Page 57 - verbo italiano

Verb Usage Review / 47

Note that in the second option of the tu form, the infinitive drops the final –e
before the pronoun.
In the verb charts, in the negative imperative of the tu form, only the second option
will be displayed, but both are possible.
If the infinitive is preceded by a form of dovere, potere, or volere, the reflexive pro-
noun either attaches to the infinitive (which drops its final –e) or precedes the con-
jugated verb. Note that the reflexive pronoun agrees with the subject even when
attached to the infinitive.

Mi alzo presto. I get up early.
Devo alzarmi presto. I have to get up early.
Mi devo alzare presto. I have to get up early.

HOW ITALIAN REFLEXIVE VERBS TRANSLATE

INTO ENGLISH
A reflexive verb is a verb whose action refers back to the subject, such as “I see
myself in the mirror” or “He considers himself intelligent.” In both of these exam-
ples, the subject and direct object are the same. Generally, when a verb is reflexive
in English, it is also reflexive in Italian—for example, farsi male (“to hurt oneself”).
The opposite is not true. When a verb is reflexive in Italian, it is not necessarily
reflexive in English, as for examples the verbs below:
laurearsi to graduate
iscriversi to enroll

Many transitive verbs (those that can be followed by a direct object) can be non-
reflexive or reflexive depending upon whether the subject is acting upon itself or
upon someone or something else.

Giada lava la macchina. Giada is washing the car. (“car” =
direct object)
Giada si lava. Giada washes herself.

Note that the nonreflexive verb forms the compound tenses with avere, while the
reflexive form always uses essere:

Giada ha lavato la macchina. Giada washed the car.
Giada si è lavata. Giada washed herself.

Often the action refers back to “part of oneself” as, for example, mi lavo le mani
(I wash my hands). Note that, in these cases, reflexive meaning is often expressed
in English by a possessive adjective rather than a reflexive verb. In the Italian sen-
tences, the use of the reflexive pronoun identifies the subject and possession is
understood; thus, the definite article is used rather than the possessive as it is used
in English.
Mi sono lavato i capelli. I washed my hair.
Si è messo il cappotto. He put his coat on.