The reflexive pronoun sui, sibi, sē/sēsē is one of the most important words in Latin for expressing actions that refer back to the subject of the sentence. Unlike English, which uses compound forms like "himself," "herself," "itself," and "themselves," Latin uses this single pronoun for all persons and numbers when the action reflects back to the subject.
Definition: The reflexive pronoun sui, sibi, sē/sēsē refers back to the subject of its own clause, indicating that the subject performs an action upon itself or for itself.
FAQ SchemaQuestion: What does sui, sibi, sē mean in Latin? Answer: Sui, sibi, sē is the Latin reflexive pronoun meaning "himself," "herself," "itself," or "themselves." It refers back to the subject of the sentence, showing that the subject performs an action on or for itself.
In this lesson, we'll explore how this reflexive pronoun functions in conversational contexts, including common phrases for self-reference, daily activities involving oneself, and idiomatic expressions. The examples will demonstrate various case forms (genitive sui, dative sibi, accusative/ablative sē or emphatic sēsē) in natural conversational situations.
Educational SchemaType: Language Learning Material Subject: Latin Language Level: Intermediate Topic: Reflexive Pronouns Focus: Conversational Usage
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The reflexive pronoun has only three forms: sui (genitive), sibi (dative), and sē/sēsē (accusative/ablative) -
It always refers back to the subject of its own clause -
It's used for all persons (I, you, he/she/it, we, you all, they) when the action is reflexive -
The emphatic form sēsē adds emphasis meaning "very self" or "own self" -
In conversational Latin, it appears frequently in expressions about personal care, emotions, and self-directed actions
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17.1 Mārcus Marcus sē himself in in speculō mirror videt sees
17.2 Puella girl sibi for herself novam new stolam dress emit buys
17.3 Puerī boys inter among sē themselves lūdunt play
17.4 Māter mother fīlium son sēcum with herself dūcit takes
17.5 Servus slave dominum master apud at sē himself exspectat awaits
17.6 Puellae girls sibi for themselves crīnēs hair ornant arrange
17.7 Senex old man sēsē himself laudat praises semper always
17.8 Līberī children parentēs parents dē about sē themselves rogant ask
17.9 Hospes guest sē himself ad to cēnam dinner parat prepares
17.10 Fēminae women inter between sē themselves colloquuntur converse
17.11 Iuvenis young man sibi for himself vīnum wine miscet mixes
17.12 Amīcī friends sē themselves invicem mutually salūtant greet
17.13 Magister teacher discipulōs students circum around sē himself vocat calls
17.14 Mīlitēs soldiers sē themselves ad for pugnam battle parant prepare
17.15 Puella girl sēcum with herself tacitē silently cōgitat thinks
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17.1 Mārcus sē in speculō videt. Marcus sees himself in the mirror.
17.2 Puella sibi novam stolam emit. The girl buys herself a new dress.
17.3 Puerī inter sē lūdunt. The boys play among themselves.
17.4 Māter fīlium sēcum dūcit. The mother takes her son with her.
17.5 Servus dominum apud sē exspectat. The slave awaits his master at his place.
17.6 Puellae sibi crīnēs ornant. The girls arrange their hair.
17.7 Senex sēsē laudat semper. The old man always praises himself.
17.8 Līberī parentēs dē sē rogant. The children ask their parents about themselves.
17.9 Hospes sē ad cēnam parat. The guest prepares himself for dinner.
17.10 Fēminae inter sē colloquuntur. The women converse among themselves.
17.11 Iuvenis sibi vīnum miscet. The young man mixes wine for himself.
17.12 Amīcī sē invicem salūtant. Friends greet each other.
17.13 Magister discipulōs circum sē vocat. The teacher calls the students around himself.
17.14 Mīlitēs sē ad pugnam parant. The soldiers prepare themselves for battle.
17.15 Puella sēcum tacitē cōgitat. The girl thinks silently to herself.
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17.1 Mārcus sē in speculō videt.
