באַשפֿעטיקן זיך

This category applies to reflexive verbs; these are verbs where the action is performed by the subject on itself. For example, in English, "to wash oneself" is a reflexive verb.

Present Tense

In the present tense, reflexive verbs are conjugated by adding specific endings to the verb stem based on the subject pronoun. To get the verb stem, the ending (normally ן) is removed from the infinitive.

In this example, because the stem ends in a ן, an extra ע is added. The infitive ending is therefore ען so this is removed before adding the conjugated present tense ending.

Past Tense

The past tense for periphrastic, reflexive, separable-prefix and simple verbs is formed in a similar manner and follows the same rules. It is formed using the auxiliary verb האָבן (to have) or זיין (to be) followed by the past participle of the main verb.

In most cases, האָבן is used, but זיין is used with verbs that indicate motion or change of state.

For reflexive verbs, you need to consider the order. The word זיך comes before the past participle

Using the same example with לערנען זיך:

Future Tense

The future tense for periphrastic, reflexive, separable-prefix and simple verbs is formed in a similar manner and follows the same rules. It is formed using the auxiliary verb וועלן (will) followed by the infinitive form of the main verb.

For reflexive verbs, which are made up of an auxiliary and a main verb, it is formed by conjugating the auxiliary verb in the future tense while the main verb remains unchanged. Using the same example with מסכּים (to agree) and זיין (to be):