What is a reflexive verb (verbo riflessivo)? A verb is reflexive when the action carried out by the subject is performed on the same subject. Not all verbs are reflexive. In order to make a verb reflexive, drop the -e of its infinitive ending and add the pronoun si. For example, pettinare (to comb) becomes pettinarsi (to comb oneself) in the reflexive. Si is an additional pronoun, known as the reflexive pronoun, which is needed when conjugating reflexive verbs.

　　The reflexive pronouns (i pronomi reflessivi), mi, ti, si, ci, vi, si, are identical in form to direct object pronouns, except for the third-person form si (which is the same in the singular and in the plural). The following table includes the reflexive pronouns in Italian.

　　Mi alzo. (I'm getting up.)

　　Voglio alzarmi./Mi voglio alzare. (I want to get up.)

　　Mi, ti, si, and vi may drop the i before another vowel or an h and replace it with an apostrophe. Ci may drop the i only before another i or an e:

　　Voi v'arrabbiate facilmente. (You get angry easily.)

　　I ragazzi s'alzano alle sette. (The boys woke up at seven o'clock.)

　　A casa, m'annoio. (At home, I get bored.)

　　For a list of common reflexive verbs in Italian, see the following table.

　　Tu ti alzi. (You get up.)

　　Tu alzi la sedia. (You lift the chair.)