Reflexive Pronoun 'się'

01

Reflexive Actions (Myself, Yourself)

The most literal use of się corresponds to the English reflexive pronouns. You use it when the subject performs an action upon themselves.

• Myję się codziennie.

  I wash myself every day.

• Ona czuje się dobrze.

  She feels (herself) good.

• Skaleczyłeś się?

  Did you cut yourself?

02

Verbs That Require 'Się'

In Polish, many verbs are permanently paired with się. In these instances, the pronoun does not literally mean "myself" or "yourself"; it is simply a grammatical requirement for that specific verb. Often, removing się changes the meaning of the verb entirely or makes it grammatically incorrect.

• Uczyć means to teach, but uczyć się means to learn (literally "to teach oneself").
• Bać się means to be afraid.
• Śmiać się means to laugh.

• Uczę się polskiego.

  I am learning Polish.

• Dlaczego się śmiejesz?

  Why are you laughing?

• Marek boi się psów.

  Marek is afraid of dogs.

03

Reciprocal Actions (Each Other)

When used with a plural subject (we, you all, they), się often indicates that the people are performing the action on each other. Context usually makes it clear whether the meaning is reflexive (themselves) or reciprocal (each other).

• Znamy się ze szkoły.

  We know each other from school.

• Oni się kochają.

  They love each other.

• Spotykamy się jutro.

  We are meeting (each other) tomorrow.

04

Impersonal Statements

Się is frequently used to create impersonal sentences. These are statements where the specific "doer" of the action is not defined, similar to the English passive voice or the use of "one" or generic "you".

• Jak to się mówi?

  How is this said? (How do you say this?)

• Tu się nie pali.

  Smoking is not allowed here. (One does not smoke here.)

• Dobrze się tu mieszka.

  It is good to live here. (One lives well here.)

05

Word Order

While Polish word order is generally flexible, there is one strict rule for się: it generally cannot stand at the very beginning of a sentence. It usually appears immediately before or after the verb, but it can float elsewhere in the sentence to improve rhythm or emphasis.

• Cieszę się, że jesteś.

  I am glad that you are here.

• Ona się nie martwi.

  She is not worrying.