Self: se and sebe
Se is the short word that goes with a reflexive verb. Sebe is a full word that means myself, yourself or himself.
How It Works
Some verbs are always used with se: zvati se (to be called), prati se (to wash oneself), smijati se (to laugh). The action goes back to the person doing it. It is the same for every person: perem se, pereš se, pere se.
Se is a short word that leans on the word before it. It can never stand first, so use Zovem se Lejla and not "Se zovem Lejla" in a plain sentence.
The full word is sebe, with its own endings:
| Case | Form |
|---|---|
| accusative | sebe |
| dative | sebi |
| instrumental | sobom |
It is used after prepositions (za sebe, kod sebe) or when you stress the person: Vidim sebe u ogledalu. Sebi works as "for oneself": Kupujem sebi torbu.
One word stands for all persons. You use sebe for I, you, he or we, and the subject shows who it is.
Examples (4)
- Zovem se Lejla.
My name is Lejla.
Se stays after the verb.
- Amir se brije svako jutro.
Amir shaves every morning.
Se comes right after the subject here.
- Ona kupuje sebi novu torbu.
She is buying herself a new bag.
Sebi is the dative of sebe.
- Vidim sebe u ogledalu.
I see myself in the mirror.
Sebe is the stressed form of myself.
Common Mistakes
Dropping se from a reflexive verb.
Ja zovem Lejla.Zovem se Lejla.Zvati se needs se to mean be called.
Starting the sentence with se.
Se zovem Lejla.Zovem se Lejla.Se is a short word and needs a word before it.
How It Connects
Learn This First
Reflexive pronouns refer back.
Related Patterns
Words in This Pattern
Practice Self: se and sebe in Bubblegum
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