Reflexive Verbs (-ся)
Warm-up
In English, we say «I wash myself» or «We meet each other.» Ukrainian has a superpower for this: a tiny but mighty suffix -ся. This little addition changes the direction of the action entirely, transforming a standard verb into a reflexive one.
When you add -ся to the end of a verb, it essentially loops the action back onto the person performing it. This is a fundamental concept in Slavic languages that allows for precise expression of daily life and social interactions.
- Мити (to wash [something else, like a car or a plate]) → Митися (to wash [oneself]).
- Одягати (to dress [someone else, like a child]) → Одягатися (to get dressed/dress oneself).
- Вчити (to teach [someone else]) → Вчитися (to study/teach oneself).
Today, you'll learn how to talk about your daily routine, social interactions, and even your feelings using these special verbs! You'll find that these verbs are everywhere in Ukrainian, from the moment you wake up to the moment you say goodbye to a friend.
💡 Did You Know?
-ся is short for себе (self). Historically, it was a separate word (a reflexive pronoun) that could move around in the sentence. Over many centuries, it eventually "glued" itself to the end of verbs to become a permanent suffix! This is why it always comes after the personal endings of the verb.
Presentation
The Magic Suffix: -ся vs. -сь
While the concept is simple, the form of the suffix changes slightly to keep the language sounding melodic and easy to speak. The rule is based on the sound that comes immediately before the suffix:
- -ся (used after consonants): він миється, ти вчишся. Most personal endings in Ukrainian end in a consonant, so you will see this form very often.
- -сь (used after vowels): я миюсь, ми вчимось, ви вчитесь. This shortens the sound and prevents a "vowel clash," making the transition smoother.
⚡ Pronunciation Hack
One of the most important things for a beginner to master is the pronunciation of the ending -ться. Although it looks like it should be pronounced literally, in standard Ukrainian, it sounds like a long, soft buzzing [t͡sʲːɑ] sound (like a very soft "ts-ts-ya"). Сміється (he laughs) = /smiˈjɛt͡sʲːɑ/ Називається (it is called) = /nɑzɪˈvɑjet͡sʲːɑ/
Conjugation Pattern
Reflexive verbs are not "new" verbs to memorize from scratch. They follow the exact same First or Second Conjugation rules you have already mastered. The only difference is that you first conjugate the base verb as usual, and then tack on the appropriate reflexive suffix -ся/-сь at the very end.
Example: називатися (to be called / name oneself) First Conjugation (-ати pattern)
| Person | Conjugation | Ending Rule | English |
|---|---|---|---|
| Я | називаюсь | (ю [vowel] + сь) | I am called |
| Ти | називаєшся | (еш [consonant] + ся) | You are called |
| Він/Вона | називається | (е + ться [special rule]) | He/She/It is called |
| Ми | називаємось | (мо [vowel] + сь) | We are called |
| Ви | називаєтесь | (те [vowel] + сь) | You are called |
| Вони | називаються | (ють [consonant] + ся) | They are called |
Three Types of -ся Verbs
Understanding why a verb is reflexive will help you remember them more easily. We can group them into three main categories:
1. True Reflexive (Action on Self) These are actions you do to your own body or mind.
- Вмиватися (to wash one's face/body).
- Одягатися (to dress oneself).
- Готуватися (to prepare oneself/get ready).
- Голитися (to shave oneself).
2. Reciprocal (Action with Each Other) These actions require at least two people doing something together.
- Зустрічатися (to meet with someone).
- Вітатися (to greet each other).
- Цілуватися (to kiss each other).
- Знайомитися (to get acquainted/meet for the first time).
- «Ми зустрічаємось біля метро» = We are meeting by the metro.
3. «Just Because» (Lexicalized) Some verbs in Ukrainian simply must have the reflexive suffix. They don't necessarily imply "self," but the verb doesn't exist without it, or its meaning changes completely.
- Сміятися (to laugh).
- Усміхатися (to smile).
- Дивитися (to watch/look).
- Подобатися (to like/be pleasing to).
- Боятися (to be afraid).
Irregularities: сміятися & дивитися
Even though these verbs are common, they have some quirks in their conjugation that you should watch out for.
сміятися (to laugh) Despite the -яти ending, this verb follows the First Conjugation vowel pattern (-є-).
- Я сміюсь.
- Ти смієшся.
- Він сміється.
- Ми сміємось.
- Ви смієтесь.
- Вони сміються.
дивитися (to look/watch) This is a standard Second Conjugation verb, but it features a consonant mutation in the first person singular (Я). The letter в changes to вл.
- Я дивлюсь (Notice the extra л!).
- Ти дивишся.
- Він дивиться.
- Ми дивимось.
- Ви дивитесь.
- Вони дивляться.
