Reflexive pronouns (self-pronouns) and verbs (rückbezügliche Fürwörter und Verben)
We use a reflexive pronoun when the object is the same person or thing as the subject (Wir verwenden rückbezügliche Fürwörter, wenn das Objekt dieselbe Person oder Sache ist wie das Subjekt)
Singular: self Plural: selves
I myself you yourself
he/she/it himself / herself / itself
we ourselves you yourselves they themselves For example:
I make myself a cup of coffee every morning.
(Ich mache mir jeden Morgen einen Kaffe.)
Don’t worry about us. We can take care of ourselves.
(Sorge dich nicht um uns. Wir können auf uns selbst aufpassen.) NOTE! Some verbs are reflexive in German, but NOT in English!
(Bemerke! Einige Verben sind im Deutschen reflexive, aber nicht in Englisch) I’m looking forward to this evening. = Ich freue mich auf heute Abend.
She always complains at work. = Bei der Arbeit beklagt sie sich ständig.
Other verbs: apologize, argue, change, concentrate, feel, hide, hurry, imagine, meet, refer to, relax, remember, rely on, wonder, worry
There is a difference between ourselves and each other : (Es gibt einen Unterschied zwischen uns und einander (uns))
We got ourselves ready to go to the party. (to get yourself ready) (Wir machten uns fertig, um auf die Party zu gehen.)
We saw each other yesterday at the meeting. (to see each other)
(Wir sahen (einander) uns gestern auf dem Meeting/bei der Besprechung.)
4 Fill in the blanks with a reflexive pronoun if needed.
(Fülle die Lücken mit einem Reflexivpronomen, wenn nötig.) 1 He asked __________________ what he should do.
2 I wonder __________________ what time he’s picking me up.
3 My colleague apologised __________________ for not coming to the meeting.
4 Don’t blame __________________. It’s not your fault!
5 The dog hurt __________________ last week when it ran across the street.
6 I often worry __________________ about losing my job.
7 The secretary can’t help us. We’ll just have to find out about it __________________.
5 Correct the mistakes!
1 Will we see us again soon?
2 I must remember me to pick up my business partner at the airport.
3 Allie and Sandro love themselves.
4 How do you feel yourself?
