Kendini

Kendini is a Turkish reflexive pronoun that functions as the accusative object of a verb, referring back to the subject of the sentence. It is the second-person singular reflexive form and is used to indicate that an action is performed on the subject by the subject, as in to express actions directed toward oneself.

In Turkish, reflexive pronouns are formed from the stem kend- with person-specific endings. The full paradigm includes kendim, kendin, kendi, kendimiz, kendiniz, kendileri and their accusative forms kendimi, kendini, kendisini, kendimizi, kendinizi, kendilerini. The corresponding dative forms are kendime, kendine, kendisine, kendimize, kendinize, kendilerine, and phrases like kendi kendine (by oneself) are common. The expression kendine güven, kendine bak, and kendi kendine konuşmak illustrate typical uses, from self-confidence to talking to oneself.

Common uses of kendini include expressing self-directed actions or experiences, such as Kendini ifade etmek (to express oneself), Kendini savunmak (to defend oneself), or Kendini eleştirmek (to criticize oneself). It often appears with imperative or indicative moods and may be combined with other particles to shift emphasis or stance. The reflexive form can also appear in evaluative or emphatic constructions, sometimes replacing a pronoun for emphasis or clarity.

Kendini and its related forms occupy an essential place in Turkish syntax, especially for conveying agency and action directed at the speaker or listener themselves. The broader reflexive system allows speakers to specify perspective and focus, from direct self-reference to idiomatic expressions like kendi kendine.