Come ti chiami?
What's your name?
IPA /ˈkome ti ˈkjami/
Say it KOH-meh tee KYAH-mee
Literally: how do you call yourself?
Lesson 7 of 16
Daily Routine and Reflexive Verbs
Talk about your normal day in Italian: wake up, get up, wash, get dressed and go to bed. Master reflexive verbs with mi, ti, si, ci, vi, si, the -isc verbs capire, finire, preferire and pulire, and the everyday commands Alzati! and Sbrigati!
What you will learn
- Use the reflexive pronouns mi, ti, si, ci, vi, si with present-tense verbs
- Conjugate the core reflexive verbs: chiamarsi, svegliarsi, alzarsi, lavarsi, vestirsi, riposarsi, addormentarsi, innamorarsi, sposarsi
- Describe a normal day in sequence with prima, poi and dopo
- Say when you wake up and when you go to bed
- Use the -isc verbs capire, finire, preferire and pulire in the present tense
- Give two everyday commands: Alzati! and Sbrigati!
Quick review
Say these aloud before you start. They come from earlier lessons.
- Parlo inglese. I speak English.
- Dove abiti? Where do you live?
- Non mangiamo carne. We do not eat meat.
- Ho una domanda. I have a question.
- Quando lavorate? When do you (all) work?
- Ho parlato con il direttore. I spoke with the manager.
Theory
Reflexive verbs: the action comes back to you
Many everyday actions in Italian are reflexive: the person doing the action also receives it. In the dictionary these verbs end in -si: svegliarsi (to wake up), alzarsi (to get up), lavarsi (to wash).
In a sentence, remove -si and place the right reflexive pronoun directly before the verb: mi, ti, si, ci, vi, si. So alzarsi becomes mi alzo (I get up), ti alzi (you get up), si alza (he/she gets up), ci alziamo, vi alzate, si alzano. The verb itself follows the normal present-tense endings you already know.
When a reflexive verb stays in the infinitive after another verb, the pronoun attaches to the end and changes to match the subject: preferisco alzarmi presto (I prefer to get up early).
- Mi sveglio alle sette. I wake up at seven.
- Si alza tardi la domenica. He gets up late on Sundays.
- Preferisco vestirmi subito. I prefer to get dressed straight away.
A day in order: prima, poi, dopo
To describe your routine, chain the actions with three small words: prima (first), poi (then) and dopo (afterwards). Di solito (usually) and sempre (always) tell the listener how often something happens.
Two fixed expressions carry the day: fare colazione (to have breakfast) and andare a letto (to go to bed). For times of day, use la mattina (in the morning) and la sera (in the evening).
- Prima mi lavo, poi mi vesto. First I wash, then I get dressed.
- Di solito faccio colazione alle otto. I usually have breakfast at eight.
- La sera vado a letto presto. In the evening I go to bed early.
The -isc verbs: capisco, finisco, preferisco, pulisco
Four common -ire verbs insert -isc- between the stem and the ending in four of the six persons: io, tu, lui/lei and loro. So capire gives capisco, capisci, capisce, capiscono — but noi capiamo and voi capite stay regular.
The same pattern works for finire (finisco), preferire (preferisco) and pulire (pulisco). Learn the pattern once and all four verbs behave identically.
- Capisco l'italiano, ma non parlo bene. I understand Italian, but I do not speak well.
- Finisco di lavorare alle sei. I finish work at six.
- Noi preferiamo il tè. We prefer tea.
Two commands you will hear every day: Alzati! Sbrigati!
Italian commands to one person you know well (tu) put the reflexive pronoun after the verb, joined to it: alza + ti becomes Alzati! (Get up!) and sbriga + ti becomes Sbrigati! (Hurry up!).
Speaking to more than one person, use the voi form the same way: Alzatevi! Sbrigatevi! For this lesson, simply memorise the two singular commands as fixed phrases — you will hear them constantly in Italian homes.
- Alzati! È tardi! Get up! It's late!
- Sbrigati! Il caffè è pronto! Hurry up! The coffee's ready!
