-ся动词的使用

未完成体的被动结构

具有反身意义的动词(-cя = себя )

带-ся反身动词表示(自己)做什么;去掉 -ся 后表示给(谁)做什么,其中谁应是四格

相互、互相

表达不由自主行为

只存在带-ся的动词

In theory

The reflexive is used when a subject performs an action “on itself”. In English it is generally not stated explicitly. When you say that someone shaves or stops, it is understood that the action relates to themselves, unless a different “object” is provided.

These verbs end in –ся /-сь in Russian («ся» after a consonant, «сь» after a vowel)

As a rule, these verbs never take a direct object in the Accusative. «Бояться» (to be afraid of) is one of the few exceptions, in that it can use Accusative for people.

In practice

Russian reflexive verbs may mean a number of things. Here are the most popular meanings:

  • true reflexive: мыться, бриться. Mostly for verbs like “wash”, “shave”, “comb your hair”.
  • reciprocal (“each other”): встречаться, целоваться, “meet/date/go out with”, “kiss”.
  • passive (for imperfective verbs only): Еда готовится лучшими поварами. “The food is (being) prepared by the best chefs”
  • emotional state or some movement/change: родиться, удивиться, учиться, радоваться, меняться, двигаться, “to be born”, “to be surprised”, “to learn”, “to be glad”, “to change”, “to move”.
  • inclination to do something (in impersonal constructions): Мне не спится = I do not feel like sleeping.
  • lexical verbs that are reflexive for no particular reason: нравиться, бояться, заниматься, садиться. Some of these are only used with «-ся». Some also exist in a “bare” form but mean a completely different thing.

We do not have several non-reflexive base verbs in the course (some are rare or just a little beyond what we could include). However, some just don’t exist.