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Reflexive Verbs & Pronouns

sig and reflexive verb constructions

Reflexive pronouns: mig, dig, sig, oss, er, sig

The 3rd person reflexive sig covers all genders and numbers.

📊 Reflexive pronouns
Person Pronoun
jag mig
du dig
han/hon/det/den sig
vi oss
ni er
de sig
💬 Examples
Jag tvättar mig. / Du tvättar dig.
I wash (myself). / You wash (yourself).
📝 mig = 1st sg.; dig = 2nd sg.
Han/Hon tvättar sig. / De tvättar sig.
He/She washes. / They wash.
📝 sig = all 3rd person reflexive
Many verbs are inherently reflexive in Swedish

gifta sig (to get married), känna sig (to feel), heta sig.

💬 Examples
Jag gifter mig i sommar.
I am getting married this summer.
📝 gifta sig = inherently reflexive
Hon känner sig trött.
She feels tired.
📝 känna sig = to feel (reflexive)
Reciprocal meaning: vi + reflexive verb = each other

Many verbs gain a reciprocal meaning with a plural subject + sig/reflexive.

💬 Examples
Vi ses imorgon!
We will see each other tomorrow!
📝 ses = reciprocal s-form of se
De kramas.
They hug each other.
📝 kramas = reciprocal s-form