Definition of Reflexive Verbs
Reflexive verbs in Spanish are verbs where the subject performs an action on itself. These verbs are always accompanied by reflexive pronouns that refer back to the subject. In English, reflexive verbs often correspond to actions done “to oneself,” such as "to wash oneself" or "to dress oneself."
In Spanish, reflexive verbs are identified by the pronoun se attached to the infinitive form.
lavarse
lah-VAHR-seh
to wash oneself
vestirse
ves-TEER-seh
to dress oneself
Reflexive Pronouns
Reflexive pronouns indicate that the action of the verb reflects back on the subject. These pronouns must match the subject in person and number. The pronouns are:
| Subject | Reflexive Pronoun |
|---|---|
| yo (I) | me |
| tú (you, informal) | te |
| él/ella/usted (he/she/you formal) | se |
| nosotros/nosotras (we) | nos |
| vosotros/vosotras (you all, informal) | os |
| ellos/ellas/ustedes (they/you all formal) | se |
Yo me levanto temprano.
Yo meh leh-VAHN-toh tehm-PRAH-noh.
I get up early.
Conjugation of Reflexive Verbs
To conjugate reflexive verbs, first remove the se from the infinitive, conjugate the verb normally, then add the matching reflexive pronoun before the verb.
Example: Conjugation of levantarse (to get up) in the present tense:
| Subject | Conjugation |
|---|---|
| yo | me levanto |
| tú | te levantas |
| él/ella/usted | se levanta |
| nosotros/nosotras | nos levantamos |
| vosotros/vosotras | os levantáis |
| ellos/ellas/ustedes | se levantan |
Ella se ducha por la mañana.
Eh-YAH seh DOO-chah por lah mah-NYAH-nah.
She showers in the morning.
Common Reflexive Verbs
Many everyday Spanish verbs are reflexive when talking about personal care, emotions, or reciprocal actions. Some common reflexive verbs include:
- levantarse - to get up
- lavarse - to wash oneself
- ducharse - to shower
- vestirse - to dress oneself
- acostarse - to go to bed
- sentirse - to feel (emotionally or physically)
- irse - to leave
Nosotros nos sentamos en la sala.
Noh-SOH-tros nohs sen-TAH-mohs en lah SAH-lah.
We sit down in the living room.
Ellos se van temprano.
Eh-Yohs seh van tehm-PRAH-noh.
They leave early.
Position of Reflexive Pronouns
Reflexive pronouns usually appear before a conjugated verb. However, they can also be attached to the end of infinitives, gerunds, and affirmative commands.
Examples of pronoun placement:
- Before conjugated verb: Me ducho (I shower)
- Attached to infinitive: Voy a ducharme (I am going to shower)
- Attached to gerund: Estoy duchándome (I am showering)
- Attached to affirmative command: Dúchate (Shower!)
Voy a lavarme las manos.
Voy ah lah-BAR-meh las MAH-nos.
I am going to wash my hands.
¡Levántate temprano!
Leh-VAHN-tah-teh tehm-PRAH-noh!
Get up early!
Change in Meaning with Reflexive Form
Some verbs change their meaning when used reflexively. The reflexive form can indicate a different action or a change in subject focus.
Example of ir vs. irse:
Voy al cine.
Voy al SEE-neh.
I go to the movie theater.
Me voy ahora.
Meh voy ah-OH-rah.
I am leaving now.
Here, irse emphasizes the act of leaving or going away, while ir simply means "to go."
Practice Examples
Try identifying and conjugating the reflexive verbs in these sentences:
Tú te cepillas los dientes después de comer.
Too teh seh-PEE-yahs los DYEN-tes dehs-PWEHS deh koh-MER.
You brush your teeth after eating.
Nosotros nos acostamos tarde.
Noh-SOH-tros nohs ah-kohs-TAH-mohs TAR-deh.
We go to bed late.
Ellas se maquillan para la fiesta.
Eh-yahs seh mah-KEE-yahn PAH-rah lah FYEHS-tah.
They put on makeup for the party.
Tips for Remembering Rules
- Remember that reflexive pronouns always agree with the subject.
- Look for the se at the end of the infinitive to identify reflexive verbs.
- Practice placing reflexive pronouns before conjugated verbs and attaching them correctly to infinitives and gerunds.
- Note verbs that change meaning when reflexive to avoid confusion.
- Use common reflexive verbs daily to build familiarity.
Consistent practice with reflexive verbs will improve your fluency and understanding of Spanish daily routines and actions.