Reflexive pronoun

The reflexive pronoun (also: reflexive pronoun ) is a pronoun that the personal pronoun differs in that it refers to units that are the closest, usually in the same sentence, are. For example, the reflexive pronoun and the personal pronouns distinguish it in the following example the fact that only himself ( the subordinate clause in the construction ) can be related to the subject of the same sentence:

A) Ottoi noticed that Karl ihni observed ( = Otto is observed ) b ) Otto noticed that Karli Sichi watched in the mirror ( = Karl observes itself )

Use

Can reflexive in German refer to different types of phrases, as long as the reference word in the grammatical hierarchy (for most verbs: subject ' indirect object < direct object < prepositional object ) is higher than the reflexive. Examples:

We showed ihmi Sichi yourself in the mirror Ottoi spoke with Sichi itself We cleared about Annai Sichi itself on A reflexive pronoun within a noun phrase can refer to the genitive in the same noun phrase:

Annasi pride themselves on Sichi molding

The German reflexive pronoun can function as a dative or accusative have, this form occurs only in the 3rd person and covers all the number and gender features. In all cases for which there is no form of himself, takes the appropriate form of the personal one, that is for 1st and 2nd person and for genitive, for example:

I 've noticed that dui dichi watching in the mirror. (see: I'm watching you. ) The Dichteri had become seineri even tired. (see: We were tired of him. ) functions

In German, as in other languages ​​such as French or Latin, the reflexive pronoun is also an integral part of certain verbs, without really have a reflexive meaning, for example, remember to make an appointment, be bored.

In German the reflexive pronoun is to Reziprokpronomen often used interchangeably as needed each other, eg in the phrase they wash themselves. Here there is an ambiguity, so this sentence can be interpreted in two ways. Firstly, as they wash each other and on the other as they wash themselves The exact interpretation must then be inferred from the context.

Reflexive pronouns in other languages

In the Slavic languages ​​there is a distinction based on the re-integration (see reflexive pronoun ) is used to resolve the ambiguities of a pronominal reference regularly. In Bosnian, Croatian and Serbian, for example:

Depending on the language, the potential scope of the cover may vary for a reflexive pronoun. The definition of this boundary is in linguistics an object of attachment theory