reflexive verbs: imperative

Reflexive Verbs in the Imperative Mood

In Russian, reflexive verbs are identified by the suffix -ся or -сь attached to the end of the infinitive. When you form the imperative (commands), the reflexive marker is always placed at the very end of the verb, following the standard imperative endings.

The Golden Rule: Choosing between -ся and -сь

The choice between the two forms of the reflexive suffix depends entirely on whether the preceding letter is a vowel or a consonant:

• -ся is used after a consonant.
• -сь is used after a vowel.

Formation Examples

1. Мыться (To wash oneself)

First, form the standard imperative of the base verb (мыть), then add the suffix:

• Informal (singular): мой (consonant ending) + ся = мойся (móysya, “Wash yourself!”)
• Formal/Plural: мойте (vowel ending) + сь = мойтесь (móytes', “Wash yourselves!”)

2. Вернуться (To return / come back)

• Informal (singular): верни (vowel ending) + сь = вернись (vernís', “Come back!”)
• Formal/Plural: верните (vowel ending) + сь = вернитесь (vernít'es', “Come back!”)

3. Одеваться (To get dressed)

• Informal (singular): одевай (consonant ending) + ся = одевайся (odeváysya, “Get dressed!”)
• Formal/Plural: одевайтесь (vowel ending) + сь = одевайтесь (odeváytes', “Get dressed!”)

Key Takeaway

The reflexive marker is always the final element of the word. Even when adding the -те ending for formal or plural commands, the reflexive suffix moves to follow that -те, changing to -сь because -те ends in a vowel.