Reflexive Verbs in German: The Ultimate Guide

If you’re learning German and wondering what reflexive verbs are or how to use “sich” in sentences — this is the guide for you. Reflexive verbs in German are common, useful, and key to sounding natural. In this post, you’ll learn what they are, how to use them, and get plenty of real-world examples to practice with.

Table of Contents

What Are Reflexive Verbs in German?

A reflexive verb is a verb where the subject and the object are the same — in other words, you’re doing something to yourself. In German, this means the verb is used with a reflexive pronoun like “sich”.

Example:

• Ich wasche mich. → I wash myself.

Why Are Reflexive Verbs Important?

Reflexive verbs are everywhere in German. They’re used in daily routines, emotions, health, and more. Mastering them helps you:

• Sound more natural and fluent
• Follow proper grammar rules
• Understand native speakers better

How to Recognize Reflexive Verbs

You’ll often see reflexive verbs listed with “sich” in front of them in dictionaries or textbooks:

• sich freuen – to be happy
• sich erinnern – to remember
• sich waschen – to wash oneself

That “sich” is the reflexive marker.

Reflexive Pronouns in German

Here’s a quick table of reflexive pronouns you need to memorize:

🧠 How To Use Reflexive Verbs in German

Understanding how to use reflexive verbs in German will make your speech more natural and your writing more grammatically accurate. These verbs are essential when describing actions you perform on yourself—like getting ready, expressing feelings, or talking about routines.

Let’s break down exactly how to use reflexive verbs step by step.

✅ Step 1: Identify the Verb as Reflexive

A reflexive verb in German is typically written in its infinitive form with “sich” at the beginning. For example:

• sich freuen – to be glad
• sich setzen – to sit down
• sich waschen – to wash oneself

When you see “sich” in a dictionary entry, it means the verb is reflexive and needs a reflexive pronoun when used in a sentence.

✅ Step 2: Conjugate the Verb Normally

The verb itself is conjugated just like any regular or irregular verb in German. Here’s an example with the verb sich freuen (to be happy):

🧩 Notice how the reflexive pronoun changes based on the subject. That’s key!

✅ Step 3: Use the Correct Reflexive Pronoun

Reflexive pronouns are the heart of reflexive verbs. They match the subject of the sentence and are placed right after the verb in most standard sentences.

Here’s a quick guide:

📌 Example:

• Ich kämme mich. – I comb myself.
• Du setzt dich. – You sit down.

If there’s another object in the sentence, you may need the dative form instead. More on that below.

✅ Step 4: Choose Between Accusative and Dative

German reflexive pronouns can appear in the accusative or dative case. Most of the time, you’ll use the accusative. However, if the sentence has another direct object, the reflexive pronoun changes to the dative.

🔹 Accusative Reflexive (most common)

• Ich rasiere mich. – I shave myself.
• Sie freut sich. – She is happy.

🔹 Dative Reflexive (when another object exists)

• Ich wasche mir die Hände. – I wash my hands (literally: “I wash myself the hands”).
• Er zieht sich die Jacke an. – He puts on the jacket.

🎯 Rule of thumb: If there’s another object in the sentence, switch the reflexive pronoun to dative.

✅ Step 5: Position the Reflexive Pronoun Correctly

In German, word order matters—but it’s fairly straightforward with reflexive verbs.

Standard word order:

• Ich entspanne mich. – I relax.
• Du duschst dich. – You shower.

With modal verbs:

• Ich möchte mich entspannen. – I would like to relax.
• Wir müssen uns beeilen. – We must hurry.

In questions:

• Hast du dich verletzt? – Did you hurt yourself?

In perfect tense:

• Ich habe mich verspätet. – I was late.
• Sie hat sich gefreut. – She was happy.

🧠 Reflexive pronouns usually follow the conjugated verb, but in perfect and modal verb structures, they come after the auxiliary/modal and before the infinitive or past participle.

✅ Step 6: Practice with Real-Life Examples

Let’s look at a few examples that apply these rules.

1. Ich ziehe mich an.
   → I’m getting dressed.

2. Wir freuen uns auf den Urlaub.
   → We’re looking forward to the vacation.

3. Er erinnert sich nicht an den Namen.
   → He doesn’t remember the name.

4. Ich habe mir gestern das Knie verletzt.
   → I hurt my knee yesterday. (Dative usage with another object: das Knie)

5. Beeil dich! Wir sind spät dran.
   → Hurry up! We’re running late.

🔄 Try swapping out different pronouns and verbs to test yourself with reflexive constructions.

🧪 Pro Tip: Watch Out for English Differences

English and German don’t always use reflexive verbs the same way. Sometimes English uses a regular verb, while German needs a reflexive one.

Examples:

• English: He is getting dressed.
  German: Er zieht sich an.

• English: I’m relaxing.
  German: Ich entspanne mich.

On the flip side, some English reflexives don’t translate directly:

• English: She taught herself French.
  German: Sie hat sich selbst Französisch beigebracht. (More complex structure)

🧭 Summary: Using Reflexive Verbs Like a Native

To use reflexive verbs in German correctly:

1. Learn the verb with its “sich” form.
2. Conjugate the verb for the subject.
3. Match the reflexive pronoun to the subject.
4. Use accusative unless there’s another object (then use dative).
5. Keep an eye on sentence structure, especially with modals and perfect tense.

Reflexive verbs are incredibly common in German. Whether you’re brushing your teeth (sich die Zähne putzen), getting dressed (sich anziehen), or calming down (sich beruhigen), you’ll need them every day. So, keep practicing!

Common Reflexive Verbs in German

Here are 20 common reflexive verbs to add to your vocabulary:

Reflexive Verbs in Different Tenses

1. Present Tense

• Ich wasche mich. → I wash myself.

2. Perfect Tense (Present Perfect)

• Ich habe mich gewaschen. → I have washed myself.

3. Simple Past (Präteritum)

• Ich wusch mich. → I washed myself. (more common in writing)

4. Future Tense

• Ich werde mich waschen. → I will wash myself.

Accusative vs. Dative Reflexive Pronouns

Most reflexive verbs take the accusative, but some use the dative, especially when another object is present.

Accusative Example:

• Ich wasche mich. → I wash myself.

Dative Example:

• Ich wasche mir die Hände. → I wash my hands (to myself).

The second sentence includes an additional object (die Hände), which causes the reflexive pronoun to become dative.

Practical Tips for Mastering Reflexive Verbs

1. Learn them in chunks: Always learn reflexive verbs as a pair (e.g., “sich freuen”).

2. Practice with daily routines:

   • Ich dusche mich.
   • Ich ziehe mich an.

3. Write your own examples: Make personal sentences using your day.

4. Use language apps: Tools like Avatalks, Anki, or Duolingo can help reinforce them.

5. Listen to German content: Notice how reflexive verbs show up in speech.

6. Pay attention to sentence position: The reflexive pronoun usually comes directly after the verb.

Real-Life Examples from Different Levels

A1 Example:

• Ich setze mich. → I sit down.

A2 Example:

• Wir freuen uns auf das Wochenende. → We’re looking forward to the weekend.

B1 Example:

• Er interessiert sich für Kunst. → He is interested in art.

B2 Example:

• Ich habe mich über das Geschenk gefreut. → I was happy about the gift.

Conclusion

Understanding reflexive verbs in German is a big step toward speaking more naturally. They may seem confusing at first, but once you know the patterns and common phrases, they become second nature.

Start by memorizing the reflexive pronouns, then practice common verbs in real-life contexts. Pay attention to accusative vs. dative situations and always try to use them in complete sentences.