How to Use and Conjugate Reflexive Verbs in Slovak

Understanding Reflexive Verbs in Slovak

Reflexive verbs in Slovak are verbs that indicate the subject is performing an action on itself. They are characterized by the use of reflexive pronouns, which in Slovak are typically sa or si. These verbs are essential for expressing actions like washing oneself, dressing, or feeling emotions.

What Makes a Verb Reflexive?

A verb is reflexive when the subject and the object of the action are the same. In Slovak, reflexive verbs are marked by adding the particle sa or si after the verb. For example, umývať sa means "to wash oneself." The reflexive pronoun changes depending on the verb and the grammatical context.

Common Reflexive Pronouns in Slovak

The reflexive pronouns used with reflexive verbs in Slovak are mainly sa and si. Their usage depends on the verb and the meaning intended.

Sa is the most common reflexive pronoun and is used with many reflexive verbs. Si is used when the reflexive action is directed towards oneself in a more personal or possessive sense, often with verbs related to feelings or personal care.

Conjugation of Reflexive Verbs in Slovak

Reflexive verbs in Slovak are conjugated similarly to regular verbs, but the reflexive pronoun sa or si is placed after the verb. The position of the reflexive pronoun can change depending on the tense and mood.

Present Tense Conjugation Example: <em>umývať sa</em> (to wash oneself)

Here is the present tense conjugation of the reflexive verb umývať sa:

• Ja sa umývam (I wash myself)
• Ty sa umývaš (You wash yourself)
• On/Ona/Ono sa umýva (He/She/It washes himself/herself/itself)
• My sa umývame (We wash ourselves)
• Vy sa umývate (You wash yourselves)
• Oni sa umývajú (They wash themselves)

Past Tense Conjugation Example: <em>umývať sa</em>

In the past tense, the reflexive pronoun remains after the verb, which is conjugated with the auxiliary verb byť (to be) and the past participle:

• Ja som sa umýval/umývala (I washed myself)
• Ty si sa umýval/umývala (You washed yourself)
• On sa umýval / Ona sa umývala / Ono sa umývalo (He/She/It washed himself/herself/itself)
• My sme sa umývali (We washed ourselves)
• Vy ste sa umývali (You washed yourselves)
• Oni sa umývali (They washed themselves)

Placement of Reflexive Pronouns in Slovak Sentences

The reflexive pronoun sa or si usually follows the verb directly in simple tenses. However, in compound tenses or with modal verbs, the pronoun placement can vary, often appearing after the auxiliary verb or between the auxiliary and the main verb.

Example with Modal Verb: <em>chcieť sa</em> (to want to do something oneself)

In the sentence "Chcem sa učiť" (I want to study myself), the reflexive pronoun sa comes after the modal verb chcem and before the infinitive učiť.

Examples of Common Reflexive Verbs in Slovak

Tips for English Speakers Learning Slovak Reflexive Verbs

English speakers may find reflexive verbs in Slovak challenging because English uses reflexive pronouns less frequently. Remember that in Slovak, reflexive verbs are very common and often necessary to express actions done to oneself.

Practice conjugating reflexive verbs regularly and pay attention to the placement of sa and si in different tenses and sentence structures.