Reflexive Pronouns

Level 2

Dutch uses reflexive pronouns (like me, je, zich) to show that an action is performed on oneself. They are much more common in Dutch than in English.

How It Works

Reflexive pronouns (wederkerende voornaamwoorden) are used when the subject and the object are the same entity. In Dutch, many verbs are obligatorily reflexive, meaning they must always have a reflexive pronoun even if the English translation doesn't use one.

1. The Forms
While some forms overlap with object pronouns (like me, je, and ons), reflexive pronouns have distinct forms for the third person and the second person plural:

  • Ik → me (I → myself)
  • Jij → je (You → yourself)
  • U → u or zich (You formal → yourself)
  • Hij/Zij/Het → zich (He/She/It → himself/herself/itself)
  • Wij → ons (We → ourselves)
  • Jullie → je (You all → yourselves)
  • Zij → zich (They → themselves)

2. Word Order
Reflexive pronouns usually follow the finite verb in a main clause. However, their position changes based on sentence structure:

  • Main Clause: Ik herinner me dat. (The pronoun follows the verb).
  • Inversion: Gisteren herinnerde ik me dat. (If the subject follows the verb, the pronoun follows the subject).
  • Subordinate Clause: ...omdat hij zich verveelt. (In a subordinate clause, the pronoun follows the subject, and the verb goes to the end).

3. Zich vs. Zichzelf
Use the plain form (zich, me, je) for verbs that are always reflexive (like zich schamen - to be ashamed). You must add -zelf (e.g., zichzelf) for emphasis or to provide necessary clarity when using verbs that are not normally reflexive (like zien or horen), to show the action is directed back at the subject.

Examples (6)

  1. Ik was me elke ochtend.

    I wash myself every morning.

    Word by Word: I wash me every morning.

    Here, 'me' is the reflexive pronoun for 'ik'. It shows the action of washing is done to the speaker.

  2. Gisteren herinnerde ik me die dag.

    Yesterday I remembered that day.

    Word by Word: Yesterday remembered I me that day.

    In sentences with inversion, the reflexive pronoun follows the subject.

  3. Ik denk dat hij zich verveelt.

    I think that he is bored.

    Word by Word: I think that he himself bores.

    In a subordinate clause, the reflexive pronoun follows the subject, while the verb moves to the end.

  4. Wij haasten ons naar de trein.

    We are hurrying to the train.

    Word by Word: We hurry us to the train.

    For 'wij', the reflexive pronoun is 'ons'.

  5. U vergist zich, meneer.

    You are mistaken, sir.

    Word by Word: You mistake yourself, sir.

    In formal speech with 'u', 'zich' is the most common reflexive pronoun used to avoid repeating the 'u' sound.

  6. Jullie moeten je goed voorbereiden.

    You all must prepare yourselves well.

    Word by Word: You must you well prepare.

    For the plural 'jullie', the reflexive pronoun is 'je'.

Common Mistakes

  • Using personal object pronouns (hem/haar) instead of 'zich'.

    Different MeaningHij wast hem.
    Hij wast zich.

    'Hij wast hem' means he is washing someone else (another male). To say he is washing himself, you must use 'zich'.

  • Omitting the reflexive pronoun with verbs that require it.

    Ik voel goed.
    Ik voel me goed.

    In Dutch, the verb 'voelen' (to feel) requires a reflexive pronoun when describing one's own state.

  • Overusing '-zelf' for routine actions.

    Ik vergis mezelf.
    Ik vergis me.

    Inherent reflexive verbs like 'zich vergissen' (to be mistaken) almost never take the '-zelf' suffix unless there is extreme contrast.

How It Connects

Tap a pattern to see what it builds on and what it leads to.

Reflexive PronounsLevel 2

Learn This First

To use reflexive pronouns, you must first understand subject pronouns because the choice of reflexive pronoun (me, je, zich, etc.) depends entirely on who the subject is. Additionally, since these pronouns are used with verbs, a basic grasp of verb conjugation is necessary to construct sentences like 'Ik was me'.

Learn Next

Patterns that build on this one.

Words in This Pattern

zichmemijons