17.2 Puella sibi novam stolam emit.
17.3 Puerī inter sē lūdunt.
17.4 Māter fīlium sēcum dūcit.
17.5 Servus dominum apud sē exspectat.
17.6 Puellae sibi crīnēs ornant.
17.7 Senex sēsē laudat semper.
17.8 Līberī parentēs dē sē rogant.
17.9 Hospes sē ad cēnam parat.
17.10 Fēminae inter sē colloquuntur.
17.11 Iuvenis sibi vīnum miscet.
17.12 Amīcī sē invicem salūtant.
17.13 Magister discipulōs circum sē vocat.
17.14 Mīlitēs sē ad pugnam parant.
17.15 Puella sēcum tacitē cōgitat.
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The reflexive pronoun in Latin is unique because it has only three basic forms that serve all persons and numbers:
Forms of the Reflexive Pronoun: -
Genitive: suī (of himself/herself/itself/themselves) -
Dative: sibi (to/for himself/herself/itself/themselves) -
Accusative: sē or sēsē (himself/herself/itself/themselves) -
Ablative: sē or sēsē (by/with/from himself/herself/itself/themselves)
Note: There is no nominative form because the reflexive pronoun can never be the subject of a sentence.
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Using the wrong pronoun: English speakers often confuse reflexive pronouns with regular third-person pronouns (is, ea, id). Remember: -
Use sē when referring back to the subject: "Mārcus sē videt" (Marcus sees himself) -
Use eum when referring to someone else: "Mārcus eum videt" (Marcus sees him [someone else]) -
Forgetting case requirements: The reflexive pronoun must be in the case required by its grammatical function: -
Direct object = accusative (sē) -
Indirect object = dative (sibi) -
With prepositions = case required by the preposition -
Misunderstanding sēcum: The special form sēcum means "with himself/herself/themselves." The preposition cum is attached to the end, not placed separately.
English uses compound reflexive pronouns (myself, yourself, himself, etc.) that change based on person and number. Latin uses the same forms regardless of whether the subject is: -
First person: "I see myself" = videō mē (not suī!) -
Second person: "You see yourself" = vidēs tē (not suī!) -
Third person: "He sees himself" = videt sē (uses reflexive)
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Identify the subject of the sentence -
Determine if the action refers back to that subject -
Choose the correct case based on the pronoun's function: -
Is it receiving the action? → accusative (sē) -
Is it receiving something? → dative (sibi) -
Is it showing possession? → genitive (suī) -
Is it with a preposition? → check what case the preposition takes -
Use the emphatic form sēsē only when you want to emphasize "his very self" or "their own selves"
Declension of the Reflexive Pronoun: -
Nominative: — (does not exist) -
Genitive: suī (of oneself) -
Dative: sibi (to/for oneself) -
Accusative: sē, sēsē (oneself) -
Ablative: sē, sēsē (by/with/from oneself)
Special Combinations: -
sēcum = with oneself -
inter sē = among themselves -
apud sē = at one's place -
per sē = by oneself, through one's own efforts
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For English speakers learning conversational Latin, understanding how Romans used reflexive pronouns reveals much about their cultural values and social interactions. The frequency of reflexive constructions in Latin reflects a society deeply concerned with personal honor, self-presentation, and social relationships.
In Roman society, actions performed upon oneself often carried special significance. When someone "prepared themselves" (sē parāre), it wasn't just physical preparation but also mental and social readiness. The phrase sē ad Forum conferre (to betake oneself to the Forum) implied not just physical movement but entering into the civic life of Rome.
The expression sibi placēre (to please oneself) had negative connotations of vanity or self-satisfaction, while sē continēre (to contain oneself) was praised as a sign of self-control and virtue. Romans valued moderātiō (moderation) and the ability to govern oneself before attempting to govern others.
In conversational contexts, Romans frequently used reflexive constructions for reciprocal actions. Inter sē (among themselves) appears constantly in texts describing social interactions, from friends greeting each other to political allies consulting privately. This reflects the importance of group dynamics and mutual relationships in Roman society.