- Alzatevi, ragazzi! Get up, kids!
| svegliarsi | alzarsi | vestirsi | |
|---|---|---|---|
| io | mi sveglio | mi alzo | mi vesto |
| tu | ti svegli | ti alzi | ti vesti |
| lui / lei | si sveglia | si alza | si veste |
| noi | ci svegliamo | ci alziamo | ci vestiamo |
| voi | vi svegliate | vi alzate | vi vestite |
| loro | si svegliano | si alzano | si vestono |
The pronoun changes with the person; the verb keeps its normal endings. Vestirsi is an -ire verb: vesto, vesti, veste, vestiamo, vestite, vestono.
| capire | finire | preferire | |
|---|---|---|---|
| io | capisco | finisco | preferisco |
| tu | capisci | finisci | preferisci |
| lui / lei | capisce | finisce | preferisce |
| noi | capiamo | finiamo | preferiamo |
| voi | capite | finite | preferite |
| loro | capiscono | finiscono | preferiscono |
-isc- appears everywhere except noi and voi. Pulire follows the same pattern: pulisco, puliamo.
| svegliarsi | alzarsi | sbrigarsi | |
|---|---|---|---|
| tu | Svegliati! | Alzati! | Sbrigati! |
| voi | Svegliatevi! | Alzatevi! | Sbrigatevi! |
In commands, the pronoun joins the end of the verb: alza + ti → alzati.
Vocabulary
Learn these words with their pronunciation. Nouns are given with their article — always learn them together.
| Italian | English | Pronunciation | Audio |
|---|---|---|---|
| chiamarsi | to be called | /kjaˈmarsi/ kyah-MAR-see | |
| svegliarsi | to wake up | /zveʎˈʎarsi/ zveh-LYAR-see | |
| alzarsi | to get up | /alˈtsarsi/ ahl-TSAR-see | |
| lavarsi | to wash (oneself) | /laˈvarsi/ lah-VAR-see | |
| vestirsi | to get dressed | /vesˈtirsi/ vehs-TEER-see | |
| riposarsi | to rest | /ripoˈzarsi/ ree-poh-ZAR-see | |
| addormentarsi | to fall asleep | /addormenˈtarsi/ ahd-dohr-mehn-TAR-see | |
| innamorarsi | to fall in love | /innamoˈrarsi/ een-nah-moh-RAR-see | |
| sposarsi | to get married | /spoˈzarsi/ spoh-ZAR-see | |
| sbrigarsi | to hurry up | /ˈzbriɡarsi/ ZBREE-gar-see | |
| capire | to understand | /kaˈpire/ kah-PEE-reh | |
| finire | to finish | /fiˈnire/ fee-NEE-reh | |
| preferire | to prefer | /prefeˈrire/ preh-feh-REE-reh | |
| pulire | to clean | /puˈlire/ poo-LEE-reh | |
| la sveglia | the alarm clock | /la ˈzvɛʎʎa/ lah ZVEH-lyah | |
| la mattina | the morning | /la matˈtina/ lah maht-TEE-nah | |
| la sera | the evening | /la ˈsɛra/ lah SEH-rah | |
| la giornata | the day (whole day) | /la dʒorˈnata/ lah johr-NAH-tah | |
| la doccia | the shower | /la ˈdottʃa/ lah DOHT-chah | |
| la colazione | breakfast | /la kolatˈtsjone/ lah koh-laht-TSYOH-neh | |
| il letto | the bed | /il ˈlɛtto/ eel LEHT-toh | |
| il marito | the husband | /il ˈmarito/ eel MAH-ree-toh | |
| la moglie | the wife | /la ˈmɔʎʎe/ lah MOH-lyeh | |
| presto | early | /ˈprɛsto/ PREH-stoh | |
| tardi | late | /ˈtardi/ TAR-dee | |
| di solito | usually | /di ˈsɔlito/ dee SOH-lee-toh | |
| sempre | always | /ˈsɛmpre/ SEHM-preh | |
| prima | first, before | /ˈprima/ PREE-mah | |
| poi | then, afterwards | /ˈpɔi/ POY | |
| dopo | afterwards, after | /ˈdopo/ DOH-poh |
Ready-to-use phrases
Mi chiamo Sofia.
