LangritWhat are reflexive verbs?
Reflexive verbs are verbs whose action reflects back on the subject. In the dictionary they appear with zich: zich wassen (to wash oneself), zich voelen (to feel), zich herinneren (to remember).
The reflexive pronouns
Each subject has its own reflexive pronoun:
| Subject | Reflexive pronoun | Example |
|---|---|---|
| ik | me | Ik was me. — I wash myself. |
| jij / je | je | Jij voelt je goed. — You feel good. |
| u | zich (or u) | Voelt u zich beter? — Do you feel better? |
| hij / zij / het | zich | Hij scheert zich. — He shaves. |
| wij / we | ons | Wij vergissen ons. — We are mistaken. |
| jullie | je | Jullie vervelen je. — You are bored. |
| zij / ze (plural) | zich | Zij haasten zich. — They hurry. |
Position in the sentence
In a main clause, the reflexive pronoun comes directly after the conjugated verb:
- Ik herinner me die dag nog goed. — I still remember that day well.
- Zij maakt zich zorgen over het examen. — She is worried about the exam.
In a subclause, the verb moves to the end, and the reflexive pronoun comes directly after the subject:
- Ik denk dat hij zich verveelt. — I think that he is bored.
- Ze zegt dat ze zich niet goed voelt. — She says that she does not feel well.
In yes/no questions with inversion, the pronoun follows the subject: Voel je je goed? — Do you feel well?
Reflexive in Dutch, not in English
Many Dutch reflexive verbs have English translations that are not reflexive at all. These need extra attention:
| Dutch | English |
|---|---|
| zich herinneren | to remember |
| zich voelen | to feel |
| zich vervelen | to be bored |
| zich haasten | to hurry |
| zich vergissen | to be mistaken |
| zich zorgen maken | to worry |
| zich schamen | to be ashamed |
| zich verheugen op | to look forward to |
- Ik herinner me zijn naam niet. — I do not remember his name.
- We moeten ons haasten. — We have to hurry.
- Schaam je je niet? — Are you not ashamed?
Forgetting the pronoun is a classic mistake: Ik herinner die dag is wrong; it must be Ik herinner me die dag.