Reflexive verbs in Lithuanian show that an action is directed back at the subject.

You use them when you’re doing something to yourself, like getting dressed or washing up.

They’re an essential part of daily conversation.

I’ll explain exactly how to spot them, conjugate them, and use them correctly.

How to recognize reflexive verbs

Spotting a reflexive verb in Lithuanian is very easy once you know what to look for.

You just need to look at the very end of the word.

Lithuanian reflexive verbs always end in the particle -s or -si.

If you see these letters attached to the end of a regular verb, it means the action reflects back on the person doing it.

Here’s a simple comparison using the infinitive form.

As you can see, we simply added the -s to the end of the root verb to make it reflexive.

When to use reflexive verbs

There are three main situations where you absolutely need to use reflexive verbs in Lithuanian.

Actions done to yourself

This is the most common use case.

Whenever you perform a routine action on your own body, you must use the reflexive form.

This includes daily habits like brushing your teeth, combing your hair, or getting dressed.

Mutual or reciprocal actions

Reflexive verbs are also used when two or more people are doing an action to each other.

Instead of saying “we see each other,” Lithuanians use the reflexive form of “to see.”

This applies to actions like meeting, hugging, or arguing.

Inherent states and emotions

Some Lithuanian verbs simply don’t exist without their reflexive endings.

These verbs often describe emotions, spontaneous actions, or states of being.

For example, the verb for “to laugh” is inherently reflexive.

Conjugating Lithuanian reflexive verbs

Conjugating these verbs follows the same general rules as regular Lithuanian verbs.

The main difference is that you have to keep that reflexive particle attached to the ending.

Below is a conjugation table for the present tense of mokytis (to learn).

There’s one important exception you need to remember about prefixes.

If a verb has a prefix attached to the front of it, the reflexive particle jumps into the middle of the word.

It places itself directly between the prefix and the root of the verb as -si-.

For example, the verb rengtis (to get dressed) combined with the prefix ap- becomes apsirengti.

Verbs that change meaning when reflexive

Adding a reflexive ending doesn’t always just mean doing something to yourself.

Sometimes, adding -s or -si completely changes the translation of the word in English.

You’ll need to memorize these pairs because they’re incredibly common.

The most famous example is the difference between teaching and learning.

Another great example involves feeling things.

Pay close attention to these small changes when you’re listening to native Lithuanian speakers.