My name is Sofia.
IPA /mi ˈkjamo soˈfia/
Say it mee KYAH-moh soh-FEE-ah
Mi sveglio presto la mattina.
I wake up early in the morning.
IPA /mi ˈzvɛʎo ˈprɛsto la matˈtina/
Say it mee ZVEH-lyoh PREH-stoh lah maht-TEE-nah
Mi alzo alle sette.
I get up at seven.
IPA /mi ˈaltso ˈalle ˈsɛtte/
Say it mee AHL-tsoh AHL-leh SEHT-teh
alle + time: alle sette, alle otto.
A che ora ti alzi?
What time do you get up?
IPA /a ke ˈɔra ti ˈaltsi/
Say it ah keh OH-rah tee AHL-tsee
Faccio colazione alle otto.
I have breakfast at eight.
IPA /ˈfattʃo kolatˈtsjone ˈalle ˈɔtto/
Say it FAHT-choh koh-laht-TSYOH-neh AHL-leh OHT-toh
fare colazione = to have breakfast.
Faccio la doccia la sera.
I have a shower in the evening.
IPA /ˈfattʃo la ˈdottʃa la ˈsɛra/
Say it FAHT-choh lah DOHT-chah lah SEH-rah
fare la doccia = to have a shower.
Prima mi lavo, poi mi vesto.
First I wash, then I get dressed.
IPA /ˈprima mi ˈlavo ˈpɔi mi ˈvɛsto/
Say it PREE-mah mee LAH-voh POY mee VEH-stoh
Vado a letto tardi.
I go to bed late.
IPA /ˈvado a ˈlɛtto ˈtardi/
Say it VAH-doh ah LEHT-toh TAR-dee
andare a letto = to go to bed.
A che ora vai a letto?
What time do you go to bed?
IPA /a ke ˈɔra ˈvai a ˈlɛtto/
Say it ah keh OH-rah VYE ah LEHT-toh
Mi addormento subito.
I fall asleep straight away.
IPA /mi addorˈmento ˈsubito/
Say it mee ahd-dohr-MEHN-toh SOO-bee-toh
Di solito mi riposo dopo pranzo.
I usually rest after lunch.
IPA /di ˈsɔlito mi riˈpozo ˈdopo ˈprandzo/
Say it dee SOH-lee-toh mee ree-POH-zoh DOH-poh PRAHN-dzoh
Alzati! È tardi!
Get up! It's late!
IPA /alˈtsati ɛ ˈtardi/
Say it ahl-TSAH-tee eh TAR-dee
In commands the pronoun joins the verb: alza + ti.
Sbrigati! Il caffè è pronto!
Hurry up! The coffee's ready!
IPA /ˈzbriɡati il kafˈfɛ ɛ ˈpronto/
Say it ZBREE-gah-tee eel kahf-FEH eh PROHN-toh
Capisco l'italiano, ma non parlo bene.
I understand Italian, but I don't speak well.
IPA /kaˈpisko litaˈljano ma non ˈparlo ˈbɛne/
Say it kah-PEE-skoh lee-tah-LYAH-noh mah nohn PAR-loh BEH-neh
Non capisco.
I don't understand.
IPA /non kaˈpisko/
Say it nohn kah-PEE-skoh
One of the most useful phrases in any conversation.
Finisco di lavorare alle sei.
I finish work at six.
IPA /fiˈnisko di lavoˈrare ˈalle ˈsɛi/
Say it fee-NEE-skoh dee lah-voh-RAH-reh AHL-leh SAY
finire di + infinitive = to finish doing something.
Preferisco il tè.
I prefer tea.
IPA /prefeˈrisko il ˈtɛ/
Say it preh-feh-REE-skoh eel TEH
Preferisco alzarmi presto.
I prefer to get up early.
IPA /prefeˈrisko alˈtsarmi ˈprɛsto/
Say it preh-feh-REE-skoh ahl-TSAR-mee PREH-stoh
With an infinitive the pronoun attaches to the end: alzarsi → alzarmi.
