riflessive

Riflessive, in grammar, refers to verbs whose action is directed back onto the subject. In languages that mark the action with pronouns, reflexive verbs are typically accompanied by a set of reflexive pronouns and may require a specific word order. In Italian, these verbs are called verbi riflessivi and are used with reflexive pronouns such as mi, ti, si, ci, vi, si, placed before or attached to the verb (for example, mi lavo, ti svegli, si veste). The same general idea appears in many languages, though the exact pronouns and conjugation patterns vary.

In Italian and related Romance languages, a substantive part of riflessive use covers three main functions. First, true reflexive actions where the subject performs and receives the action on itself, as in lavarsi (to wash oneself) or vestirsi (to dress oneself). Second, pronominal verbs with idiomatic meanings that are not easily understood from the separate verb, such as farsi (to make oneself, to do for oneself). Third, reciprocal actions where two or more subjects act upon each other, as ci incontriamo (we meet each other) or si amano (they love each other). Some verbs can be used both reflexively and non-reflexively, changing meaning accordingly.

Cross-linguistically, reflexive structures are common, with analogous forms in languages such as French (se laver), Spanish (lavarse), Romanian (a se), and others. While the presence of a reflexive pronoun is a unifying feature, the rules for forming and using riflessive verbs differ by language, including placement of pronouns, agreement, and the possibility of idiomatic meanings.