Reflexive Verbs

Spanish: Verbos Reflexivos

Level: A2 Elementary

Category: verbs

Explanation

Reflexive verbs are verbs where the subject performs the action on itself. You recognize them by the "-se" ending on the infinitive, such as levantarse, ducharse, or vestirse. This means the person doing the action also receives it: "yo me levanto" (I get myself up). To conjugate a reflexive verb, we use reflexive pronouns: me, te, se, nos, os, se. Each pronoun matches a person: me (I), te (you), se (he/she/you formal), nos (we), os (you all), se (they/you all formal). The pronoun normally goes before the conjugated verb: "Me ducho por la mañana" (I shower in the morning), "Ellos se visten rápido" (They get dressed quickly). Many daily-routine verbs are reflexive: despertarse (to wake up), levantarse (to get up), ducharse (to shower), lavarse (to wash oneself), vestirse (to get dressed), peinarse (to comb one's hair), acostarse (to go to bed). Some also have stem changes, like despertarse (e→ie) and acostarse (o→ue). When there is an infinitive or gerund, the pronoun can go before the helping verb or attached to the end: "Me voy a duchar" or "Voy a ducharme". Both forms are correct and very common in spoken Spanish.

Examples

• Me levanto a las siete todos los días. - I get up at seven every day.
• Primero me ducho y después desayuno. - First I shower and then I have breakfast.
• ¿A qué hora te despiertas normalmente? - What time do you usually wake up?
• Mi hijo se viste solo por la mañana. - My son gets dressed by himself in the morning.
• Nos lavamos las manos antes de comer. - We wash our hands before eating.