Reflexive Verbs
Los verbos reflexivos
Reflexive verbs indicate that the subject performs and receives the action. They require reflexive pronouns (me, te, se, nos, os, se) that match the subject.
Example: lavarse (to wash oneself) → yo me lavo, tú te lavas
What Are Reflexive Verbs
Actions that the subject does to themselves.
| Type | Example | Translation |
|---|---|---|
| Reflexive | Me lavo | I wash myself |
| Non-reflexive | Lavo el coche | I wash the car |
| Reflexive | Se levanta | He gets himself up |
| Reflexive | Nos vestimos | We dress ourselves |
Reflexive Pronouns
Each subject has a corresponding reflexive pronoun.
| Subject | Reflexive Pronoun | Example |
|---|---|---|
| yo | me | me lavo |
| tú | te | te lavas |
| él/ella/usted | se | se lava |
| nosotros/as | nos | nos lavamos |
| vosotros/as | os | os laváis |
| ellos/ellas/ustedes | se | se lavan |
- Pronouns must match the subject
- Pronouns come before conjugated verbs
- Pronouns attach to infinitives and gerunds
- The pronoun 'se' is used for third person (singular and plural)
Pronoun Placement
Reflexive pronouns can be placed before the verb or attached to infinitives and gerunds.
- Before conjugated verbs
- Attached to infinitives
- Attached to gerunds
- Attached to affirmative commands
- Before negative commands
Common Learner Questions
Helpful questions when using reflexive verbs:
- Does the subject perform the action on themselves?
- What is the subject pronoun?
- What is the matching reflexive pronoun?
- Should the pronoun go before the verb or attach to it?
- Is this verb always reflexive or can it be non-reflexive?
Common Reflexive Verbs
Frequently used reflexive verbs in daily life.
| Infinitive | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| levantarse | to get up | Me levanto a las siete. |
| ducharse | to shower | Te duchas por la mañana. |
| vestirse | to get dressed | Se viste rápidamente. |
| acostarse | to go to bed | Nos acostamos tarde. |
| despertarse | to wake up | Me despierto temprano. |
| llamarse | to be called | Me llamo María. |
| sentarse | to sit down | Se sienta aquí. |
| quedarse | to stay | Me quedo en casa. |
| ponerse | to put on | Te pones el abrigo. |
| irse | to leave/go away | Se va mañana. |
Conjugating Reflexive Verbs
Reflexive verbs conjugate normally, but require the reflexive pronoun.
| Subject | lavarse | levantarse |
|---|---|---|
| yo | me lavo | me levanto |
| tú | te lavas | te levantas |
| él/ella/usted | se lava | se levanta |
| nosotros/as | nos lavamos | nos levantamos |
| vosotros/as | os laváis | os levantáis |
| ellos/ellas/ustedes | se lavan | se levantan |
Example Sentences
Me levanto temprano todos los días.I get up early every day.
¿A qué hora te acuestas?What time do you go to bed?
Ella se ducha por la noche.She showers at night.
Nos vestimos rápidamente.We get dressed quickly.
Ellos se llaman Juan y María.They are called Juan and María.
Daily Routine Verbs
Reflexive verbs are commonly used to describe daily routines.
Me lavo las manos.I wash my hands.type: Conjugated verb
Voy a lavarme las manos.I'm going to wash my hands.type: Infinitive (attached)
Me voy a lavar las manos.I'm going to wash my hands.type: Infinitive (before)
Estoy lavándome las manos.I am washing my hands.type: Gerund (attached)
Me estoy lavando las manos.I am washing my hands.type: Gerund (before)
Reflexive vs Non-Reflexive
Many verbs can be used reflexively or non-reflexively with different meanings.
| Verb | Reflexive Meaning | Non-Reflexive Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| lavar | lavarse (to wash oneself) | lavar (to wash something) |
| acostar | acostarse (to go to bed) | acostar (to put someone to bed) |
| despertar | despertarse (to wake up) | despertar (to wake someone) |
| llamar | llamarse (to be called) | llamar (to call someone) |
| ir | irse (to leave/go away) | ir (to go somewhere) |
| poner | ponerse (to put on) | poner (to put/place something) |
Me despierto a las seis.I wake up at six.verb: despertarse
Me levanto a las siete.I get up at seven.verb: levantarse
Me ducho por la mañana.I shower in the morning.verb: ducharse
Me visto después de desayunar.I get dressed after breakfast.verb: vestirse
Me peino el pelo.I comb my hair.verb: peinarse
Me acuesto a las once.I go to bed at eleven.verb: acostarse