A2 Dutch GrammarReflexive Pronouns
Use Dutch reflexive pronouns zich, me, je with reflexive verbs like zich wassen, zich voelen, and zich vergissen.
1Reflexive Pronouns
Reflexive pronouns refer back to the subject. Use 'zich' for hij/zij/het/u and plural.
Reflexive Forms
| Subject | Reflexive | English |
|---|---|---|
| ik | me/mij | myself |
| jij/je | je/jou | yourself |
| hij/zij/het | zich | himself/herself/itself |
| u | zich/u | yourself (formal) |
| wij/we | ons | ourselves |
| jullie | je/jullie | yourselves |
| zij/ze | zich | themselves |
Examples
Ik was me elke ochtend.
I wash myself every morning.
me for ik
Hij scheert zich.
He shaves himself.
zich for hij
Wij vermaken ons goed.
We are enjoying ourselves.
ons for wij
Zij herinnert zich niets.
She remembers nothing.
zich for zij
2Common Reflexive Verbs
Many Dutch verbs are reflexive that aren't in English.
Reflexive Verbs
| Dutch | English | Example |
|---|---|---|
| zich wassen | to wash (oneself) | Ik was me |
| zich aankleden | to get dressed | Zij kleedt zich aan |
| zich voelen | to feel | Ik voel me goed |
| zich vergissen | to be mistaken | Hij vergist zich |
| zich herinneren | to remember | Ik herinner me |
| zich gedragen | to behave | Gedraag je! |
Examples
Ik voel me ziek.
I feel sick.
zich voelen
Hij kleedt zich snel aan.
He gets dressed quickly.
separable: zich aankleden
Zij vergist zich.
She is mistaken.
zich vergissen
Gedraag je!
Behave yourself!
imperative
3Reciprocal Elkaar
'Elkaar' means 'each other'. Used when two or more people do something to one another.
Elkaar vs Zich
| Dutch | English | Use |
|---|---|---|
| Zij wassen zich | They wash themselves | reflexive |
| Zij wassen elkaar | They wash each other | reciprocal |
| Wij zien elkaar | We see each other | reciprocal |
Examples
Wij zien elkaar elke dag.
We see each other every day.
elkaar for reciprocal
Zij helpen elkaar.
They help each other.
mutual action
Wij kennen elkaar al jaren.
We have known each other for years.
mutual relationship
Zij schrijven elkaar brieven.
They write letters to each other.
exchange
4Position in Sentence
The reflexive pronoun usually follows the verb. In subordinate clauses, it follows the subject.
Pronoun Position
| Clause Type | Example |
|---|---|
| Main | Ik voel me goed. |
| Question | Voel je je goed? |
| Subordinate | ...dat ik me goed voel |
Examples
Hij wast zich.
He washes himself.
after verb
Wast hij zich?
Does he wash himself?
after subject in question
...omdat hij zich wast.
...because he washes himself.
after subject in subcl.
Ik denk dat zij zich vergist.
I think she is mistaken.
subordinate clause