Reflexive verbs
Norwegian reflexive verbs using reflexive pronouns meg, deg, seg, oss, dere, seg.
I can use reflexive verbs with the correct reflexive pronoun in Norwegian.
Look at these examples. Can you spot the grammar pattern?
Jeg vasker meg hver morgen.
I wash myself every morning.
Han skynder seg til bussen.
He hurries to the bus.
Vi koser oss i helgen.
We enjoy ourselves at the weekend.
Pay attention to the highlighted parts. What do they have in common?
Reflexive verbs use reflexive pronouns when subject = object.
| Subject | Reflexive pronoun | Example |
|---|---|---|
| jeg | meg | Jeg vasker meg. |
| du | deg | Du kler på deg. |
| han/hun/det | seg | Hun vasker seg. |
| vi | oss | Vi koser oss. |
| dere/de | dere/seg | De skynder seg. |
🇬🇧 Don't use object pronouns: ❌ Hun vasker henne → ✅ Hun vasker seg. 🇷🇺 3-е лицо: seg (не ham/henne). 🇨🇿 3. osoba: seg (ne ham/henne).
Common Error Patterns
Using object pronoun instead of reflexive
3rd person always takes 'seg': Han vasker seg (NOT henne/ham)
Omitting the reflexive pronoun entirely
Reflexive verbs require the pronoun: Jeg vasker meg (not Jeg vasker)
Jeg vasker meg hver morgen.
I wash myself every morning.
1st person: vaske + meg (myself)
Han skynder seg til bussen.
He hurries to the bus.
3rd person: skynde + seg (himself); seg for all 3rd person + plural 'de'
Vi koser oss i helgen.
We enjoy ourselves at the weekend.
1st person plural: kose + oss; 'kose seg' = enjoy/have a cosy time
Practice in course
Apply this grammar in A1 course exercises