Reflexive -si- After a Prefix
A reflexive verb has its -si at the end: keliuosi (I get up). Once a prefix or ne- is added, -si- moves forward, right after that piece: atsikeliu (I get up), nesijaudink (don't worry).
How It Works
Where -si goes
- No prefix: at the end. Prausiuosi, keliuosi, mokausi. See Reflexive Verbs in -si.
- With a prefix: prefix + si + verb. Nusiprausiu (I will wash), atsikeliu (I get up), susitikome (we met), pasiimsiu (I will take it along).
- With ne-: ne + si + verb. Nesimokau (I am not studying), nesijaudink (don't worry).
- With ne- and a prefix: ne + prefix + si + verb. Neatsikėliau (I didn't get up), nenusipirkau (I didn't buy myself anything).
The ending becomes ordinary
Once -si- has moved, the verb ends like a normal verb: mokausi → nesimokau, juokiasi → nusijuokia, susitiksime (we will meet). The same happens after nebe- and tebe-: nebesimoko (no longer studies). See No Longer With Nebe-.
Commands
Commands follow the same rule: Atsisėskite. (Please sit down.) Nesijaudink! (Don't worry!) See Negative Commands.
Why the prefix is there
A prefix often makes the action one completed event or changes its meaning: praustis (to wash, to be washing) and nusiprausti (to get washed); pirkti (to buy) and nusipirkti (to buy for yourself). See Ongoing Versus Completed Actions.
Examples (6)
- Ryte atsikėliau labai anksti.
In the morning I got up very early.
Word by Word: In-morning (I) got-up very early.
keltis becomes atsikelti; -si- sits right after at-.
- Nusiprausiu ir eisiu miegoti.
I will wash and go to bed.
Word by Word: (I) will-wash-myself and will-go to-sleep.
No -si at the end: the future ending is the ordinary -siu.
- Susitikime prie teatro septintą.
Let's meet by the theatre at seven.
Word by Word: Let's-meet by theatre at-seventh.
- Nesijaudink, viskas bus gerai.
Don't worry, everything will be fine.
Word by Word: Don't-worry, everything will-be fine.
jaudintis with ne- becomes nesijaudink.
- Šiandien nesimokau, nes turiu laisvą dieną.
I am not studying today because I have a day off.
Word by Word: Today (I) not-study, because (I) have free day.
mokausi becomes nesimokau.
- Nusipirkau naują striukę.
I bought myself a new jacket.
Word by Word: (I) bought-for-myself new jacket.
Common Mistakes
Keeping the reflexive ending after ne-.
Aš šiandien nemokausi.Aš šiandien nesimokau.With ne- and no other prefix, the reflexive marker moves forward: ne + si + mokau. Use the ordinary personal ending -au instead of -ausi.
Marking the reflexive twice.
Rytoj susitiksimės.Rytoj susitiksime.Susitikti already has -si- after su-, so use the ordinary first-person plural future ending -sime: susitiksime. Do not add another reflexive ending.
Leaving the reflexive at the end of a prefixed verb.
Ryte atkėliausi septintą.Ryte atsikėliau septintą.With a prefix, -si- goes straight after it: at + si + kėliau.
How It Connects
Learn This First
A prefix changes the position of the reflexive marker, which appears only once.
Related Patterns
- Doing Things to Each Other
Many each-other verbs have a prefix, so -si- sits inside them.
Level 3 - ne- + imperativeNegative Commands
Negative commands such as Nesijaudink follow this rule.
Level 3 - ne- + verbNegation with Ne-
With no other prefix, ne- is followed by -si-: nesimokau.
Level 1 - nebe-No Longer with Nebe-
Nebe- also pulls -si- forward: nebesimoko.
Level 3 - Reflexive -si- in Nouns and Participles
The same inner -si- appears in participles and verbal nouns.
Level 5
Learn Next
Patterns that build on this one.
Practice Reflexive -si- After a Prefix in Bubblegum
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