REFLEXIVE VERBS IN UKRAINIAN

What are reflexive verbs and why are they so… reflective?

Reflexive verbs in Ukrainian are verbs that end with -ся or -сь. They’re used when the action reflects back on the subject — basically, when you do something to yourself. Think of them like the selfie mode of verbs: you’re in the frame twice.

Examples:

• вмиватися – to wash oneself

• сміятися – to laugh

• боятися – to be afraid

• одягатися – to get dressed

• називатися – to be called

Reflexive verbs are used in these main situations:

1. When you do something to yourself (e.g. dress yourself, wash yourself)

2. To describe mutual actions (e.g. hug each other, meet each other, fight)

3.In expressions with abstract or emotional meaning (e.g. be afraid, seem)

Warning: these verbs aren’t afraid of themselves

Here are some commonly used reflexive verbs that are easy to mix up with regular verbs:

Do other languages have reflexive verbs too?

Yes — but they wear different costumes!

English has reflexive pronouns (myself, yourself, himself...), but it doesn’t glue them to the verb like Ukrainian does. You need to use them separately.

Examples:

•I washed myself.

•She introduced herself.

•We told ourselves to stay calm.

So while English does have the reflexive idea, the grammar looks totally different: no -ся, just helper pronouns.

But! Some Ukrainian reflexive verbs have no clear reflexive version in English:

• сміятися → just to laugh (we don’t say “I laugh myself”)

• називатися → to be called (passive instead of reflexive)

Practical exercises 

1. Choose the correct verb (pay attention to the reflexive ending)

:a) I ______ at 7 a.m.

b) They often ______ at a café.

c) Katia ______ Iryna.

Options: wake up (прокидаюся), meet (зустрічаються), is called (називається)

Answers:

a) прокидаюся

b) зустрічаються

c) називається

2. Translate into Ukrainian:

a) I’m getting dressed →

b) We’re seeing each other →

c) Are you afraid? →

Answers:

a) Я одягаюся

b) Ми зустрічаємося

c) Ти боїшся?