zich / zichzelf

Zich or Zichzelf?

Level 3

Dutch distinguishes between a weak reflexive pronoun (zich) and a strong, emphatic one (zichzelf). While both mean 'himself/herself/themselves', the choice depends on whether the action is routine or requires special focus.

How It Works

In Dutch, reflexive pronouns have both weak and strong forms. While 'zich' is the most common 3rd-person form, 'zichzelf' is used for emphasis or specific grammatical contexts. This distinction applies across the entire paradigm:

The Reflexive Paradigm:
• 1st Person: me/ons (weak) vs. mezelf/onszelf (strong)
• 2nd Person Singular: je/u (weak) vs. jezelf/uzelf (strong)
• 2nd Person Plural: je (standard weak) vs. julliezelf (strong)
• 3rd Person: zich (weak) vs. zichzelf (strong)

Note: For the plural jullie, the standard weak reflexive is je (e.g., 'Hebben jullie je al gewassen?'); using 'jullie' as a reflexive is less common. For the formal u, while 'u' is possible, zich is the preferred weak form in modern Dutch (e.g., 'U wast zich').

1. Inherently Reflexive Verbs: Verbs like zich vergissen (to be mistaken) or zich schamen (to be ashamed) are obligatory reflexive. In these cases, the strong form -zelf is normally wrong. One exception is the fixed idiom buiten zichzelf zijn (to be beside oneself).

2. Non-Reflexive Verbs: Verbs that are not inherently reflexive (e.g., kennen, haten, bewonderen) must use the strong form -zelf when the action is directed at the subject (e.g., 'Ik ken mezelf'). Using the weak form here is often incorrect or changes the meaning.

3. Transitive Verbs:

  • Grooming Verbs: For routine actions (e.g., wassen, scheren), use zich. Use zichzelf only for contrast ('He washes himself, not the baby').
  • Perception Verbs: For verbs like zien (to see) or horen (to hear), use zichzelf for physical reflection (seeing yourself in a mirror) and zich for abstract or figurative situations.

4. Special Constructions:

  • Causative 'Laten': In zich laten + infinitive constructions, you normally use the weak form zich (e.g., 'Hij laat zich knippen').
  • Prepositions: Use zich for locative prepositions (space/direction), such as naast zich (beside him), but zichzelf for prepositional objects, such as over zichzelf (about himself).

5. Predicate Use: If the pronoun follows a linking verb to describe a state (e.g., 'He is not himself today'), the strong form zichzelf is mandatory.

Examples (6)

  1. Hij wast zich elke ochtend.

    He washes himself every morning.

    Word by Word: He washes himself every morning.

    For 'grooming' verbs like 'wassen' (to wash), the weak form 'zich' is the neutral, routine choice.

  2. Ik ken mezelf heel goed.

    I know myself very well.

    Word by Word: I know myself very well.

    For verbs that are not inherently reflexive, like 'kennen' (to know), the strong form '-zelf' is required to indicate a reflexive action.

  3. U wast zich met koud water.

    You wash yourself with cold water.

    Word by Word: You wash yourself with cold water.

    For the formal 'u', 'zich' is the preferred weak form in modern Dutch to avoid the repetitive 'u u' sound.

  4. Hij ziet zichzelf in de spiegel.

    He sees himself in the mirror.

    Word by Word: He sees himself in the mirror.

    For physical reflection with perception verbs like 'zien', the strong form 'zichzelf' is used.

  5. Hij vergist zich in de datum.

    He is mistaken about the date.

    Word by Word: He mistakes himself in the date.

    'Zich vergissen' is an inherently reflexive verb; it almost always takes 'zich'.

  6. Zij praat vaak tegen zichzelf.

    She often talks to herself.

    Word by Word: She talks often against herself.

    After a non-locative preposition like 'tegen', the strong form 'zichzelf' is required.

Common Mistakes

  • Using 'zichzelf' with standard inherently reflexive verbs.

    Hij schaamt zichzelf voor zijn fout.
    Hij schaamt zich voor zijn fout.

    Verbs like 'zich schamen' (to be ashamed) are inherently reflexive. Unless you are using a specific fixed idiom, adding '-zelf' is generally incorrect and redundant.

  • Using 'zich' for a prepositional object.

    Hij is trots op zich.
    Hij is trots op zichzelf.

    When the pronoun is the object of a preposition (unless it's about physical location), you must use the emphatic 'zichzelf'.

  • Using the weak form for non-reflexive verbs.

    Ik haat me.
    Ik haat mezelf.

    Verbs that are not naturally reflexive (like 'haten' - to hate) require the strong form '-zelf' to show the action is directed back at the subject.

Words in This Pattern

zichzichzelf