German grammar · Elementary (A2)
Reflexive verbs: sich freuen, sich treffen
Verbs with sich: the reflexive pronouns mich, dich, sich, where they go, and the most useful reflexive verbs.
What is a reflexive verb?
A reflexive verb has an extra pronoun that refers back to the subject, like English “myself” or “yourself”: (I wash myself). German uses this with many verbs where English doesn't: (I'm happy, I'm looking forward to it). In the dictionary, these verbs are listed with : .
- Ich freue mich auf das Wochenende.I'm looking forward to the weekend.
- Wir treffen uns um elf.We're meeting at eleven.
The reflexive pronouns
The reflexive pronouns are the same as the accusative pronouns, except for / / and / , which all use . Note that polite has no capital letter:
| Person | Pronoun | |
|---|---|---|
| / / | ||
| / |
Where does it go?
The reflexive pronoun usually comes right after the conjugated verb. In a question, or when something else comes first, it follows a pronoun subject: In the Perfekt, reflexive verbs use : With a modal verb, the pronoun stays near the front and the infinitive goes to the end:
- Heute fühle ich mich nicht gut.I don't feel well today.
- Hast du dich gefreut?Were you pleased?
- Wir können uns morgen treffen.We can meet tomorrow.
Useful reflexive verbs
Some reflexive verbs go with a preposition: (to look forward to), (to be interested in). Learn the preposition with the verb.
| German | English | Example |
|---|---|---|
| () | to be happy; to look forward (to) | |
| to meet (up) | ||
| to feel | ||
| to hurry | ||
| to get dressed | ||
| () | to be interested (in) | |
| to sit down |