Practice: Reflexive Verbs

Every subject pronoun has a matching reflexive pronoun. The short form (me, je, zich, ons) is used in everyday speech; the long form (mezelf, jezelf, zichzelf…) adds emphasis — "myself", "yourself", etc.

These verbs are always reflexive — they cannot be used without a reflexive pronoun. Many relate to personal appearance, feelings, or reactions typical of thema 8.

Some verbs can be used with or without a reflexive pronoun. With the pronoun the action is directed at the subject; without it the action is directed at someone or something else. In a main clause the reflexive pronoun comes directly after the conjugated verb; in a subordinate clause it shifts to before the verb cluster.