An excellent guide to reflexive verbs in Italian, with 102 examples

“Ciao! Mi chiamo Tina.” This is probably one of the first phrases we learn when studying Italian, but did you realize it contains a reflexive verb?

It’s very common to use reflexive verbs in Italian conversation - especially because there are so many of them! This article will help you confidently use these verbs in phrases beyond “mi chiamo”. This guide also includes:

• An explanation of Italian reflexive verbs
• How to recognize them
• Examples of how to conjugate them
• 102 examples conjugated in the present tense
• A sample conversation

Let’s get started!

What are reflexive verbs?

A verb is considered to be reflexive when it has the same subject and direct object. For example, in Italian:

• Lui si è vestito. → He dressed himself. / He got dressed.
• Noi ci divertiamo. → We enjoy ourselves. / We have fun.

In these cases, we need to use a reflexive pronoun, which expresses the object of the phrase. So before we go any further, let’s review the Italian reflexive pronouns.

Maybe it’s just me, but looking at the reflexive pronouns reminds me of the song, “Do-re-mi-fa-so-la-ti-do”. In any case, once you commit these to memory, it will make using reflexive verbs in Italian much easier!

*The third-person singular always includes the formal “you” tense in Italian.

How to recognise reflexive verbs in Italian?

You’ll always be able to tell if a verb is reflexive based on its ending of “-si”. Italian reflexive verbs end in one of three ways: -arsi, -ersi, or -irsi.

Italian definitely has more reflexive verbs than the English language. Interestingly, verb phrases that include “get” in English likely translate into reflexive phrases in Italian. You’ll see these translations in our list down below, but here are some common examples:

• (to) get angry → arrabbiarsi
• (to) get dressed → vestirsi
• (to) get lost → perdersi

To fully grasp reflexive verbs in Italian, it takes practice and understanding a conversation’s context. Let’s look at a few common examples:

Did you notice that the last example was conjugated using the simple past tense? That brings us to our next topic: conjugating these verbs!

How to conjugate reflexive verbs in Italian

As we know, reflexive verbs in Italian have one of the following endings. Here’s how they are conjugated:

• arsi: addormentarsi (to fall asleep) → conjugated like an -are verb
• ersi: muoversi (to move) → conjugated like an -ere verb
• irsi: divertirsi (to have fun) → conjugated like an -ire verb

As you may notice, the reflexive verbs are conjugated exactly like non-reflexive verbs, with the addition of the reflexive pronoun! This means that you don’t need to learn any “new” conjugations to use reflexive verbs in conversation. However, you should make sure that you’re familiar with the numerous irregular verbs in Italian, because an irregular reflexive verb is conjugated just like a non reflexive irregular verb.

If you’re looking for a refresher on Italian conjugations, this article will give you a helpful guide when it comes to conjugations of regular and irregular verbs in the present simple tense!

To use reflexive verbs in Italian, just drop the “-si” ending and understand whether the verb is conjugated as an -are, -ere, or -ire verb. And don’t forget to put the reflexive pronoun before the verb! Don’t worry, the next few sections will give you plenty of examples.

Next, we’re going to conjugate five common reflexive verbs in eight different tenses. These verbs will include an:

• -arsi verb (conjugated like -are)
• -ersi verb (conjugated like -ere)
• -ire verb (one Type 1 -ire verb and one Type 2 -ire verb)
• irregular verb

Reflexive verbs in the present tense in Italian

Our first conjugation is the present tense. Notice how the reflexive pronoun goes before the conjugated verb. Here are two examples:

• Che ti metti stasera? Mi metto i jeans. → What are you wearing tonight? I’m wearing jeans.
• Guarda! I gattini si lavano. → Look! The kittens are washing themselves.

Reflexive verbs in the past simple and present perfect tenses in Italian

Next, we have reflexive verbs in the past. Keep in mind that all reflexive verbs require the essere verb when conjugated in the passato prossimo tense. Check out this article for a review on how to do that! In the meantime, here are some examples:

• Mi sono messa il costume per andare in spiaggia. → I’ve put on my swimsuit to go to the beach.
• Ci siamo vestiti nello stesso modo! → We dressed the same!