Pulisco la casa il sabato.
I clean the house on Saturdays.
IPA /puˈlisko la ˈkaza il ˈsabato/
Say it poo-LEE-skoh lah KAH-zah eel SAH-bah-toh
il sabato can mean every Saturday.
Ci svegliamo tardi la domenica.
We wake up late on Sundays.
IPA /tʃi zveʎˈʎamo ˈtardi la doˈmenika/
Say it chee zveh-LYAH-moh TAR-dee lah doh-MEH-nee-kah
Vi alzate presto voi due?
Do you two get up early?
IPA /vi alˈtsate ˈprɛsto voi ˈdue/
Say it vee ahl-TSAH-teh PREH-stoh VOY DOO-eh
vi is the reflexive pronoun for voi.
Mario si alza prima di me.
Mario gets up before me.
IPA /ˈmario si ˈaltsa ˈprima di ˈme/
Say it MAH-ree-oh see AHL-tsah PREE-mah dee MEH
Si sposano a giugno.
They're getting married in June.
IPA /si ˈspozano a ˈdʒuɲɲo/
Say it see SPOH-zah-noh ah JOON-nyoh
Dialogues
Monday morning at home
Giulia tries to get her flatmate Marco out of bed before work.
-
Giulia
Marco, alzati! Sono le otto!
Marco, get up! It's eight o'clock!
-
Marco
Cinque minuti... Mi sveglio sempre tardi il lunedì.
Five more minutes... I always wake up late on Mondays.
-
Giulia
Sbrigati! Il caffè è pronto e io esco alle otto e mezza.
Hurry up! The coffee's ready and I leave at half past eight.
-
Marco
Va bene, mi alzo. Fai la doccia tu per prima?
All right, I'm getting up. Are you having a shower first?
-
Giulia
Sì, poi mi vesto e faccio colazione. Tu a che ora finisci oggi?
Yes, then I get dressed and have breakfast. What time do you finish today?
-
Marco
Finisco di lavorare alle sei. E tu?
I finish work at six. And you?
-
Giulia
Alle cinque. Ci vediamo a casa stasera!
At five. See you at home tonight!
-
Marco
Perfetto. Stasera mi riposo: non esco.
Perfect. Tonight I'm resting: I'm not going out.
Comparing routines at the coffee machine
Colleagues Sara and Davide chat about their daily habits during a break.
-
Sara
A che ora ti svegli la mattina, Davide?
What time do you wake up in the morning, Davide?
-
Davide
Mi sveglio alle sei e mezza, ma mi alzo alle sette.
I wake up at half past six, but I get up at seven.
-
Sara
Prestissimo! Io mi sveglio alle otto.
Very early! I wake up at eight.
-
Davide
E fai colazione a casa?
And do you have breakfast at home?
-
Sara
No, di solito faccio colazione al bar.
No, I usually have breakfast at the café.
-
Davide
Anch'io. Preferisco il caffè del bar sotto l'ufficio.
Me too. I prefer the coffee from the café under the office.
-
Sara
Capisco. E la sera vai a letto presto?
I see. And in the evening do you go to bed early?
-
Davide
Sì, mi addormento subito. E tu?
Yes, I fall asleep straight away. And you?
-
Sara
Tardi! Guardo un film e poi dormo.
Late! I watch a film and then I sleep.
Planning a lazy Sunday
Elena and Paolo decide how to spend their free Sunday together.
-
Elena
Domani è domenica. Ci svegliamo tardi?
Tomorrow is Sunday. Shall we wake up late?
-
Paolo
Sì! Non lavoriamo. Ci alziamo alle dieci?
Yes! We're not working. Shall we get up at ten?
-
Elena
Perfetto. Poi facciamo colazione insieme.
Perfect. Then we'll have breakfast together.
-
Paolo
E il pomeriggio ci riposiamo. Sei d'accordo?
And in the afternoon we'll rest. Do you agree?
-
Elena
D'accordo. La sera guardiamo un film.
Agreed. In the evening we'll watch a film.
