Reflexive verbs in Italian

Formation and use of reflexive verbs

The verbs are called reflexive when the action is projected on oneself (specifically on the person who is speaking).

In Italian, reflexive verbs consist of two elements:

Verb + particles si (if the verb is in the infinitive form)
For example:
lavarsi – to wash (= to take a shower, i.e. to wash oneself)
vestirsi – to get (yourself) dressed
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When conjugating a reflexive verb, the particle si changes in singularities and numbers, transforming into:

mi – used for first person singular (io)
ti – used for second person singular (tu)
si – used for third person singular (lui, lei, Lei)
ci – used for first person plural (noi)
vi – used for second person plural (voi)
si – used for third person plural (loro)

Herewith, the reflexive particle si is placed in front of the «tail» of the verb.
For example:
lavarsi – to wash (= to take a shower, i.e. to wash oneself)
io mi lavo
tu ti lavi
lui/lei si lava
ci laviamo
vi lavate
si lavano
vestirsi – to get (yourself) dressed
io mi vesto
tu ti vesti
lui/lei si veste
noi ci vestiamo
voi vi vestite
loro si vestono
As we can see, the verbs lavare and vestire (without reflexive particles) are conjugated according to the rules of conjugation of I and III verb groups. The only difference is who the action is directed to:

lavare – to wash (someone)
lavarsi – to wash (oneself)
Thus, in the conventional sense, reflexive verbs indicate:
The action that subject performs on oneself:

lavarsi – to wash (oneself)
rasarsi – to shave (oneself)
pettinarsi – to comb (oneself/one's own hair)
spogliarsi – to undress (oneself)
innamorarsi – to fall in love etc.

For example:
Ci laviamo due volte al giorno. – We wash ourselves (= we take a shower) twice a day.
Vi alzate dal tavolo. – You get up from the table.
Also, the action can be reciprocal, i.e. directed at each other:

incontrarsi – to meet (one another)
sentirsi al telefono – to call (each other) / to talk (with each other) on the phone
amarsi – to love each other
volersi bene – to love each other
vedersi – to see each other

For example:
Ci vediamo stasera alle 7. – See you at 7pm tonight.
Vi sentite ogni domenica. – You call each other every Sunday.
I miei genitori si vogliono bene. – My parents love each other.

Reflexive verbs conjugation

As mentioned above, the conjugation scheme of reflexive verbs is quite simple: the reflexive particle, which is placed firstly (mi (me), ti (you), si (him / her), ci (us), vi (you), si (them) depending on the person and number) + verb (depending on the conjugation group it belongs to).
First conjugation verbs
pettinarsi – to comb (oneself/one's own hair)
mi pettin-o
ti pettin-i
si pettin-a
ci pettin-iamo
vi pettin-ate
si pettin-ano
Second conjugation verbs
mettersi – to put something on (oneself) / to settle down to (do something)
mi mett-o
ti mett-i
si mett-e
ci mett-iamo
vi mett-ete
si mett-ono
Third conjugation verbs
coprirsi – to cover (oneself) up
mi copr-o
ti copr-i
si copr-e
ci copr-iamo
vi copr-ite
si copr-ono
Verbs with the -isc suffix
trasferirsi – to relocate / to move
mi trasfer-isc-o
ti trasfer-isc-i
si trasfer-isc-e
ci trasfer-iamo
vi trasfer-ite
si trasfer-isc-ono

Reflexive verbs with modal verbs

In combination with modal verbs (volere – to want, potere – to be able, dovere – to be obliged / have to), two variants are possible:
The reflexive particle is placed before the modal verb. In this case, we have the following scheme:

Reflexive particle + modal verb + verb in the infinitive form

For example:
Mi devo lavare le mani. – I have to wash my hands.
Сi dobbiamo pettinare. – We have to comb our hair.
The reflexive particle is placed in the "tail" of the reflexive verb. In this case, we have the following scheme:

Modal verb + verb in the infinitive form with the reflexive particle

Например:

Devo lavarmi le mani. – I have to wash my hands.
Dobbiamo pettinarci. – We have to comb our hair.