Reflexive Verbs

Certain verbs in Spanish require one extra step when they are used. These verbs are called reflexive verbs.

Reflexive verbs refer to actions that people do to themselves. This construction does not really exist in English.

The following examples demonstrate the idea behind reflexive verbs.

• I got myself up at six-thirty.• She got herself dressed.

Many reflexive verbs have to do with personal hygiene and daily routines things that you do to yourself.

bañarse

ducharse

vestirse (ei)

mirarse

afeitarse

lavarse las manos

cepillarse los dientes

acostarse (oue)

dormirse (oue)

despertarse (eie)

levantarse

Hint

Because so many reflexive verbs are also stem-changing verbs, you may want to review the stem-changer PowerPoint before continuing.

How to use reflexive verbs

•Reflexive verbs follow the normal rules for conjugation; that is, the –ar, –er, or –ir is removed, and the appropriate ending is added.

•In addition, the –se is removed, and the appropriate reflexive pronoun is placed before the verb.

Reflexive Pronouns

me nos

te X

se se

Notice that these are similar to, but not the same as, direct and indirect object pronouns.

3 Easy Steps to Carefree Use of Reflexive Verbs

Step 1: Move the –se to in front of the verb.

Step 2: Conjugate the verb.

Step 3: Replace “se” with the appropriate reflexive pronoun.- The reflexive pronoun always agrees with the subject.

Step 1: Move the –se to in front of the verb.

Yo __________. (bañar )

Start your risk-free trial of our three-step program to use reflexive verbs!

se

Step 1: Move the –se to in front of the verb.

Step 2: Conjugate the verb.Yo __________. ( )arose bañ

Step 1: Move the –se to in front of the verb.

Step 2: Conjugate the verb.

Step 3: Replace “se” with the appropriate reflexive pronoun.

Yo __________.seme baño

Now you try!

Tú __________ a las seis. (levantarse)

te levantas

Notice that the reflexive pronoun and the verb agree with the subject.

Rodrigo ___________ de noche. (bañarse)

se baña

Elena y María ____________ las manos. (lavarse)

se lavan