How do 'reflexive verbs' work?

In Italian, if there is a reflexive verb, the action carried out by the subject of the sentence is performed on the subject itself. For example, if we say "Mi guardo allo specchio", which means "I am looking at myself in the mirror/I look at myself in the mirror", the reflexive verb is "mi guardo", from the verb "guardarsi". "I", which is the subject of the sentence, is performing an action ("looking") on/at itself, by using a mirror. Not all verbs in Italian can be reflexive; if they are, in order to make them act as a reflexive verb, a reflexive pronoun is needed. Looking at the example above, "guardare" is the present infinitive version of that verb, but if we drop the "-e" ending and add the "-si" pronoun, the verb will become reflexive, "guardarsi". "Mi", in the example above, is the conjugated version of the reflexive pronoun.

Answered by Cecilia C. Italian tutor

2625 Views

See similar Italian GCSE tutors

Related Italian GCSE answers

All answers ▸

when do you use the conditional tense?


What is the difference between the imperfect and perfect past.


Translate this passage into English:


How to use the conditional tense


We're here to help

contact us iconContact usWhatsapp logoMessage us on Whatsapptelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

© MyTutorWeb Ltd 2013–2025

Terms & Conditions|Privacy Policy
Cookie Preferences