Reflexive Verbs with 'se' & 'si' in Czech
Reflexive Verbs with 'se' and 'si' (Zvratná slovesa)
Czech uses two distinct unstressed reflexive particles: accusative se (direct action upon oneself: mýt se) and dative si (action for oneself: koupit si).
In Czech, *Reflexive Verbs (Zvratná slovesa) are constructed using two distinct unstressed clitic pronouns: se (Accusative reflexive: oneself) and si (Dative reflexive: to/for oneself*):
1. Reflexive Verbs with 'se' (Accusative Reflexive): - Direct reflexivity where subject and direct object are identical: mýt se (to wash oneself), učit se (to learn / study, lit. 'to teach oneself'), oblékat se (to dress oneself). - Inherent reflexive verbs (Reflexiva tantum) where se is lexicalized without a non-reflexive counterpart: smát se (to laugh), bát se (to be afraid of), ptát se (to ask), dívat se (to look). - Reciprocal actions: setkat se (to meet each other), znát se (to know each other).
2. Reflexive Verbs with 'si' (Dative Reflexive): - Indicates an action performed for one's own benefit, possession, or internal mental state: - koupit si kávu (to buy oneself a coffee) - přát si (to wish for oneself) - myslet si (to think/opine to oneself) - lehnout si (to lie down) - vzpomenout si (to remember / recall to mind).
Wackernagel's Clitic Slot: Both se and si are strict second-position clitics: Včera jsem se učil (Yesterday I was studying).
Examples
Každé ráno se rychle sprchuji a připravuji si vydatnou snídani.
Every morning I shower quickly and prepare myself a hearty breakfast.
Studenti se pilně učí na náročnou zkoušku z dějin umění.
The students are studying diligently for the demanding exam in art history.
Včera jsme si koupili krásné knihy o české architektuře.
Yesterday we bought ourselves beautiful books about Czech architecture.
Můj bratr se vůbec nebojí těžkých výzev v novém zaměstnání.
My brother is not afraid at all of tough challenges in his new job.
Related terms
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