When you want to ask «What is this called?» in Ukrainian, you are literally asking «How does this name itself?». This is the most natural way to learn new vocabulary! — Як це називається? — Це називається телефон. (This calls itself a phone.) — Як ти називаєшся? (What is your name? - Informal variant of "Як тебе звати?")
Mini-Dialogue 1: Meeting Up
Андрій: Привіт! Як ти? Олена: Привіт! Все добре. Я збираюся (am getting ready) на роботу. Андрій: А я відпочиваю. Олена: Ти дивишся фільм? Андрій: Так, я дивлюсь комедію. Я багато сміюсь!
Translation:
— Hi! How are you?
— Hi! All good. I'm getting ready for work.
— And I'm resting.
— Are you watching a movie?
— Yes, I'm watching a comedy. I laugh a lot!
Mini-Dialogue 2: Morning Routine
Мама: Ти вже прокинувся? (Have you woken up? - Past Tense preview!) Син: Так, я вмиваюсь. Мама: Ти снідаєш? Син: Ні, я ще одягаюсь.
Cultural Insight
The «Smile» Culture
In some cultures, smiling at strangers is normal. in Ukraine, a smile (усмішка) is often reserved for friends and genuine moments. If a stranger doesn't smile at you on the street, it's not rudeness—it's neutrality. But when Ukrainians сміються (laugh) with you, it's 100% sincere!
📋 Підсумок
You've unlocked the -ся verbs!
- Formula: Conjugate verb + add -ся (consonants) or -сь (vowels).
- Meaning: Action on self (одягатися), together (зустрічатися), or state (сміятися).
- Pronunciation: -ться = [ц':а].
Next up: Module 10 - Checkpoint! You'll review everything from M01-M09.
Need More Practice?
External Review
🎯 Activities
Reflexive Verbs Meanings
Conjugation Drill (Present Tense)
Find the Mistake
Which sentence uses the correct reflexive ending?
Which form is correct for 'I watch'?
Which sentence uses the correct reflexive ending?
Which of these sentences has a verb error?
Which sentence has the wrong verb ending?
Which of these reflexive sentences is wrong?
Which sentence uses the wrong reflexive form?
Which of these sentences has a conjugation error?
Identify the error in: "Вона сміються."
Identify the error in: "Ми називаєшся."
Identify the error in: "Ви дивиться."
Identify the error in: "Ти миється."
Dialogue: Morning Routine
Reflexive Concepts
-ся stands for 'себе' (self).
You use -ся after vowels.
Сміятися is a reflexive verb (washing oneself).
Reflexive verbs are always 2nd conjugation.
Називатися means 'to name someone'.
Зустрічатися implies meeting each other (reciprocal).
Дивитися follows a special pattern (дивл-) in 'I' form.
-ся always changes to -сь after consonants.
The ending -ться sounds like [ts'a].
Подобатися means 'to like'.
Готуватися means 'to prepare oneself'.
You use -сь after the ending -мо.
Match Person to Verb
Context Quiz
You see a funny movie. You...
You see a friend on the street. You...
You get out of bed in the morning. You...
You put on your clothes in the morning. You...
You wash your face in the morning. You...
You look in a mirror before leaving. You...
You are late for work or school. You...
You meet a friend at a cafe. You...
You and your partner are in love. You...
You see a joke. You...
You are getting ready for a party. You...
You like this city. It...
Sentence Builder
📚 Vocabulary
| Word | IPA | English | POS | Gender | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| вмиватися | /ʋmɪʋˈatɪsja/ | to wash one's face | verb | ||
| вітатися | /ʋitˈatɪsja/ | to greet each other | verb | ||
| дивити | /dɪʋɪtɪ/ | to look | verb | ||
| збиратися | /zbɪrˈatɪsja/ | to gather, to intend | verb | ||
| комедія | /kɔmˈɛdija/ | comedy | noun | ж | |
| мита | /mˈɪta/ | duties, taxes | noun | ж | |
| мити | /mˈɪtɪ/ | to wash | verb | ||
| митися | /mˈɪtɪsja/ | to wash oneself | verb | ||
| одягати | /ɔdjaɦˈatɪ/ | to put on (clothes) | verb | ||
| одягатися | /ɔdjaɦˈatɪsja/ | to get dressed | verb | ||
| прокинутися | /prɔkˈɪnutɪsja/ | to wake up (perfective) | verb | ||
| сміти | /smˈitɪ/ | to dare | verb | ||
| сміятися | /smiˈjatɪsja/ | to laugh | verb | ||
| усміхатися | /usmixˈatɪsja/ | to smile | verb | ||
| усмішка | /ˈusmiʃka/ | smile | noun | ж | |
| цілуватися | /t͡siluʋˈatɪsja/ | to kiss each other (imperfective) | verb |