Languages › Italian Using Italian Reflexive Pronouns Share Flipboard Email Print Imperia Staffieri/Getty Images Italian Grammar History & Culture Vocabulary By Michael San Filippo Michael San Filippo Italian Expert M.A., Italian Studies, Middlebury College B.A., Biology, Northeastern University Michael San Filippo co-wrote The Complete Idiot's Guide to Italian History and Culture. He is a tutor of Italian language and culture. Learn about our Editorial Process Updated on March 22, 2019 In a reflexive sentence the action of the verb reverts to the subject, as in the following examples: I wash myself. They enjoy themselves. In reflexive sentences, Italian verbs, like English verbs, are conjugated with reflexive pronouns. Reflexive pronouns (i pronomi riflessivi) are identical in form to direct object pronouns, except for the third person form si (the third person singular and plural form). SINGULAR PLURAL mi myself ci ourselves ti yourself vi yourselves si himself, herself, itself, yourself (formal) si themselves, yourselves (formal) Just like direct object pronouns, reflexive pronouns are placed before a conjugated verb or attached to the infinitive. If the infinitive is preceded by a form of dovere, potere, or volere, the reflexive pronoun is either attached to the infinitive (which drops its final –e) or placed before the conjugated verb. Note that the reflexive pronoun agrees with the subject even when attached to the infinitive. Mi alzo. (I’m getting up.)Voglio alzarmi. Mi voglio alzare. (I want to get up.) Mi, ti, si, and vi may drop the i before another vowel or an h and replace it with an apostrophe. Ci may drop the i only before an i or e. Si lava tutti i giorni. (He washes himself every day.)Ci divertiamo molto qui. (We enjoy ourselves a lot here.)A casa, m’annoio. (At home, I get bored.) Cite this Article Format mla apa chicago Your Citation Filippo, Michael San. "Using Italian Reflexive Pronouns." ThoughtCo, Aug. 28, 2020, thoughtco.com/italian-reflexive-pronouns-4097063. Filippo, Michael San. (2020, August 28). Using Italian Reflexive Pronouns. Retrieved from https://www.thoughtco.com/italian-reflexive-pronouns-4097063 Filippo, Michael San. "Using Italian Reflexive Pronouns." ThoughtCo. https://www.thoughtco.com/italian-reflexive-pronouns-4097063 (accessed April 2, 2023). copy citation Featured Video By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Cookies Settings Accept All Cookies