6.1 Lektion 6 Traditionen und Spezialitäten STRUKTUREN © and ® 2012 Vista Higher Learning, Inc. 6.1-1 Reflexive verbs and accusative reflexive pronouns

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Lektion 6 Traditionen und SpezialitätenSTRUKTUREN

© and ® 2012 Vista Higher Learning, Inc. 6.1-1

Reflexive verbs and accusative reflexive pronouns

—Ihr bedankt euch jetzt beim Weihnachtsmann!

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• Reflexive verbs are verbs whose actions reflect back to the subject of the sentence. The object of the verb is the subject itself. English uses the words self or selves to express this idea. German uses pronouns called reflexive pronouns.

Er bereitet sich auf das Examen vor.He prepares (himself) for the exam.

Die Kinder waschen sich, ehe sie zum Essen gehen.The children wash (themselves) before going to dinner.

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• Reflexive verbs are conjugated like other verbs. In a simple sentence, the reflexive pronoun is placed directly after the conjugated verb. In dependent clauses, the reflexive pronoun comes directly after the subject of the sentence. Reflexive verbs use the auxiliary haben in the perfect tense.

Ich entschied mich für selbst gemachte Spätzle.I decided on the homemade noodles.

Sie fragte mich, wofür ich mich entschieden habe.She asked me what I decided on.

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• The accusative reflexive pronoun for the third person (singular and plural) and the formal Sie is sich. All the other accusative reflexive pronouns are the same as the accusative personal pronouns.

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Pronouns in the accusative

Accusative personal pronouns

Accusative reflexive pronouns

mich mich (myself)dich dich (yourself)ihn sich (himself)sie sich (herself)es sich (itself)uns uns (ourselves)

euch euch (yourselves)

sie/Sie sich (themselves)

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• Reflexive verbs can be grouped into various categories. Verbs having to do with one’s daily routine are often reflexive in German, and not in English.

Er duscht sich.He’s taking a shower.

Sie schminkt sich.She’s putting on makeup.

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• Some verbs can be used either reflexively or non-reflexively, without changing the basic meaning of the verb. Reflexive verbs are more common in German than they are in English. When any verb is used reflexively, the reflexive pronoun must be used.

Die Frau badet das Kind.The woman bathes the child.

Die Frau badet sich.The woman bathes (herself).

(sich) ausruhen (sich) duschen (sich) schminken(sich) baden (sich) kämmen (sich) waschen

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ACHTUNG!Note that many verbs are reflexive in German, but not in English. Here are some examples.

sich beeilen to hurrysich benehmen to behavesich entschuldigen to apologizesich erholen to recuperatesich erkälten to catch a coldsich hinlegen to lie downsich langweilen to be boredsich setzen to sit downsich überlegen to think aboutsich umsehen to look aroundsich umziehen to change (one’s) clothessich verspäten to be late

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• Reflexive verbs and pronouns are also used to show a reciprocal relationship. In English, this relationship is expressed by the phrase each other. Here are some reciprocal reflexive verbs.

sich unterhalten to have a conversationsich treffen to meetsich (gut) verstehen to get along well; to understand each otherWir treffen uns vor dem Kino.We will meet (each other) in front of the movie theater.

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• Some prepositional verb phrases include reflexive verbs. Here, too, the English equivalent is not always reflexive. All the prepositions take the accusative.

Wir informieren uns über die Preise im Restaurant.We inform ourselves about the prices at the restaurant.

Der Kellner kümmert sich um seinen Gast.The waiter takes care of his guest.

sich ärgern über to get annoyed about sich interessieren für to be interested in

sich erinnern an to remember sich kümmern um to take care of (someone)

sich freuen über to be happy about sich sehnen nach to long for

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• In some cases, the meaning of the verb changes when it is used reflexively.

Der Karneval verläuft in diesem Jahr sehr gut.Carnival is running well this year.

Ich habe mich in der Großstadt verlaufen.I got lost in the big city.

verlaufen to run sich verlaufen to get lost

versprechen to promise sich versprechen to misspeak

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• Reflexive pronouns can also be used with prepositions to express the idea of oneself.

Er interessiert sich nur für sich.He is only interested in himself.

Ich kann mich nur auf mich verlassen.I can only depend on myself.

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ACHTUNG!

Reflexive pronouns are also found in impersonal phrases such as sich verkaufen, sich lesen.

Die warmen Semmeln verkaufen sich gut.The warm rolls sell easily.

Das Buch über Traditionen liest sich leicht.The book about traditions is easy to read.

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6.1 Lektion 6 Traditionen und Spezialitäten STRUKTUREN © and ® 2012 Vista Higher Learning, Inc. 6.1-1 Reflexive verbs and accusative reflexive pronouns