How to Use Reflexive Pronouns in Romanian for English Speakers

Understanding Reflexive Pronouns in Romanian

Reflexive pronouns in Romanian are used to indicate that the subject of the sentence is performing an action on itself. They are essential for expressing actions where the subject and the object are the same person or thing.

What Are Reflexive Pronouns?

In Romanian, reflexive pronouns correspond to English reflexive pronouns like "myself," "yourself," "himself," etc. They are used with reflexive verbs to show that the action reflects back on the subject.

Romanian Reflexive Pronouns Table

• eu (I) – mă (myself)
• tu (you singular) – te (yourself)
• el/ea (he/she) – se (himself/herself)
• noi (we) – ne (ourselves)
• voi (you plural) – vă (yourselves)
• ei/ele (they) – se (themselves)

How Reflexive Pronouns Are Used in Sentences

Reflexive pronouns in Romanian usually appear before the verb and are used with reflexive verbs. For example, the verb spăla means "to wash," and its reflexive form a se spăla means "to wash oneself."

Example:
Eu mă spăl. – I wash myself.
Here, mă is the reflexive pronoun corresponding to eu.

Reflexive Pronouns with Different Tenses

Reflexive pronouns remain the same regardless of the tense. They always agree with the subject in person and number.

Example in past tense:
Tu te-ai spălat. – You washed yourself.

Common Reflexive Verbs in Romanian

• a se trezi – to wake up
• a se îmbrăca – to get dressed
• a se odihni – to rest
• a se bucura – to enjoy
• a se gândi – to think

Tips for English Speakers Learning Romanian Reflexive Pronouns

English speakers should remember that reflexive pronouns in Romanian are mandatory with reflexive verbs, unlike in English where sometimes they can be omitted.

Also, the reflexive pronoun changes depending on the subject, so it is important to learn the correct forms listed above.