Some verbs carry the ending -ся (after a consonant) or -сь (after a vowel) glued onto the normal personal ending, and they never take a direct object. Many describe things you do to yourself or daily routine actions.
Examples
- Я просыпаюсь в семь часов.
- I wake up at seven o'clock.
- Он одевается и умывается быстро.
- He gets dressed and washes quickly.
- Мы обычно возвращаемся домой поздно.
- We usually get home late.
- Занятия начинаются в девять.
- Classes start at nine.
The mistake to avoid
Choosing the wrong half: it is -сь after a vowel ending (я учусь, я одеваюсь) but -ся after a consonant (он учится).
Where this fits in
Daily routines & habits, Russian A2: Talk about what you do every day, at what time, and how often. Reflexive verbs with -ся and frequency adverbs.