Reflexive 'Si' (Indirect)
Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds
Use 'si' when the action benefits yourself or involves your own body parts.
- Use 'si' for actions done to oneself: 'Koupil jsem si auto' (I bought myself a car).
- Use 'si' with body parts: 'Čistím si zuby' (I am cleaning my teeth).
- Use 'si' for mental processes: 'Myslím si, že...' (I think that...).
Meanings
The particle 'si' is the dative form of the reflexive pronoun 'se'. It indicates that the subject is the recipient of the action or that the action is performed for the subject's own benefit.
Benefactive
Doing something for oneself.
“Koupil jsem si knihu.”
“Uvařím si čaj.”
Body Parts
Actions involving one's own body.
“Čistím si zuby.”
“Myju si ruce.”
Mental/Internal
Internal thoughts or states.
“Myslím si to.”
“Říkám si, že je to hezké.”
Reflexive 'si' Placement
| Subject | Verb | Particle | Object |
|---|---|---|---|
| Já | kupuji | si | auto |
| Ty | kupuješ | si | auto |
| On/Ona | kupuje | si | auto |
| My | kupujeme | si | auto |
| Vy | kupujete | si | auto |
| Oni | kupují | si | auto |
Reference Table
| Form | Structure | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Affirmative | Subj + Verb + si | Dám si čaj. |
| Negative | Subj + ne-Verb + si | Nedám si čaj. |
| Question | Verb + si + Subj? | Dáš si čaj? |
| Past | Subj + Verb-l + si | Dal jsem si čaj. |
| Future | Subj + budu + si + Inf | Budu si dávat čaj. |
| Imperative | Verb-si | Dej si! |
Formalitätsspektrum
Dopřeji si šálek kávy. (Ordering in a cafe)
Dám si kávu. (Ordering in a cafe)
Dám si kafe. (Ordering in a cafe)
Dám si bůra. (Ordering in a cafe)
The 'si' Universe
Body
- zuby teeth
- ruce hands
Benefit
- koupit to buy
- uvařit to cook
Mental
- myslet to think
- představit to imagine
Examples by Level
Dám si kávu.
I will have a coffee.
Koupím si auto.
I will buy myself a car.
Půjčím si knihu.
I will borrow a book.
Uvařím si čaj.
I will make myself tea.
Čistím si zuby.
I am brushing my teeth.
Myju si ruce.
I am washing my hands.
Češu si vlasy.
I am combing my hair.
Myslím si, že je to dobré.
I think that it is good.
Představuji si to jinak.
I imagine it differently.
Říkám si, jestli přijde.
I am wondering if he will come.
Vzal jsem si dovolenou.
I took a vacation.
Zvykám si na nové město.
I am getting used to the new city.
Zahrál jsem si fotbal.
I played some football.
Postavil jsem si dům.
I built myself a house.
Vybírám si z nabídky.
I am choosing from the offer.
Slibuji si od toho hodně.
I expect a lot from this.
Dopřál jsem si luxusní večeři.
I treated myself to a luxury dinner.
Uvědomuji si vážnost situace.
I realize the seriousness of the situation.
Vymínil jsem si podmínky.
I stipulated the conditions.
Získal jsem si jeho důvěru.
I gained his trust.
Vzal si to k srdci.
He took it to heart.
Pohrávám si s myšlenkou.
I am toying with the idea.
Vychoval jsem si ho.
I raised him (as my protégé).
Zjednal jsem si pořádek.
I restored order.
Easily Confused
Learners mix up direct and indirect objects.
Learners omit 'si' when it's required for the verb.
Using 'mi' instead of 'si'.
Häufige Fehler
Myju ruce.
Myju si ruce.
Koupil auto.
Koupil si auto.
Dám kávu.
Dám si kávu.
Čistím zuby.
Čistím si zuby.
Myslím, že...
Myslím si, že...
Půjčil peníze.
Půjčil si peníze.
Představuji to.
Představuji si to.
Zvykám na to.
Zvykám si na to.
Vzal dovolenou.
Vzal si dovolenou.
Slibuji hodně.
Slibuji si hodně.
Uvědomuji vážnost.
Uvědomuji si vážnost.
Vymínil podmínky.
Vymínil si podmínky.
Pohrávám s myšlenkou.
Pohrávám si s myšlenkou.
Sentence Patterns
Dám si ___.
Čistím si ___.
Myslím si, že ___.
Představuji si ___.
Real World Usage
Dám si pizzu.
Užívám si dovolenou!
Představuji si svou roli takto.
Půjčím si auto.
Myslím si, že jo.
Myjte si ruce.
The 'For Me' Test
Don't skip it!
Body Parts
Natural Sounding
Smart Tips
Always add 'si' to 'dát' (to give/have).
Use 'si' for every grooming action.
Use 'si' with 'myslet'.
Use 'si' with 'dát za cíl'.
Aussprache
Stress
'si' is a clitic and is never stressed.
Statement
Dám si kávu ↘
Neutral declarative
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Think of 'si' as 'Self-Interest'. If the action serves your interest, add 'si'.
Visual Association
Imagine a mirror. When you look at yourself, you see 'se'. When you hand yourself a gift, you use 'si'.
Rhyme
When the action is for me, 'si' is where it ought to be.
Story
Petr is hungry. He cooks for himself (uvaří si). He brushes his teeth (čistí si zuby). He thinks to himself (myslí si), 'This is a good day'.
Word Web
Herausforderung
Spend 5 minutes describing your morning routine using 'si' for every action.
Kulturelle Hinweise
Using 'si' is a sign of good command of the language. It shows you understand the personal nature of actions.
Derived from the Proto-Slavic reflexive pronoun *sę (accusative) and *sebě (dative).
Conversation Starters
Co si dáš k pití?
Co si myslíš o tomto filmu?
Co si představuješ pod pojmem úspěch?
Jaké cíle si dáváš pro příští rok?
Journal Prompts
Test Yourself
Dávám ___ kávu.
Which is correct?
Find and fix the mistake:
Myslím, že je to hezké.
Kupuji auto. (for myself)
'si' changes based on the subject.
A: Co si dáš? B: ___.
si / auto / koupil / jsem
Which takes 'si'?
Score: /8
Ubungsaufgaben
8 exercisesDávám ___ kávu.
Which is correct?
Find and fix the mistake:
Myslím, že je to hezké.
Kupuji auto. (for myself)
'si' changes based on the subject.
A: Co si dáš? B: ___.
si / auto / koupil / jsem
Which takes 'si'?
Score: /8
FAQ (8)
No, 'si' is invariant. It is always 'si' regardless of the subject.
It's the standard Czech way to show possession and personal involvement.
No, only with verbs where the action benefits the subject or involves the subject's body.
No, 'se' is for direct objects (reflexive), 'si' is for indirect objects (dative).
Your sentence might be understood, but it will sound unnatural or grammatically incorrect.
Yes, it is used in all registers, including formal writing.
Check a dictionary; reflexive verbs are usually marked as 'se' or 'si'.
No, 'si' always refers back to the subject of the sentence.
In Other Languages
se
Czech has two distinct forms, Spanish uses one.
se
Czech differentiates dative and accusative reflexives.
sich
German 'sich' is invariant for person/case.
jibun
Czech uses a clitic particle; Japanese uses a pronoun.
nafs
Arabic uses a noun-based approach.
zìjǐ
Czech uses a particle; Chinese uses a pronoun.
