Reflexive Accusative and Dative

Reflexive Accusative and Dative

By Emily Massey

Reflexive Verbs in German

In German, reflexive verbs are usually identified by the reflexive pronoun "sich"

sich means oneself in English and will come before the infinitive verb.

Some text here about the topic of discussion

When the reflexive pronoun is used as a direct object it appears in the accusative case.

​

Accusative Reflexive

The reflexive pronoun refers to a person who is both the subject and the object of the sentence.

​

Multiple Choice

What does the reflexive pronoun sich mean in English?

• I don't know

• oneself

• your

• our

The Accusative Reflexive Pronouns are in the middle!

​

Contrary to English, many verbs in German are always used with the reflexive pronoun and are therefore considered "reflexive verbs".

Not all verbs that are reflexive in German are reflexive in English!

Du sllst dich im Badezimmer waschen.

Wo soll ich mich waschen?

Ich wasche mich um 8 Uhr morgens.

Wann wäscht du dich?​

sich waschen

Some text here about the topic of discussion

Multiple Choice

Translate: I bathe at 6 a.m.

• Ich bade um 6 Uhr.

• Mich bade ich um 6 Uhr.

• Ich bade mich um 6 Uhr.

• Mich bade um 6 Uhr.

Note:

• the verb is always conjugated to the subject pronoun

• the reflexive pronoun follows the verb (or the subject if the subject is not first)

• if you are not being specific use the accusative (eg. I shower - ich dusche mich)

• if you are being more specific use the dative (eg. I was my hair. - Ich wasche mir die Haare.) ​

Subject | Subject

Some text here about the topic of discussion

The Dative Reflexive Pronouns on on the right.

​

Multiple Choice

Translate the sentence: I shower.

• Ich dusche mich.

• Ich dusche mir.

• Ich dusche.

• Mich dusche ich.

Multiple Choice

Translate the sentence: I comb my hair.

• Ich kämme mich meine Haare.

• Ich kämme meine Haare.

• Ich kämme mir die Haare.

• Ich kämme Haare.

Multiple Choice

Which of the following sentences is correct?

• Ich wasche mir die Hände.

• Ich föhne mich die Haare.

• Ich föhne mir.

• Ich dusche mir im Badezimmer.

Multiple Choice

Accusative or Dative?

Mark und Sonja ziehen sich einen Mantel an, weil es sehr kalt ist.

• Accusative

• Dative

Multiple Choice

Accusative or Dative?

Christof rasiert sich jeden Morgen.

• Accusative

• Dative

Multiple Choice

Accusative or Dative?

Ich lege mich ins Bett.

• Accusative

• Dative

Multiple Choice

Accusative or Dative?

Ich putze mir die Zähne zweimal am Tag.

• Accusative

• Dative

Open Ended

What questions do you still have regarding Reflexive Verbs in German, if any?