The compound sēcum (with oneself) often appeared in contexts of private thought or reflection. Sēcum cōgitāre (to think to oneself) or sēcum loquī (to speak with oneself) were common expressions for internal dialogue, showing that Romans, like us, valued introspection and private contemplation.
For modern learners, mastering these reflexive constructions opens doors to more natural, idiomatic Latin conversation. They're essential for discussing personal care (sē lavāre - to wash oneself), emotions (sē continēre - to control oneself), and social interactions (sē excūsāre - to excuse oneself).
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From Erasmus's Colloquia Familiaria, "De Captandā Benevolentiā" (On Winning Good Will):
Part F-A (Interleaved Text)
Quī who vult wishes sibi for himself aliōs others conciliāre to win over, is he prīmum first sē himself ipsum very nōsse to know dēbet ought. Nam for quī who sē himself nescit does not know, quōmodo how poterit will he be able aliīs to others sē himself accommodāre to adapt? Deinde then opus need est there is ut that sē himself aliēnīs to others' mōribus customs attemperāre to adjust possit he may be able.
Quī vult sibi aliōs conciliāre, is prīmum sē ipsum nōsse dēbet. Nam quī sē nescit, quōmodo poterit aliīs sē accommodāre? Deinde opus est ut sē aliēnīs mōribus attemperāre possit.
He who wishes to win others over to himself ought first to know himself. For he who does not know himself, how will he be able to adapt himself to others? Then it is necessary that he be able to adjust himself to the customs of others.
This passage from Erasmus beautifully demonstrates the conversational use of reflexive pronouns in Renaissance Latin. The text contains five instances of the reflexive pronoun, each serving a different function: -
sibi (dative) - showing personal benefit -
sē ipsum (accusative with intensive) - emphasizing self-knowledge -
sē nescit - reflexive as direct object -
sē accommodāre - reflexive with infinitive -
sē attemperāre - another reflexive infinitive construction
The passage reflects humanist values of self-knowledge and social adaptability, core themes in Erasmus's educational philosophy.
Key grammatical points in this passage: -
sibi aliōs conciliāre - dative of advantage with reflexive -
sē ipsum - intensive pronoun ipsum strengthening the reflexive -
quī sē nescit - reflexive in relative clause maintains reference to the subject of the relative pronoun -
sē accommodāre and sē attemperāre - reflexive pronouns with complementary infinitives -
aliēnīs mōribus - dative with compound verbs of adapting/adjusting
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17.16 Lūcius Lucius: "Salvē greetings amīce! friend! Tē you hīc here vidēre to see gaudeo. I rejoice. Mēcum with me in into tepidārium warm room venīs?" do you come?
17.17 Mārcus Marcus: "Libenter! gladly! Sed but prīus first mē myself in in apodytēriō changing room exuere to undress dēbeō." I must.
17.18 Lūcius Lucius: "Ego I quoque also mē myself parō. prepare. Servus slave meus my mihi for me vestēs clothes custōdit." guards.
17.19 Mārcus Marcus: "Meus my servus slave sē himself post behind mē me tenet holds et and oleum oil fert." carries.
17.20 Lūcius Lucius: "In in calidāriō hot room multī many sē themselves lavant. wash. Inter among nōs us locum place inveniāmus!" let us find!
17.21 Mārcus Marcus: "Ecce! look! Duo two senēs old men sibi to themselves fābulās stories nārrant tell in in angulō." corner.
17.22 Lūcius Lucius: "Ille that homō man sēsē himself nimis too much fricāre to rub vidētur!" seems!
17.23 Mārcus Marcus: "Post after lavācrum bath nōs we ourselves in in frīgidārium cold room mersūrī about to plunge sumus, are, nōnne?" aren't we?
