A reflexive pronoun can be accusative or dative, depending on the verb's structure and other objects.
The idea
Compare Ich wasche mich with Ich wasche mir die Hände. In the second sentence, die Hände is already the accusative object. Only first- and second-person singular visibly differ: mich/mir, dich/dir.
| Form / Muster | Beispiel / Gegensatz |
|---|---|
| ohne anderes Akkusativobjekt | Ich wasche mich. |
| mit Akkusativobjekt | Ich wasche mir die Hände. |
| ich | mich / mir |
| du | dich / dir |
| er / sie / es | sich / sich |
Notice, memorise, remember or remind: learn merken and erinnern with the pronouns and prepositions that change their meaning. German usage: merken / erinnern
Examples
- Ich wasche mich.
- Ich wasche mir die Hände.
- Du ziehst dich an.
- Du ziehst dir eine Jacke an.
- Er putzt sich die Zähne.
- Wir kaufen uns ein Eis.
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Watch out
A separate accusative object can make the reflexive pronoun dative: Ich wasche mir die Hände. Without that object, Ich wasche mich uses accusative.
Try it yourself
Ich wasche ___ das Gesicht. (mich / mir)
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mir
Answer: “mir”. Another noun already occupies the accusative object role, so this reflexive pronoun is dative.
Du ziehst ___ an. (dich / dir)
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dich
Answer: “dich”. The accusative reflexive pronoun refers back to this sentence’s subject.
Du kaufst ___ ein Buch. (dich / dir)
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dir
Answer: “dir”. Another noun already occupies the accusative object role, so this reflexive pronoun is dative.
Practice round
Answer three questions, then rebuild three German sentences. We keep your score.
Ich wasche ___ das Gesicht. (mich / mir)
Du ziehst ___ an. (dich / dir)
Du kaufst ___ ein Buch. (dich / dir)
Tap the words in the right order.
Tap the words in the right order.
Tap the words in the right order.
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Use “Ich wasche mich.” as a model and write versions with du and wir. Check every verb ending and any pronoun that changes.