Reflexive Verbs
Verbos reflexivos
Goal: Everyday reflexive actions
What is a Reflexive Verb?
A reflexive verb describes an action you do to yourself.
In the dictionary, they end in -se.
levantarse to get up
ducharse to shower
The Quick Rule
Reflexive pronoun + conjugated verb
The pronoun matches the subject.
The verb conjugates normally; the pronoun is an extra piece in front.
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Without the pronoun, the verb is not reflexive.
Me levanto a las siete. (I get up at seven.)
The Reflexive Pronouns
| Subject | Pronoun | Example |
|---|---|---|
| yo | me | me levanto |
| tú | te | te levantas |
| él / ella / usted | se | se levanta |
| nosotros | nos | nos levantamos |
| vosotros | os | os levantáis |
| ellos / ustedes | se | se levantan |
Pronoun Placement
The pronoun sits directly before the conjugated verb.
Me levanto a las siete.
I get up at seven.
Te duchas por la mañana.
You shower in the morning.
Se llama Ana.
Her name is Ana. (She calls herself Ana.)
Daily Routine Verbs (Part 1)
| Verb | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| despertarse | to wake up | Me despierto a las seis. |
| levantarse | to get up | Me levanto en seguida. |
| ducharse | to shower | Te duchas con agua fría. |
Daily Routine Verbs (Part 2)
| Verb | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| vestirse | to get dressed | Se viste rápido. |
| cepillarse | to brush | Nos cepillamos los dientes. |
| acostarse | to go to bed | Se acuestan a las once. |
Reflexive or Not?
Many verbs exist in both forms. The -se changes the meaning.
| Non-Reflexive | Reflexive |
|---|---|
| lavar (to wash something) Lavo el coche. | lavarse (to wash yourself) Me lavo las manos. |
Reflexive or Not? (Continued)
| Non-Reflexive | Reflexive |
|---|---|
| llamar (to call someone) Llamo a mi madre. | llamarse (to be called) Me llamo Pedro. |
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Note the change in meaning.
Llamar = to call; Llamarse = to be named.
Using Body Parts
With body parts, Spanish uses the definite article, not a possessive adjective.
Me lavo las manos. I wash my hands.
Never say "mis manos" in this context.
X
Common English speaker mistake.
Voy a lavar mis manos (wrong) -> Voy a lavarme las manos (correct).
Negation
The pronoun sits directly before the verb; "no" goes before the pronoun.
Me ducho por la noche.
I shower at night.
No me ducho por la mañana.
I don't shower in the morning.
Rule
Order for negation
no + pronoun + verb
Asking Questions
The pronoun still sits directly before the conjugated verb in questions.
¿Te levantas temprano?
Do you get up early?
¿Se ducha por la mañana?
Does he/she shower in the morning?
Word Order with Infinitives
With an infinitive, the pronoun may attach to the end.
Voy a ducharme. I am going to shower.
Me voy a duchar. I am going to shower.
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Both forms are completely correct and common.
Voy a levantarme = Me voy a levantar
Stem-Changing Reflexives
Some routine reflexives also change their stem.
| Verb | Stem Change | Example (yo) |
|---|---|---|
| despertarse | e -> ie | me despierto |
| acostarse | o -> ue | me acuesto |
| vestirse | e -> i | me visto |
Tip
Nosotros/vosotros forms keep the original stem.
nos acostamos (never "nos acuestamos")
Common Mistakes
Traps for English speakers
| Incorrect | Correct | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Yo levanto a las 7 | Yo me levanto a las 7 | Reflexive verbs need the pronoun. |
| Voy a lavar mis manos | Voy a lavarme las manos | Use reflexive + definite article, not possessive. |
| Se llamo Juan | Me llamo Juan | First person is me llamo, not se llamo. |
Key Takeaways
1
Reflexive = action done to yourself; infinitive ends in -se.
2
Pronouns: me, te, se, nos, os, se. Always before the conjugated verb.
3
Negation: no + pronoun + verb (No me levanto tarde).
4
Body parts take the article: me lavo las manos.
5
Same verb, different meaning: lavar vs lavarse.
6
With infinitives the pronoun can attach: voy a levantarme.
Practice: Fill in the Pronoun
1. Yo ___ levanto a las siete. (me)
2. Ella ___ viste rápido. (se)
3. Nosotros ___ cepillamos los dientes. (nos)
4. Tu ___ despiertas a las seis. (te)
Practice: Negation & Questions
1. ¿Tu ___ duchas por la mañana? (te)
2. No ___ acuesto tarde. (me)
3. ¿Ella ___ llama María? (se)
4. Ellos no ___ acuestan a las once. (se)
Practice: Reflexive or Not?
1. I wash the car. -> ___ el coche. (Lavo)
2. My name is Pedro. -> ___ Pedro. (Me llamo)
3. I wash my hands. -> ___ las manos. (Me lavo)
4. I call my mother. -> ___ a mi madre. (Llamo)
Lesson Complete!
Reflexive Verbs: Verbos reflexivos
Next up: More daily routines and practice!
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