Reflexive verbs in the imperfect tense in Italian

If you’re speaking in the imperfect tense (otherwise known as the the past continuous tense in English), you would translate the reflexive verbs like this:

• Mentre mi facevo la doccia, è suonato il campanello. → While I was taking a shower, the doorbell rang.
• Mentre gli attori si vestivano, il cantante ha finito la sua canzone. → While the actors were getting dressed, the singer finished her song.

Reflexive verbs in future simple tense in Italian

This table shows the conjugations of the future simple tense. Two examples of this would be:

• Mi trasferirò all’estero. → (I’m going to move abroad. / I will move abroad.)
• Mi laverò la faccia. → (I’m going to wash my face. / I will wash my face.)

Reflexive verbs in present conditional tense in Italian

If you’re speaking in hypothetical situations, you would use the present conditional tense. Let’s look at an example:

• Se non dovessi andare in palestra, mi farei la doccia adesso. → (If I didn’t have to go to the gym, I’d take a shower now.)
• Se non avessi appena accettato il nuovo lavoro, mi trasferirei in Irlanda. → (If I hadn’t just accepted the new job, I would move to Ireland.)

Reflexive verbs in present subjunctive tense in Italian

Using the congiuntivo tense (also known as the present subjunctive tense) can take a lot of practice, especially if you’ve just started your Italian language learning journey. For this article, just keep in mind that “che” is translated as “that”. It’s included in this table, since the congiuntivo is used after phrases like “credo” (I believe) and “penso” (I think). For example:

• Credo che lui si trasferisca all’estero. → (I think that he’s going to move abroad.)
• Penso che lui si metta la cravatta. → (I think that he’s going to wear a tie.)

Reflexive verbs in formal and informal imperative tense in Italian

The following table shows you how to use the reflexive verbs in the imperative tense. Keep in mind that the “Lei” form (third person singular) is also the formal “you” tense. So, if you wanted to use the formal imperative to tell someone to wash their hands, you would say:

Si lavi le mani, per favore. → Wash your hands, please.

But if you wanted to tell your close friend the same thing, you could say:

Dai, lavati le mani! → Come on, wash your hands!

Notice how only the third person tense keeps the reflexive pronoun before the verb. The other tenses attach the reflexive pronoun to the end of the verb.

*Although the “loro” pronoun was once used to address groups in the formal tense, the “voi” pronoun is now acceptable to use when addressing groups with a formal tone.

Reflexive verbs in gerund in Italian

You can also use the reflexive verbs as a gerund. In these cases, the reflexive pronoun moves to the end of the word. Let’s take a look at some examples.

Lavandoci le mani, evitiamo di ammalarci. → By washing our hands, we can avoid getting sick.

Trasferendomi in Italia, spero di migliorare il mio italiano. → By moving to Italy, I hope to improve my Italian.

List of the 102 most common reflexive verbs in Italian

Now we’re ready to dive into 102 reflexive verbs! Going through this list and learning unfamiliar words is a great way to build your vocabulary. Afterwards, you’ll find some of these verbs used in a sample conversation.

