-ся/-сь

Reflexive Suffix -ся/-сь

Level 2Sounds Like suffiks -sâ/-sʹ

The suffix -ся/-сь (called a postfix) changes a verb's meaning by directing the action back to the subject, showing mutual action, or making the verb intransitive. It is attached to the very end of the verb, even after the personal endings.

How It Works

The reflexive suffix is an integral part of the verb form. Unlike the English word 'self', it is attached directly to the end of the verb.

1. Spelling Rules:

  • -ся: Used after consonants (учится), the soft sign (учиться), and 'й' (мойся). It is also used after vowels in participles.
  • -сь: Used after vowels in finite verbs (учусь, училась) and gerunds.

2. Main Functions:

  • Reflexive: The subject acts on themselves. Example: мыться (to wash oneself).
  • Reciprocal: Subjects act on each other. Example: целоваться (to kiss each other).
  • Intransitive/State: Describes a process or state. Example: начинаться (to begin).
  • Passive: The action is done to the subject. This is typically used with imperfective verbs. Example: Дом строится (The house is being built).
  • Impersonal: Describes an involuntary state or inclination, often with a dative subject. Example: Мне не спится (I can't sleep/I don't feel like sleeping).
  • Deponent: Verbs that only exist with this suffix. Example: бояться (to be afraid).

3. The -тся vs. -ться Distinction:
Use -ться for the infinitive and -тся for the 3rd person present forms.

Examples (5)

  1. Я просыпаюсь в семь часов утра.

    I wake up at seven o'clock in the morning.

    Word by Word: I wake-self at seven hours morning.

    The verb 'просыпаться' is intransitive; the suffix '-сь' is used because it follows the vowel 'ю'.

  2. Они встретились в парке.

    They met in the park.

    Word by Word: They met-selves in park.

    This is a reciprocal action (they met each other). The suffix '-сь' follows the vowel 'и' in the past plural form.

  3. Тебе нравится эта музыка?

    Do you like this music?

    Word by Word: To you pleases-self this music?

    The verb 'нравиться' is a common deponent verb used with the dative case.

  4. Мальчик моется мылом.

    The boy is washing (himself) with soap.

    Word by Word: Boy washes-self soap-with.

    A proper reflexive action. The suffix '-ся' follows the consonant 'т'.

  5. Магазин открывается в девять.

    The store opens at nine.

    Word by Word: Store opens-self at nine.

    Here, the suffix indicates a middle voice/passive state (the store doesn't open itself, but the focus is on the store opening).

Common Mistakes

  • Using -ся after a vowel in finite verbs or infinitives.

    Я мылася утром.
    Я мылась утром.

    In finite verb forms and infinitives, always use '-сь' when the preceding letter is a vowel. The suffix '-ся' is only kept after vowels in participles (like 'учащийся'), which you will encounter at higher levels.

  • Confusing -тся and -ться.

    Он хочет учится.
    Он хочет учиться.

    If the verb is an infinitive (answering 'what to do?'), it must have the soft sign: -ться. If it is a 3rd person singular or plural form, use -тся.

  • Keeping the suffix when there is a direct object.

    Я учусь русский язык.
    Я учу русский язык.

    If you are performing the action on something else (a direct object in the accusative case), you must remove the reflexive suffix.

How It Connects

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

-ся/-сьLevel 2Reflexive Suffix -ся/-сь

Learn This First

To understand the reflexive suffix -ся/-сь, a learner must first be familiar with basic Russian verb morphology, including the infinitive form, present tense conjugations, and past tense endings. This is because the suffix is appended to these existing forms, and its spelling (-ся vs -сь) is determined by whether the preceding letter is a consonant or a vowel.

Learn Next

Patterns that build on this one.

Words in This Pattern

-ся-сь