Where to put reflexive pronouns
Reflexive pronouns Pronomi riflessivi are located:
- In front of the verb: most of the time.
Magda si sveglia felice.
Magda is happy when she gets up (literally: “Magda gets herself up happy”).
Ciro non si lava oggi.
Cira isn't washing (himself) today.
- After the verb: in the infinitive, imperative and gerundio (“-ing” form equivalent).
Toni vuole trasferirsi (di casa)
Toni wants to leave home (literally “Toni wants to move himself from home”).
Trovati un lavoro.
Find yourself a job!
Svegliandovi presto, avrete più energie.
If you wake up early, you'll have more energy (literally “by waking yourselves up early”).
- Before or after the verb (according to preference):
in sentences with a verb like potere (to be able to), dovere (to have to), sapere (to know how to) and volere (to want to) + a main verb.
Anna vuole cambiarsi in camera. / Anna si vuole cambiare in camera.
Anna wants to get changed in her room (literally “Anna wants to change herself in her room”).
in sentences with two verbs joined by a preposition, like the expressions stare per (to be about to), finire di (to finish), etc.
Antonio sta per farsi la barba. / Antonio si sta per fare la barba.
Antonio is about to shave (himself).
Note: direct Pronomi CD and indirect object pronouns Pronomi CI follow the same rules described above.
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