Reflexive verbs
Reflexive pronouns and verbs that express actions done to oneself.
Use built-in reflexive verbs for daily routines. Use the maga- pronoun series for emphasis.
Look at these examples. Can you spot the grammar pattern?
Reggel megmosakszom.
I wash myself in the morning.
Ő maga csinálja.
He/she does it himself/herself.
Öltözz fel gyorsan!
Get dressed quickly!
Pay attention to the highlighted parts. What do they have in common?
Reflexive Verbs
Use the maga- series as reflexive pronouns:
| Person | Reflexive pronoun |
|---|---|
| én | magam (myself) |
| te | magad (yourself) |
| ő | maga (himself/herself) |
| mi | magunkat (ourselves) |
| ti | magatokat (yourselves) |
| ők | magukat (themselves) |
Built-in reflexive verbs (no separate pronoun needed):
mosakszik (wash oneself), öltözik (get dressed), borotválkozik (shave), fésülködik (comb hair)
Adding a reflexive pronoun to built-in reflexives: 'Magam mosakszom' is redundant/emphatic, just 'Mosakszom' suffices. Using 'magam' in all persons instead of the correct form for each person.
Common Error Patterns
Adding maga- pronoun to built-in reflexive verb unnecessarily
Using wrong person in maga- pronoun series
Reggel megmosakszom.
I wash myself in the morning.
Mosakszik is a built-in reflexive — no extra pronoun needed.
Ő maga csinálja.
He/she does it himself/herself.
Maga (3rd sg.) used for emphasis: 'himself/herself'.
Öltözz fel gyorsan!
Get dressed quickly!
Öltözik is built-in reflexive; imperative öltözz (consonant doubling).
Practice in course
Apply this grammar in A1 course exercises