Reflexive verbs

Reflexive verbs are formed with the attachment of the suffix -In to the verb and have the interpretation of acting upon ‘oneself.’ The verb ‘to comb’ is tara-, for example, and with the attachment of the reflexive suffix, it becomes taran-, meaning ‘to comb oneself.’ Here are some more examples:

1. giy-in ‘dress oneself’ (= get dressed)

2. süsle-n ‘ornament oneself’

3. ger-in ‘stretch oneself’

Note that one of the passive markers is also -In in Turkish and this results in ambiguity in some examples. Here is one:

1. Çocuklar bayrama çıkmadan önce renkli tokalarla süslendi.

In the passive interpretation, some people decorated the children’s hair before they went to the parade. In the reflexive interpretation, the children decorated their hair themselves.

Reflexive pronoun

Reflexive structures can be formed with the reflexive pronoun as well. Kendi is marked with a possessive marker depending on the person of the verb. It bears case markers in accordance with the position where it appears.