Verb + sa
Reflexive Verbs with Sa
Many Slovak verbs come with sa: učiť sa (learn), volať sa (be called), báť sa (be afraid). Put sa after the first word or phrase: Volám sa Eva.
How It Works
Three kinds of sa verbs
- Doing something to yourself: umyť sa (wash), obliecť sa (get dressed), obrátiť sa (turn around).
- Verbs that always have sa: báť sa (be afraid), smiať sa (laugh), tešiť sa (look forward, be glad), páčiť sa (be pleasing).
- Verbs whose meaning changes with sa: učiť (teach) / učiť sa (learn), volať (call) / volať sa (be called), vrátiť (give back) / vrátiť sa (come back), stretnúť (meet someone, run into) / stretnúť sa (meet up).
Sa does not change for person: učím sa, učíš sa, učí sa, učíme sa, učíte sa, učia sa.
Where sa goes
Sa is an unstressed little word. It comes right after the first stressed word or phrase of the sentence, wherever the verb is:
- Volám sa Eva. (My name is Eva.)
- Moja sestra sa volá Jana. (My sister's name is Jana.)
- Zajtra sa stretneme. (We'll meet tomorrow.)
- Chcem sa učiť po slovensky. (I want to learn Slovak.)
In the past tense, som, si, sme, ste come before sa: Včera som sa učil. (I studied yesterday.) See Unstressed Words in Second Position.
Sa and the case after the verb
Some sa verbs need a particular case. Báť sa takes the genitive: Bojím sa tmy. (I'm afraid of the dark.) See Verbs With the Genitive.
For verbs with si, see Reflexive Verbs With si.
Examples (6)
- Učím sa po slovensky.
I'm learning Slovak.
Word by Word: I-teach myself in Slovak.
Učiť sa means to learn. Without sa, učiť means to teach.
- Volám sa Eva.
My name is Eva.
Word by Word: I-call myself Eva.
Sa comes right after the first word.
- Bojím sa tmy.
I'm afraid of the dark.
Báť sa always has sa and takes the genitive: tmy.
- Ráno sa umyjem a oblečiem.
In the morning I wash and get dressed.
Actions done to oneself. One sa serves both verbs.
- Včera sme sa stretli v meste.
Yesterday we met up in town.
In the past tense, sme comes before sa.
- Tešíme sa na leto.
We're looking forward to summer.
Tešiť sa na + accusative means to look forward to something.
Common Mistakes
Starting the sentence with sa.
Sa volám Eva.Volám sa Eva.Sa is unstressed and can never be the first word. It goes after the first stressed word or phrase.
Leaving out sa. The intended meaning is "I'm learning Slovak".
Učím po slovensky.Učím sa po slovensky.Without sa, učiť means to teach, so Učím po slovensky means I teach in Slovak. To learn is učiť sa.
Putting sa before the past-tense helper word.
Včera sa som učil.Včera som sa učil.When several unstressed words stand together, som, si, sme or ste comes first and sa follows.
How It Connects
Learn This First
Before Reflexive Verbs With sa, learn Object Pronouns. sa is the reflexive counterpart of the accusative object pronouns.
Related Patterns
- Verb + siReflexive Verbs with Si
The other reflexive word, used for actions done for oneself.
Level 2 - volať sa + NameSaying Your Name
One of the first sa verbs learners meet, for saying your name.
Level 1 - Unstressed Words in Second Position
Explains the second-position rule that decides where sa goes.
Level 3 - sa / si (Each Other)Each Other: Sa and Si
Shows how sa can also mean each other.
Level 3 - Reflexive Passive
Shows sa used to form a passive, as in Tu sa predávajú lístky.
Level 4 - báť sa / týkať sa / držať sa + GenitiveVerbs with the Genitive
Sa verbs that take the genitive case.
Level 3
Learn Next
Patterns that build on this one.
Words in This Pattern
Practice Verb + sa in Bubblegum
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