Italiano III – Reflexive Verbs A reflexive verb is an action that reflects on the person who is performing the action. In English, you recognize a reflexive verb quite easily, mostly by the use of myself, yourself, etc or get + past participle or use of possessives. For example: I enjoy myself at your parties. She gets washed every morning. They are combing their hair. Roberta Pennasilico, Naples HS

Reflexive verbs also indicate reciprocal actions, mostly indicated by the use of each other and/or one another. Ex. They call each other every night. = Si chiamano ogni sera. Reflexives as Reciprocal verbs. Roberta Pennasilico, Naples HS

How do you recognize a reflexive verb in Italian? They end with –RSI. Some examples: alzarsi = to get up, vestirsi = to get dressed, pettinarsi = to comb ones hair, etc. Roberta Pennasilico, Naples HS

How do they work? Situation 1 – simple present For ex., you need to say, I wake up at 6:30 every morning. [habitual action = present tense] Step ONE: take the verb to wake up = svegliarsi Step TWO: forget about the ending –arsi for a moment, and focus on the root svegli- Step THREE: add the right verb form for the present tense: Svegli- + -O = SVEGLIO (the ending for the I person) Step FOUR: Add the small word that refers to myself = MI The result is: MI SVEGLIO = I wake up These 4 steps will become automatic as you practice!! Roberta Pennasilico, Naples HS According to the person youre talking about, you need to add: MI (myself), TI (yourself), SI (him/herself), CI (ourselves), VI (yourselves), SI (themselves)

A reflexive verb might follow a modal: I want to wake up early. In this case, you have 2 verbs in a row (in red and in blue) Step ONE: change the first verb in the right present form: I want = VOGLIO Step TWO = take the second verb in its infinitive form : to wake up = alzarsi and ONLY change the final -si into the word for myself = -mi The result is VOGLIO SVEGLIARMI The alternative is: MI voglio SVEGLIARE How do they work? Situation 2 – present + modal (must, can, want) Roberta Pennasilico, Naples HS

Is this clear? Now you practice (the reflexive verbs are indicated in parentheses) She never has any fun! (divertirsi) Lei non si diverte mai! Parents always worry (preoccuparsi) I genitori si preoccupano sempre. They always hug! (abbracciarsi) Si abbracciano sempre! He forgets about homework (dimenticarsi di) Lui si dimentica dei compiti. Roberta Pennasilico, Naples HS

My parents love each other a lot (amarsi) I miei genitori si amano molto. We take a shower every night. (farsi) Ci facciamo una doccia ogni sera. She puts too much make up on. (truccarsi) Lei si trucca troppo. My teacher complains a lot (lamentarsi) La mia professoressa si lamenta molto. They get bored in class. (annoiarsi) Si annoiano in classe. I get changed before the party. (cambiarsi) Mi cambio prima della festa. Roberta Pennasilico, Naples HS

Now watch out! Modals + reflexives I want to get changed here. (cambiarsi) Voglio cambiarmi qui. She can take a shower now. (farsi) Lei puo farsi una doccia ora. They cannot kiss at school! (baciarsi) Non possono baciarsi a scuola! You cant get mad at him. (arrabbiarsi con) Non puoi arrabbiarti con lui. Roberta Pennasilico, Naples HS

You must try hard at school (impegnarsi) Devi impegnarti a scuola. I want to get married soon. (sposarsi) Voglio sposarmi presto. You cannot behave badly here. (comportarsi) Non puoi comportarti male qui. She must get used to this food. (abituarsi a) Lei deve abituarsi a questo cibo. They cant get bored here! (annoiarsi) Non possono annoiarsi qui! I want to dress up as a cow-boy! (vestirsi da) Voglio vestirmi da cow-boy! Roberta Pennasilico, Naples HS

Good Job!! Bravi!!! Roberta Pennasilico, Naples HS