Reflexive pronouns (zich)

Reflexive Verbs

In Dutch, some verbs are reflexive (wederkerend). This means the action of the verb reflects back onto the subject. Just like in English (e.g., "I wash myself"), you need a reflexive pronoun to show who is receiving the action.

However, Dutch uses reflexive verbs much more often than English, especially for verbs describing behavior, reactions, and mental states.

The Reflexive Pronouns

Here is the full set of reflexive pronouns you need to know:

Notice that u, hij/zij/het, and the plural zij all share the same reflexive pronoun: zich. Also note that jullie uses je.

Word Order

In a standard main clause, the reflexive pronoun is placed immediately after the conjugated verb.

If the reflexive verb is separable (like zich voorstellen), the prefix still moves to the end of the sentence.

If you use a helping verb (like zullen or moeten), the reflexive pronoun stays close to the conjugated helping verb, while the reflexive infinitive moves to the very end.

Using "zich" and "je"

The pronoun zich is used for all third-person subjects (he, she, it, they) as well as the formal u.

For both the singular jij and the plural jullie, the reflexive pronoun is je. If the sentence is a question, the subject and verb invert as usual, and the reflexive pronoun directly follows the subject.

Dutch vs. English Reflexives

Many verbs in this lesson describe personal conduct or mental states. While they are strictly reflexive in Dutch, they often translate to normal, non-reflexive actions or states in English (like "to be bored", "to enjoy oneself", or "to apologize").

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