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      Everyday actions and routines: using singular verbs reflexively

      Lesson details

      Learning outcome

      I can use verbs reflexively to talk about daily routines and personal actions.

      Vocabulary and transcripts for this lessons

      Key learning points

      1. Using exclamations to give conversational reactions can make our German sound more natural.
      2. Many verbs can be used reflexively to show the action is being done to oneself, e.g., 'sich waschen' - 'to have a wash'.
      3. The meaning of a verb may change slightly when used reflexively, e.g., 'Sie setzt sie/sich hin': She puts her/sits down.
      4. Reflexive pronouns are 'mich' myself, 'dich' yourself and 'sich' him/her/itself. 'Mich/dich' also mean 'me/you'.
      5. Context is important when understanding the intended meaning of pronouns like 'mich' and 'dich'.

      Keywords

      • Reflexive - describes an action where the subject and object of the verb are the same

      • Reflexive pronoun - used to indicate doing something to yourself, words like ‘myself’ and ‘yourself’

      Common misconception

      'Mich' and 'dich' are only direct object pronouns meaning me and you.

      'Mich' and 'dich' can also be reflexive pronouns and then mean myself and yourself. Reflexive pronouns are required when using a verb reflexively.

      Teacher tip

      The story in Learning Cycle 3 has a poetic rhythm which teachers may wish to exploit further by encouraging students to read aloud with emphasis on intonation.

      Equipment

      A mini whiteboard and pen, together with pen and paper for making notes, would be useful, if available.

      Licence

      This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2026), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0
      except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions
      (Collection 2).

      Lesson video

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      Prior knowledge starter quiz

      6 Questions

      Q1.
      Match the German and English.

      Correct Answer:Sohn,son
      Correct Answer:Tochter,daughter
      Correct Answer:Vater,father
      Correct Answer:Schwester,sister
      Correct Answer:Tante,aunt
      Correct Answer:Mutter,mother

      Q2.
      Match the German and English.

      Correct Answer:fragen,to ask, asking
      Correct Answer:lachen,to laugh, laughing
      Correct Answer:schlafen,to sleep, sleeping
      Correct Answer:tragen,to carry, to wear
      Correct Answer:probieren,to try, to test
      Correct Answer:finden,to find, finding

      Q3.
      Match the German and English.

      Correct Answer:ich bin,I am
      Correct Answer:ich habe,I have
      Correct Answer:ich war,I was
      Correct Answer:ich kann,I can
      Correct Answer:ich weiß,I know

      Q4.
      Fill in the gap in the following sentence: 'Sie müde.' ('She is becoming tired.')

      Correct Answer: wird

      Q5.
      Fill in the gap in the following sentence: 'Meine Schwester hat Hunger.' ('My little sister is hungry.')

      Correct Answer: kleine

      Q6.
      How do you say 10:45pm in German?

      zweiundzwanzig Uhr vierundfünfzig
      Correct answer: zweiundzwanzig Uhr fünfundvierzig
      zehn Uhr fünfundvierzig
      Viertel vor zehn

      5 Questions

      Q1.
      Match the German and English.

      Correct Answer:anziehen,to put on, putting on
      Correct Answer:fühlen,to feel, feeling
      Correct Answer:halten,to hold, to stop
      Correct Answer:nennen,to name, naming
      Correct Answer:waschen,to wash, washing

      Q2.
      Which sentence uses a reflexive verb correctly?

      Ich halte den Stuhl.
      Ich wasche das Auto.
      Correct answer: Ich wasche mich.
      Ich fühle das Kissen.

      Q3.
      Order the words to make a correct reflexive sentence.

      1 - ich
      2 - fühle
      3 - mich
      4 - wohl

      Q4.
      Translate into English: 'Sie setzt sich auf den Stuhl.'

      Correct Answer: She sits down on the chair, she sits on the chair, she sits herself on the chair, She sits down onto the chair

      Q5.
      Order the words to make a correct reflexive sentence with a modal verb.

      1 - sie
      2 - möchte
      3 - sich
      4 - waschen

      To help you plan your 9 German lesson on: Everyday actions and routines: using singular verbs reflexively, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...