17.24 Lūcius Lucius: "Certē! certainly! Sed but ante before mē myself benē well calefacere to warm volō." I want.
17.25 Mārcus Marcus: "Audiō I hear aliquem someone sēcum with himself cantāre singing in in vapōre!" steam!
17.26 Lūcius Lucius: "Hīc here multī many sē themselves oblectant amuse variīs in various modīs." ways.
17.27 Mārcus Marcus: "Visne do you want post after balneum bath tē yourself ad to cēnam dinner apud at mē my place venīre?" to come?
17.28 Lūcius Lucius: "Grātiās thanks tibi! to you! Mē myself iam already alibi elsewhere obligāvī." I have obligated.
17.29 Mārcus Marcus: "Intellegō. I understand. Fortasse perhaps crās tomorrow inter between nōs us convenīre to meet possumus." we can.
17.30 Lūcius Lucius: "Optimē! excellent! Nunc now autem however mē myself in in aquam water calidam hot immergam!" I shall immerse!
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17.16 Lūcius: "Salvē amīce! Tē hīc vidēre gaudeo. Mēcum in tepidārium venīs?" Lucius: "Greetings, friend! I'm glad to see you here. Are you coming with me into the warm room?"
17.17 Mārcus: "Libenter! Sed prīus mē in apodytēriō exuere dēbeō." Marcus: "Gladly! But first I must undress in the changing room."
17.18 Lūcius: "Ego quoque mē parō. Servus meus mihi vestēs custōdit." Lucius: "I'm also getting ready. My slave is watching my clothes for me."
17.19 Mārcus: "Meus servus sē post mē tenet et oleum fert." Marcus: "My slave keeps behind me and carries the oil."
17.20 Lūcius: "In calidāriō multī sē lavant. Inter nōs locum inveniāmus!" Lucius: "Many people are washing themselves in the hot room. Let's find a spot for ourselves!"
17.21 Mārcus: "Ecce! Duo senēs sibi fābulās nārrant in angulō." Marcus: "Look! Two old men are telling each other stories in the corner."
17.22 Lūcius: "Ille homō sēsē nimis fricāre vidētur!" Lucius: "That man seems to be scrubbing himself too hard!"
17.23 Mārcus: "Post lavācrum nōs in frīgidārium mersūrī sumus, nōnne?" Marcus: "After the bath we're going to plunge into the cold pool, aren't we?"
17.24 Lūcius: "Certē! Sed ante mē benē calefacere volō." Lucius: "Of course! But first I want to warm myself up properly."
17.25 Mārcus: "Audiō aliquem sēcum cantāre in vapōre!" Marcus: "I hear someone singing to himself in the steam!"
17.26 Lūcius: "Hīc multī sē oblectant variīs modīs." Lucius: "Many people here amuse themselves in various ways."
17.27 Mārcus: "Visne post balneum tē ad cēnam apud mē venīre?" Marcus: "Do you want to come to dinner at my place after the bath?"
17.28 Lūcius: "Grātiās tibi! Mē iam alibi obligāvī." Lucius: "Thanks! I've already committed myself elsewhere."
17.29 Mārcus: "Intellegō. Fortasse crās inter nōs convenīre possumus." Marcus: "I understand. Perhaps we can meet tomorrow."
17.30 Lūcius: "Optimē! Nunc autem mē in aquam calidam immergam!" Lucius: "Excellent! But now I'm going to immerse myself in the hot water!"
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17.16 Lūcius: "Salvē amīce! Tē hīc vidēre gaudeo. Mēcum in tepidārium venīs?"
