Reflexívek

Reflexívek are a grammatical category used to mark reflexivity in a verb phrase, where the action is directed back onto the subject. They appear in a wide range of languages and can express straightforward self-directed actions as well as more idiomatic or reciprocal senses.

Morphology and syntax of reflexívek vary across languages. They can be realized as clitic pronouns attached to the verb (for example, a se- or si- type clitic in many Slavic languages), as bound affixes that attach directly to the verb, or as periphrastic constructions using independent reflexive elements such as possessive or noun-based forms plus a reflexive particle. In some languages, the reflexive marker agrees with the subject in person and number, while in others it does not. Reflexívek may also participate in reciprocal constructions when multiple subjects are involved, giving meanings like “each other” in addition to the basic reflexive sense.

Semantics and usage: Reflexívek help distinguish actions that the subject performs on itself from other valency patterns. They can also convey emphasis, habituality, or certain idiomatic meanings that are not easily captured by a non-reflexive verb. In some languages, reflexivity interacts with aspect, mood, and voice, yielding a variety of nuanced forms.

Cross-linguistic notes: While many Indo-European languages use clitic or affixal reflexives, others rely on periphrastic strategies or lexicalized self-referential terms. English, for instance, uses independent reflexive pronouns (myself, yourself) rather than a dedicated bound marker, whereas several Slavic languages employ a dedicated reflexive clitic.

See also: reflexivity, pronominal verbs, reciprocal pronouns.