbs known as reflexive verbs. They are used exclusively when conjugating these verbs.

	Reflexive Pronoun
Io	mi
Tu	ti
Lui, Lei	si
Noi	ci
Voi	vi
Loro	si

What is a reflexive verb?

A reflexive verb is an Italian verb that includes a built-in ‘si’ in its infinitive form. For example:

• sentirsi → to feel
• svegliarsi  → to wake up
• divertirsi  → to have a good time

When conjugating a reflexive verb, in addition to conjugating the verb, we should add the appropriate reflexive pronouns for the subject. For example:

io mi sveglio	I wake up
tu ti svegli	you wake up
lui, lei si sveglia	he, she wakes up
noi ci svegliamo	we wake up
voi vi svegliate	you wake up (plural)
loro si svegliano	they wake up

Some books translate reflexive pronouns as ‘myself’, ‘yourself’, ‘himself’, etc. This translation is correct, but it can also cause confusion because these pronouns are not used in the same way in English. For instance:

• Mi sveglio translates to ‘I wake up’ in English, not ‘I wake myself up’.

In my classes, I often get the question, “How do I know whether a verb is reflexive or not?” Well, you can find out from the dictionary. Reflexive verbs are a distinct category. They include ‘si’ in their base form as listed in the dictionary. Therefore, you should not wonder whether you can make a verb reflexive or not; the verb inherently exists in that form.

What’s the position of reflexive pronouns?

Reflexive pronouns are used when conjugating a reflexive verb. The position of reflexive pronouns tends to be before the conjugated verb. For example:

• Mi alzo (I get up)
• Ci divertiamo (we have fun)
• Si arrabbiamo (they get)

However, there are three exceptions:

Modal verbs:

If a reflexive verb is preceded by a modal verb, you have the option to place the pronoun before the modal verb or attach it to the infinitive. For example:

• Devo svegliarmi alle 7 – Mi devo svegliare alle 7

Infinitive verbs:

If the reflexive pronoun accompanies an infinitive verb that isn’t being conjugated, the reflexive pronoun is placed at the end. For example:

• Ho deciso di svegliarmi alle dieci

Imperative forms:

In certain forms of the imperative, the reflexive pronoun is placed at the end. For example:

Svegliati! (Wake up)

Non lamentarti (Don’t complain!)

It goes without saying that even when you’re attaching the pronoun to the end of the verb, it must be modified depending on the subject it refers to. For example:

Most common Italian reflexive verbs 

svegliarsi	to wake up
alzarsi	to get up
lavarsi	to wash oneself
vestirsi	to get dressed
sedersi	to sit down
sentirsi	to feel
divertirsi	to enjoy oneself
addormentarsi	to fall asleep
arrabbiarsi	to get angry
chiamarsi	to be called
annoiarsi	to get bored
pentirsi	to regret
lamentarsi	to complain
fidarsi	to trust
riposarsi	to rest
spogliarsi	to undress
innamorarsi	to fall in love
interessarsi	to be interested
concentrarsi	to concentrate
dimenticarsi	to forget
prepararsi	to get ready
preoccuparsi	to worry
vergognarsi	to be ashamed
sbagliarsi	to be mistaken