A reflexive verb refers back to the subject who is performing the action. Following are some examples of reflexive verbs in English.
In the above examples, the reflexive meaning of the verb is expressed with the use of myself, himself, and themselves. Sometimes, in English, the reflexive meaning is not explicit, but it is understood.
There are many verbs in Italian which are intrinsically reflexive, meaning that they clearly refer back to the subject as they are performed to the subject’s own body (lavarsi, “to wash oneself,” for example). There are other verbs in Italian, however, which have a reflexive form, but which are not intrinsically reflexive (laurearsi, “t
| He hurt himself playing tennis. The children enjoy themselves when we go to the zoo. I consider myself somewhat intelligent. |
In the above examples, the reflexive meaning of the verb is expressed with the use of myself, himself, and themselves. Sometimes, in English, the reflexive meaning is not explicit, but it is understood.
| Her husband shaves (himself) every morning. I dress (myself) very quickly. |
There are many verbs in Italian which are intrinsically reflexive, meaning that they clearly refer back to the subject as they are performed to the subject’s own body (lavarsi, “to wash oneself,” for example). There are other verbs in Italian, however, which have a reflexive form, but which are not intrinsically reflexive (laurearsi, “t