Grammar Slides kapitel 15

Reflexive Verbs and Pronouns (textbook page 160) The action of a reflexive verb is something the subject is doing to or for itself. The subject and the object of the sentence indicate one and the same person or thing, and a reflexive pronoun is used for the object. In English the reflexive pronoun is expressed by attaching -self to a singular object pronoun or -selves to a plural one. The reflexive pronouns in German are similar to the regular accusative and dative pronouns, except in the third person singular and plural:

Reflexive Verbs and Pronouns (textbook page 160-161) In dictionaries, reflexive verbs are indicated by one of the following abbreviations: s. - sich - refl., or v.r. In vocabulary lists in this book, you’ll find reflexive infinitives with sich, e.g. sich amüsieren to amuse (oneself ); sich setzen to sit down; sich waschen to wash (oneself ). When a plural or compound subject occurs reflexively, the best translation may be each other or one another.

Meanings of Reflexive Verbs: Actions (textbook page 161) The reflexive occurs for many more verbs in German than in English. Some German verbs are always reflexive, but many can be either reflexive or not. Often, the meaning of the reflexive form is quite different from the non-reflexive form. In German verbs that express individual, personal activities one does to oneself or decisions one makes for oneself are reflexive. Note how often the expression -self is lacking in the English equivalents of the German reflexive actions. For actions involving one’s own body or clothing, English uses a possessive adjective (my, her, his) where the German generally uses a reflexive construction to indicate that the involved action is being done to oneself: Sie zieht sich den Mantel an. (She’s putting her coat on.)

Meanings of Reflexive Verbs: Common verbs sich ärgen to get angry sich befinden to be located, find oneself (somewhere); to feel sich bemühen To make an effort sich benehmen To behave sich beschäftigen mit To work on; be concerned with sich bewegen To move sich drehen um To be a matter of; revolve around sich entscheiden To decide, make up one’s mind (textbook page 162) Numerous German verbs must have reflexive pronouns to complete their meaning. The English equivalents generally do not have reflexive pronouns.

Meanings of Reflexive Verbs: Common verbs sich erinnern an (+ acc) to remember, recall sich freuen auf (+ acc) to look forward to sich freuen über (+ acc) to be glad about sich gewöhnen an (+ acc) to get used to sich handeln um to be a matter of sich interessieren für to be interested in sich überlegen to consider, think about (something) sich verlassen auf (+ acc) to rely on sich (acc.) vorstellen to introduce oneself sich (dat.) vorstellen to imagine (textbook page 162) Numerous German verbs must have reflexive pronouns to complete their meaning. The English equivalents generally do not have reflexive pronouns.

reflexive Verbs as Passive Substitute (textbook page 162) Reflexive constructions are also used sometimes as substitutes for the passive. It is quite common in German for an inanimate noun to be the subject of a reflexive verb. Attempts to translate these combinations literally into English are often awkward. Instead, use some form of passive construction or perhaps to get + verb.

Position of the Reflexive Pronoun in Main Clauses (textbook page 163) In main clauses, the reflexive pronoun usually follows right after the conjugated verb.

Position of the Reflexive Pronoun in Main Clauses (textbook page 163) In compound tenses, the reflexive pronoun follows the auxiliary while the main verb stands at the end of the clause.

Position of the Reflexive Pronoun in Main Clauses (textbook page 163) This word order also holds true for questions, unless the subject is a pronoun.

Meanings of lassen (textbook page 163-164) The verb lassen (ließ, gelassen; lässt) has a variety of uses, mostly in connection with other verbs, and can be translated as to let, allow, leave; to cause or arrange for something.

Sich lassen (without object) (textbook page 164) This active construction, with an inanimate object or idea as a subject, acts as a substitute for the passive voice with können and means can, could, or is able to.

Sich lassen (with object) (textbook page 164) Used with an object, sich lassen means to cause, have (something) done (by someone for oneself). In the final example above you see an example of a double infinitive: bauen lassen. See Kapitel 17.1 to learn more about double infinitives.