17.17 Mārcus: "Libenter! Sed prīus mē in apodytēriō exuere dēbeō."
17.18 Lūcius: "Ego quoque mē parō. Servus meus mihi vestēs custōdit."
17.19 Mārcus: "Meus servus sē post mē tenet et oleum fert."
17.20 Lūcius: "In calidāriō multī sē lavant. Inter nōs locum inveniāmus!"
17.21 Mārcus: "Ecce! Duo senēs sibi fābulās nārrant in angulō."
17.22 Lūcius: "Ille homō sēsē nimis fricāre vidētur!"
17.23 Mārcus: "Post lavācrum nōs in frīgidārium mersūrī sumus, nōnne?"
17.24 Lūcius: "Certē! Sed ante mē benē calefacere volō."
17.25 Mārcus: "Audiō aliquem sēcum cantāre in vapōre!"
17.26 Lūcius: "Hīc multī sē oblectant variīs modīs."
17.27 Mārcus: "Visne post balneum tē ad cēnam apud mē venīre?"
17.28 Lūcius: "Grātiās tibi! Mē iam alibi obligāvī."
17.29 Mārcus: "Intellegō. Fortasse crās inter nōs convenīre possumus."
17.30 Lūcius: "Optimē! Nunc autem mē in aquam calidam immergam!"
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This dialogue showcases how reflexive pronouns function in everyday Latin conversation. Notice the variety of uses:
1. First and Second Person Reflexives In conversational Latin, first person (mē, mihi) and second person (tē, tibi) forms are used instead of sē, sibi when the subject is "I" or "you": -
mē exuere dēbeō - "I must undress myself" -
mē parō - "I prepare myself" -
tē ad cēnam venīre - "you to come to dinner"
2. True Third Person Reflexives When the subject is third person, we see the standard reflexive forms: -
servus sē post mē tenet - "the slave keeps himself behind me" -
multī sē lavant - "many wash themselves" -
senēs sibi fābulās nārrant - "old men tell stories to themselves"
3. Emphatic sēsē The emphatic form appears once for dramatic effect: -
sēsē nimis fricāre - "to scrub himself too hard" (emphasizing the excessive action)
4. Special Combinations -
sēcum - "with himself" (cum attached to the pronoun) -
inter nōs - "among ourselves" (reciprocal meaning) -
apud mē - "at my place" (literally "at/near me")
5. Reflexives with Infinitives Several examples show reflexive pronouns with infinitive constructions: -
mē exuere dēbeō - modal verb + reflexive infinitive -
mē calefacere volō - verb of wishing + reflexive infinitive -
tē venīre - accusative + infinitive after visne
Common Patterns in Bath-House Vocabulary -
sē lavāre - to wash oneself -
sē parāre - to prepare oneself -
sē fricāre - to scrub oneself -
sē immergere - to immerse oneself -
sē oblectāre - to amuse oneself
These reflexive constructions are essential for discussing personal care and hygiene, central topics in Roman bath-house culture.
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The Latinum Institute Latin Reading Course represents a comprehensive approach to learning Latin through natural reading and contextual understanding. Developed by Evan der Millner BA MA (Cantab. NZ, London), who has been creating innovative online language learning materials since 2006, these lessons employ the "construed text" method that has proven highly effective for autodidactic learners.
The course philosophy, detailed at latinum.substack.com and latinum.org.uk, emphasizes: -
Natural Language Acquisition: Rather than focusing solely on grammar rules, students learn Latin as Romans used it in daily conversation -
Construed Text Method: Interlinear glossing allows immediate comprehension while building pattern recognition -
Progressive Complexity: Each lesson builds upon previous vocabulary and structures -
Cultural Context: Examples drawn from authentic Roman life situations -
Multiple Learning Pathways: Each lesson provides various approaches (interlinear, natural sentences, grammar explanation, cultural notes, and literary examples)
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These lessons are particularly suited for: -
Adult learners studying independently -
Students seeking conversational Latin proficiency -
Educators looking for supplementary materials -
Anyone interested in reading Latin authors in the original
The course design recognizes that modern autodidacts need flexible, comprehensive materials that can be studied at their own pace without constant teacher intervention. By providing complete, untruncated lessons with multiple perspectives on each grammatical concept, learners can achieve genuine Latin proficiency through consistent, enjoyable study.
For additional resources, lesson audio recordings, and community support, visit the Latinum Institute's online platforms. The curator, Evan der Millner, continues to develop and refine these materials based on decades of teaching experience and student feedback, ensuring that each lesson represents the most effective pathway to Latin mastery for independent learners.
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