Dutch grammar: gebruik van reflexieve voornaamwoorden

What this grammar point covers

Reflexive pronouns in Dutch are words like 'me', 'je', 'zich', which are used when the subject and the object of the verb are the same person. They show that someone is doing something to themselves.

When to use it

You use reflexive pronouns in Dutch when the subject does something to themselves, such as washing, dressing, or remembering. Many verbs in Dutch are reflexive and require these pronouns.

Key forms

• me (myself)
• je (yourself)
• zich (himself/herself/itself/themselves)
• ons (ourselves)
• je (yourselves)

Examples

Tips

• Not all verbs in Dutch use reflexive pronouns, so check if a verb is reflexive.
• The reflexive pronoun changes depending on the subject.
• Sometimes 'zich' is used for both singular and plural third person.

Exceptions and edge cases

• Some verbs can be reflexive or not, depending on the meaning (e.g., 'herinneren' vs. 'herinneren zich').
• A few verbs use a reflexive pronoun even if the action is not truly reflexive.