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Reflexive verbs

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A verb is considered reflexive when the subject and the object of a sentence are the same.

What a reflexive verb is (and why Italian uses it)

In Italian, many daily-routine actions are expressed with a reflexive verb.

  • svegliarsi = to wake up (yourself)
  • vestirsi = to get dressed (yourself)

In English we often say “I wake up / I get dressed” without “myself”. In Italian, the idea “the action goes back to the subject” is shown with a reflexive pronoun.

The key rule: -si in the infinitive, pronoun before the verb

  • Infinitive ends in -si: svegliar-si, vestir-si
  • In a normal present-tense sentence: pronoun + verb

Io mi sveglio (NOT Io sveglio)

Tu ti vesti (NOT Tu vesti)

Step-by-step: how to build the present tense

  1. Choose the subject: io, tu, lui/lei, noi, voi, loro
  2. Pick the reflexive pronoun that matches the subject
  3. Conjugate the verb (like a normal verb) and put it after the pronoun
Subject Reflexive pronoun Example (svegliarsi)
iomimi sveglio
tutiti svegli
lui / leisisi sveglia
noicici svegliamo
voivivi svegliate
lorosisi svegliano

Common confusion: “si” has two meanings

  • si = himself / herself: Lui si veste (He gets dressed.)
  • si = themselves: Loro si vestono (They get dressed.)

Tip: if you see si, use the subject (lui/lei or loro) to understand the meaning.

Reflexive vs. reciprocal: “we see each other”

Some reflexive forms can also be reciprocal (the action is between people).

  • Ci vediamo domani. = We see each other tomorrow. / See you tomorrow.

Here ci does not mean “we see ourselves” (that would be strange in most contexts). It means each other.

Mini self-check: can you produce the form?

  • Start from the infinitive: vestirsi
  • Subject: noi
  • Pronoun for noi: ci
  • Verb form: vestiamo

Answer: Noi ci vestiamo.

What to pay attention to (quick checklist)

  • Don’t drop the pronoun: Io sveglio → Io mi sveglio
  • Match pronoun + subject: io→mi, tu→ti, noi→ci, voi→vi
  • Conjugate the verb normally: mi sveglio, ti svegli, si sveglia
  • Remember reciprocal meaning in context: Ci vediamo = “See you”
  1. Reflexive verbs end in -si in the infinitive.
  2. The reflexive pronoun is conjugated and goes in front of the verb.
Verbo Svegliarsi (The verb Svegliarsi)Verbo Vestirsi (The verb Vestirsi)
Io mi sveglioIo mi vesto
Tu ti svegliTu ti vesti
Lui/lei si svegliaLui/ lei si veste
Noi ci svegliamoNoi ci vestiamo
Voi vi svegliateVoi vi vestite
Loro si sveglianoLoro si vestono

Exceptions!

  1. Some reflexive verbs can have a reciprocal meaning. Example: "Ci vediamo domani!" (See you tomorrow!).

Exercise 1: Multiple choice

Instruction: Choose the correct answer

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1. Di solito io ___ alle sei per fare colazione con calma. Di solito io mi sveglio alle sei per fare colazione con calma.

Usually I ___ at six to have breakfast calmly.

2. Tu ___ in bagno e poi vai subito al lavoro, giusto? Tu ti vesti in bagno e poi vai subito al lavoro, giusto?

You ___ in the bathroom and then you go straight to work, right?

3. Noi ___ tardi la domenica e facciamo una lunga colazione. Noi ci svegliamo tardi la domenica e facciamo una lunga colazione.

We ___ late on Sundays and we have a long breakfast.

4. ___ domani alle otto: vi vestite prima di uscire per venire in ufficio? Ci vediamo domani alle otto: vi vestite prima di uscire per venire in ufficio?

___ tomorrow at eight: do you get dressed before going out to come to the office?

Exercise 2: Rewrite the phrases

Instruction: Rewrite the sentences using the reflexive verbs svegliarsi and vestirsi correctly in the present tense (mi/ti/si/ci/vi/si).

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  1. Io sveglio alle sette.
    ⇒ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________ Example
    Io mi sveglio alle sette.
    (I wake up at seven.)
  2. Tu vesti molto in fretta la mattina.
    ⇒ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________ Example
    Tu ti vesti molto in fretta la mattina.
    (You get dressed very quickly in the morning.)
  3. Marco sveglia sempre tardi nel weekend.
    ⇒ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________ Example
    Marco si sveglia sempre tardi nel weekend.
    (Marco always wakes up late on the weekend.)
  4. Noi vestiamo prima di fare colazione.
    ⇒ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________ Example
    Noi ci vestiamo prima di fare colazione.
    (We get dressed before having breakfast.)
  5. A che ora voi svegliate di solito?
    ⇒ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________ Example
    A che ora vi svegliate di solito?
    (What time do you usually wake up?)
  6. Domani noi vediamo in ufficio alle otto.
    ⇒ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________ Example
    Domani ci vediamo in ufficio alle otto.
    (Tomorrow we will see each other at the office at eight.)

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Fabio Pirioni

Bachelor in Humanities

University of Udine

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Last Updated:

Sunday, 27/09/2026 12:46