What Are Reflexive Pronouns in Italian?

Reflexive pronouns are used in Italian when the subject and the object of a verb are the same. They indicate that the action of the verb is directed back onto the subject. In English, we use reflexive pronouns like “myself,” “yourself,” “himself,” “herself,” “itself,” “ourselves,” “yourselves,” and “themselves.”

In Italian, reflexive pronouns are as follows:

• mi (myself)
• ti (yourself, singular informal)
• si (himself, herself, itself, yourself formal)
• ci (ourselves)
• vi (yourselves, plural)
• si (themselves)

Conjugating Reflexive Verbs in Italian

Reflexive verbs in Italian are conjugated with the reflexive pronouns mentioned above. These pronouns are placed before the verb, and the verb is conjugated according to the subject. Here’s an example using the verb “lavarsi” (to wash oneself):

• Io mi lavo (I wash myself)
• Tu ti lavi (You wash yourself, singular informal)
• Lui/Lei si lava (He/She washes himself/herself)
• Lei si lava (You wash yourself, singular formal)
• Noi ci laviamo (We wash ourselves)
• Voi vi lavate (You wash yourselves, plural)
• Loro si lavano (They wash themselves)

Reflexive Pronouns with Compound Tenses

When using reflexive pronouns with compound tenses, such as the passato prossimo, the past participle agrees in gender and number with the subject. The auxiliary verb “essere” is used instead of “avere.” Here’s an example with the verb “svegliarsi” (to wake up):

• Io mi sono svegliato (I woke up, masculine)
• Io mi sono svegliata (I woke up, feminine)
• Tu ti sei svegliato/a (You woke up, masculine/feminine)
• Lui si è svegliato (He woke up)
• Lei si è svegliata (She woke up)
• Noi ci siamo svegliati (We woke up, masculine or mixed group)
• Noi ci siamo svegliate (We woke up, feminine group)
• Voi vi siete svegliati/e (You woke up, masculine/feminine)
• Loro si sono svegliati (They woke up, masculine or mixed group)
• Loro si sono svegliate (They woke up, feminine group)

Reflexive Pronouns with Infinitives and Gerunds

When reflexive pronouns are used with infinitives or gerunds, they can either be attached to the end of the verb or placed before the conjugated verb. For example:

• Preferisco lavarmi i capelli la sera (I prefer to wash my hair in the evening)
• Mi preferisco lavare i capelli la sera (I prefer to wash my hair in the evening)
• Stavo preparandomi per uscire (I was getting ready to go out)
• Mi stavo preparando per uscire (I was getting ready to go out)

Common Italian Reflexive Verbs

Here’s a list of common Italian reflexive verbs to help you practice using reflexive pronouns:

• Alzarsi (to get up)
• Arrabbiarsi (to get angry)
• Divertirsi (to have fun)
• Fermarsi (to stop)
• Guardarsi (to look at oneself)
• Mettersi (to put on, wear)
• Preoccuparsi (to worry)
• Sentirsi (to feel)
• Sposarsi (to get married)
• Vestirsi (to get dressed)

Recap and Final Thoughts

Reflexive pronouns in Italian are essential for expressing actions that involve the subject and the object being the same. By understanding their conjugation, usage with different verb tenses, and common reflexive verbs, you will be well on your way to mastering this important aspect of Italian grammar. Practice using reflexive pronouns in various contexts to boost your confidence and fluency in Italian. Buona fortuna!