-
Paolo
È una domenica perfetta.
It's a perfect Sunday.
-
Elena
Sì, noi due ci capiamo sempre!
Yes, the two of us always understand each other!
Exercises
Answer actively — try to recall the Italian before you look at any hint.
Choose the correct reflexive form.
Io ___ alle sette. (svegliarsi)
Choose the correct reflexive form.
Marco ___ tardi la domenica. (alzarsi)
Choose the correct command: Get up!
___! Il caffè è pronto!
Choose the correct form of capire.
Noi non ___ questo film. (capire)
Write the full reflexive form.
svegliarsi — tu (present tense)
Write the full reflexive form.
vestirsi — noi (present tense)
Write the correct form.
capire — io (present tense)
Write the correct form.
finire — loro (present tense)
Choose the correct reflexive pronoun.
Loro ___ sposano a giugno.
Choose the correct reflexive pronoun.
Voi ___ svegliate alle sei?
Fill the gap with the correct verb form.
Mi ___ alle sei e mezza. (alzarsi)
Fill the gap with the correct form of fare.
Di solito ___ la doccia la sera. (fare, io)
Fill the gap with the full reflexive form.
I bambini ___ subito la sera. (addormentarsi)
Fill the gap with the reflexive infinitive for io.
Preferisco ___ presto la mattina. (alzarsi, infinitive)
Translate into Italian.
I wake up at seven.
Translate into Italian (informal you).
What time do you go to bed?
Translate into Italian.
We get up late on Sundays.
Translate into Italian.
I prefer tea.
Translate into English.
Mario si sveglia prima di me.
Translate into English.
Si sposano a giugno.
Translate into English.
Non capisco la domanda.
Tap the words in the correct order.
Build the sentence: I wake up early.
Tap the words in the correct order.
Build the sentence: They get married in June.
Tap a person, then tap its pronoun.
Match each person to its reflexive pronoun.
Tap an item, then tap its form.
Match each person and verb to the correct -isc form.
Play the audio, then type exactly what you hear.
Listen and write the Italian sentence.
True or false?
In the present tense, reflexive pronouns come after the verb.
True or false?
Noi capiamo takes -isc- just like io capisco.
Rewrite the sentence so that I wash myself, using lavarsi.
Lavo la macchina. (io)
Say the sentence aloud, then show the meaning and rate yourself.
Di solito mi sveglio presto e faccio la doccia.
Speak now
Say each sentence aloud three times: once slowly, once at normal speed, once from memory. Then change the times and say the true version for your own day.
- Mi sveglio alle sei e mi alzo subito. I wake up at six and I get up straight away.
- La mattina mi lavo, mi vesto e faccio colazione. In the morning I wash, I get dressed and I have breakfast.
- Di solito finisco di lavorare alle cinque. I usually finish work at five.
- La sera mi riposo e vado a letto presto. In the evening I rest and go to bed early.
- Alzati! Sbrigati! È tardi! Get up! Hurry up! It's late!
Lesson checkpoint
Before you move on, make sure you can do all of this without looking:
- Say all six reflexive pronouns from memory: mi, ti, si, ci, vi, si
- Conjugate svegliarsi and alzarsi in the present tense
- Describe your morning in at least three sentences with prima, poi, dopo
- Say when you wake up and when you go to bed
- Use capisco, finisco and preferisco correctly, including the noi forms
- Give the two commands Alzati! and Sbrigati! without looking
Remember this
- Reflexive verbs put mi, ti, si, ci, vi, si before the verb: mi sveglio, ti alzi, si veste.
- In the dictionary they end in -si: alzarsi. After another verb, the pronoun attaches to the infinitive: preferisco alzarmi presto.
- In tu commands the pronoun joins the end: Alzati! Sbrigati! (voi: Alzatevi! Sbrigatevi!)
- capire, finire, preferire and pulire insert -isc- everywhere except noi and voi: capisco but capiamo.
- Sequence your day with prima, poi, dopo — and say how often with di solito and sempre.
Go deeper: Reflexive verbs · -isc verbs · -ire verbs · Present tense · Time and dates