Italian Reflexive Verbs Made Easy: Mi sveglio, ti vesti! (A2)

Ever say “I get up” or “I call myself” in Italian and feel unsure? Reflexive verbs are your new best friends for daily routines. In this lesson, you’ll learn how to use them naturally: waking up, getting dressed, introducing yourself, and more—plus quick exercises to lock it in.

What are reflexive verbs?

In Italian, a reflexive verb shows the action reflects back on the subject—like when you get yourself up or wash yourself. You’ll recognize reflexive verbs by the infinitive ending “-si,” for example:

  • svegliarsi (to wake up)
  • alzarsi (to get up)
  • lavarsi (to wash oneself)
  • vestirsi (to get dressed)
  • chiamarsi (to be called, literally “to call oneself”)

Reflexive verbs use reflexive pronouns before the verb:

  • mi (io)
  • ti (tu)
  • si (lui/lei)
  • ci (noi)
  • vi (voi)
  • si (loro)

Example: Io mi sveglio alle sette. Tu ti svegli alle otto.

Io sveglio alle sette.

Devo mi svegliare presto. → Devo svegliarmi presto. Attach the pronoun to the infinitive or place it before the modal: "Mi devo svegliare" is also correct.
🔠 Put the words in order

Build a sentence meaning “I must wake up early.”

Conjugating a reflexive verb (presente)

Let’s use “svegliarsi” (to wake up) in the present tense. Remember: the verb part follows the normal -are pattern, and you add the reflexive pronoun.

svegliarsi presente
Pronoun Conjugation
io sveglio
tu sveglii
lui/lei sveglia
noi svegliamo
voi svegliate
loro svegliano
Italian
Io mi sveglio alle sette e poi mi alzo.
I wake up at seven and then I get up.
Italian
Lei si veste velocemente prima di uscire.
She gets dressed quickly before going out.
Italian
Noi ci laviamo le mani prima di mangiare.
We wash our hands before eating.

Core reflexive verbs for your routine

These are the most useful reflexive verbs you’ll hear every day. Read, repeat, and notice the pattern.

svegliarsi
to wake up
verb
Mi sveglio presto il lunedì.
I wake up early on Monday.
alzarsi
to get up
verb
Ti alzi subito o resti a letto?
Do you get up right away or stay in bed?
lavarsi
to wash oneself
verb
Si lava il viso con acqua fredda.
He washes his face with cold water.
vestirsi
to get dressed
verb
Ci vestiamo per uscire.
We get dressed to go out.
chiamarsi
to be called (to call oneself)
verb
Mi chiamo Sara.
My name is Sara.
rilassarsi
to relax
verb
Dopo il lavoro mi rilasso sul divano.
After work I relax on the sofa.
sentirsi
to feel (oneself)
verb
Oggi mi sento meglio.
Today I feel better.
addormentarsi
to fall asleep
verb
Vi addormentate tardi?
Do you fall asleep late?
mettersi
to put on (clothes)
verb
Mi metto una giacca.
I put on a jacket.

Quick practice: Can you pick the right form?

Test yourself with these everyday choices.

🧠 Reflexive Check

Reflexives in the passato prossimo

When talking about yesterday’s routine, reflexive verbs use "essere" and the past participle agrees in gender and number with the subject:

  • Ieri mi sono svegliato alle sette. (masculine)
  • Ieri mi sono svegliata alle sette. (feminine)
  • Ci siamo divertiti al concerto. (group with at least one male)
  • Ci siamo divertite alla festa. (all-female group)

This is very natural in Italian when describing personal actions and feelings.

Ieri sono svegliato alle sette.

💬 Morning chat
chiamare verb base -si reflexive marker
svegliare verb base -si reflexive marker

Non posso tardi.

Cultural note: Introducing yourself

Italians commonly use "Mi chiamo + name" to introduce themselves. You’ll also hear "Sono + name" (e.g., "Sono Marco"), which is fine in informal contexts. In more formal situations (or on the phone), "Mi chiamo" sounds polite and standard.

A small lifestyle note: discussions about daily routine often include breakfast habits. You’ll hear "fare colazione" (to have breakfast) frequently. Pair it with reflexives to sound natural: "Mi sveglio, mi vesto, e poi faccio colazione."

Italian
Mi chiamo Luca. Piacere!
My name is Luca. Nice to meet you!
Italian
Non mi voglio alzare presto la domenica.
I don’t want to get up early on Sunday.
Mi ho svegliato tardi. → Mi sono svegliato tardi. Use "essere" with reflexives in the passato prossimo: "mi sono..."

Summary and small steps to fluency

  • Spot the "-si" to identify reflexive verbs.
  • Use mi/ti/si/ci/vi/si before the verb, or attach to the infinitive after modal verbs.
  • In the passato prossimo, use "essere" and make the participle agree.
  • Practice with everyday actions: mi sveglio, mi alzo, mi vesto, mi rilasso.

Keep these phrases handy, repeat them out loud, and try describing your own routine today. Hai capito? Ci vediamo nella prossima lezione!