1. Abbandonarsi - to surrender

2. Abbassarsi - to oneself lower down

3. Abbinarsi - to match up with something or someone

4. Abituarsi - to get used to something

5. Accorgersi - to realize, to notice something

6. Addormentarsi - to fall asleep

7. Affacciarsi - to look upon

8. Affrettarsi - to hasten, to hurry

9. Alimentarsi - to consume food

10. Allontanarsi - to move far

11. Alzarsi - to get up, to stand up

12. Ambientarsi - to become comfortable with something

13. Ammalarsi - to get sick

14. Annoiarsi - to become bored

15. Arrabbiarsi - to get angry

16. Avvedersi - to perceive, to become aware

17. Avvicinarsi - to approach

18. Barcamenarsi - to tread carefully

19. Badarsi - to look after oneself

20. Bagnarsi - to get wet

21. Bruciarsi - to burn oneself

22. Burlarsi - to make fun of, to laugh at

23. Buttarsi - to throw oneself into (something)

24. Calmarsi - to calm oneself down

25. Capirsi - to understand each other

26. Chiamarsi - to call oneself, to be named

27. Commuoversi - to be moved (emotionally)

28. Comportarsi - to behave oneself

29. Concedersi - to indulge (in something)

30. Concentrarsi - to concentrate, to focus

31. Coricarsi - to lie down, to go to bed

32. Curarsi - to take care of oneself

33. Dimenticarsi - to forget

34. Dimettersi - to resign

35. Divertirsi - to enjoy oneself, to have fun

36. Effetfuarsi - to take place

37. Emaciarsi - to become emaciated

38. Emozionarsi - to get excited

39. Farsi il bagno - to take a bath

40. Farsi la barba - to shave (the face)

41. Farsi la doccia - to take a shower

42. Fermarsi - to stop

43. Fidarsi - to trust, to confide

44. Imbecillirsi - to become foolish

45. Imbiondirsi - to become blonde

46. Imbruttirsi - to become ugly

47. Infurbirsi - to become shrewd

48. Infuriarsi - to become angry

49. Ingannarsi - to be deceived

50. Innamorarsi - to fall in love with

51. Lagnarsi - to complain, to lament

52. Lamentarsi - to complain

>53. Lavarsi - to wash oneself

54. Liberarsi - to break free

55. Loggarsi - to log on

56. Mettersi - to put on, to wear

57. Mostrarsi - to show yourself

58. Muoversi - to move

59. Nascondersi - to hide yourself

60. Ostinarsi - to be adamant

61. Perdersi - to lose oneself (in something), to get lost

62. Pettinarsi - to comb oneself

63. Piegarsi - to bend over

64. Preoccuparsi - to worry oneself

65. Prepararsi - to prepare oneself

66. Promettersi - to promise

67. Radersi - to shave oneself

68. Regolarsi - to adjust

69. Rassegnarsi - to resign oneself

70. Riavvicinarsi - to get closer

71. Ricordarsi - to remember

72. Rifiutarsi - to refuse

73. Riprendersi - to recover

74. Riunirsi - to get together

75. Rivolgersi - to turn to, to call on, to apply

76. Saziarsi - to become full/satisfied

77. Sbagliarsi - to make a mistake, to be mistaken

78. Sborniarsi - to get drunk

79. Sbottonarsi - to unbutton oneself, to open up

80. Sdraiarsi - to lie down

81. Sentirsi - to feel

82. Separarsi - to break up with, to separate oneself from

83. Sfamarsi - to satisfy one’s hunger, to feed yourself

84. Sfogarsi - to get something off one’s mind

85. Sgranchirsi - to stretch

86. Soffermarsi - to linger

87. Sorprendersi - to be surprised

88. Sostenersi - to sustain oneself

89. Spogliarsi - to undress

90. Sposarsi - to marry, to get married

91. Svegliarsi - to wake up

92. Tenersi - to hold

93. Tranquillizzarsi - to settle down, calm down

94. Trascurarsi - to neglect

95. Trasferirsi - to move (away), to relocate

96. Trasformarsi - to transform

97. Truccarsi - to put makeup on

98. Turbarsi - to get upset, to become agitated

99. Vantarsi - to boast, to brag, to be proud

100. Vergognarsi - to be ashamed

101. Vestirsi - to get dressed

102. Voltarsi - to turn oneself around

An example conversation with Italian reflexives

Now that we’ve looked at 102 different reflexives, let’s put some of them in a conversation between two acquaintances. How many can you recognize?

*Note: When using reflexives in Italian regarding appearance or your body, there’s no need to use the possessive adjective. So, Marco doesn’t say “mi sono fatto la mia barba”. Instead, he just says “mi sono fatto la barba”. It’s already understood that it’s his beard! Here are a few more examples:

• Mi lavo la faccia. → I wash my face.
• Mi lavo le mani. → I wash my hands.
• Mi pettino i capelli. → I comb my hair.

Be proud of yourself!

No matter where you are on your Italian language journey, be proud of yourself - Italian grammar is no joke! Reflexives are just one aspect of Italian grammar, but as you’ve seen in this article, many language features often come together during natural conversations. As always, feel free to brush up on your Italian language skills with these articles. Alla prossima!