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A2Verbs and tenses

Reflexive verbs and pronouns

Describe an action directed back at its subject.

Bokmål · nb-NO
GRAMMATIKK · BOKMÅL

Reflexive verbs and pronouns

Verbs such as kle på seg take a pronoun referring back to the subject. Use jeg kler på meg, du kler på deg, and seg with han, hun or de.

The rule, step by step

  1. Learn the verb with its pronoun when it belongs to the expression, such as glede seg til.
  2. Match the pronoun to the subject: jeg → meg, du → deg, vi → oss, third person → seg.
  3. Compare Hun vasker seg when she washes herself with Hun vasker henne when she washes another woman.

Sentence pattern

jeg → meg · du → deg · han/hun/de → seg · vi → oss · dere → dere

Compare forms and usage
BokmålMeaning or use
Jeg gleder meg.I am looking forward to it.
Du gleder deg.You are looking forward to it.
Hun gleder seg.She is looking forward to it.
Vi gleder oss.We are looking forward to it.

Everyday examples

Example 1

Jeg kler på meg.

I am getting dressed.

Example 2

Hun setter seg på stolen.

She sits down on the chair.

Example 3

Vi gleder oss til helgen.

We are looking forward to the weekend.

Example 4

Barna vasker seg før middag.

The children wash themselves before dinner.

A common error or a difference in meaning

Form to review

Hun setter henne på stolen.

Correct form for the intended meaning

Hun setter seg på stolen.

Use seg when she herself sits down. Henne refers to another woman in this example.

Put the rule into practice

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VELG

Choose the form that fits the rule and meaning explained in this lesson.

FYLL INN

Complete the gap using the appropriate form of the given word.

Given word: vi

Vi gleder _____ til ferien.

SETT I REKKEFØLGE

Rebuild the example, starting with “Jeg”: I am getting dressed.

…

Continue with the same subject

Present tense A1Past tense A2Plans with skal A2Irregular past tense A2

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