Lesson 30 ª

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

Reflexive verbs (cont)

The true reflexive verbs

It is necessary to distinguish between the authentic reflexive verbs and those that have a reflexive variant.

Authentic reflexive verbs can only be used when accompanied by its corresponding reflexive pronoun:

sich verlieben / sich beeilen / sich erholen / sich verlaufen / sich ereignen ...

Verbs with a reflexive variant

These verbs have a normal form and a reflexive form. Both forms have a different meaning.

sich ärgern / ser molestado

ärgern / fastidiar

sich verlassen auf / fiarse de, contar con

verlassen / dejar

Ich verlasse mich auf euch.
I'm counting on you.
Sie hat ihren Mann verlassen.
She has left her husband.

Normal verbs that can be used with a reflexive meaning

Many verbs can be used in a reflexive way. The meaning of these verbs changes. In these sentences, the reflexive pronoun is usually the object:

waschen / vorstellen / widersprechen / kaufen / waschen ...

Ich wasche mich.
I wash myself.
-
Ich wasche meine Kleider.
I wash the clothes.
-
Ich kaufe mir ein Auto.
I buy myself a car
-
Ich kaufe das Haus.
I buy the house

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Exercises

Translate the following sentences

(Click on the box to see the answers; double click to return to the original position)