Reflexive Verbs

When you use reflexive verbs, the subject does the action and also receives it.

Example of a Reflexive action:

I brush my teeth. This means I brush my teeth myself. It is an action that I am doing to myself.

If the sentence is I brush my dog, it is not a reflexive action because I am not receiving the action, the dog is receiving it.

María brushes her hairShe is brushing her own hair, so it is a reflexive action.

Marta brushes Ana’s hairShe is not brushing her own hair. She is brushing Ana’s hair, so it is not a reflexive action.

All reflexive verbs in Spanish have ‘se’ attached to it. This helps you identify if the verb is reflexive or not.

Some examples of reflexive verbs:afeitarse – to shave oneselfducharse – to shower

oneselfcepillarse – to brush oneselflavarse – to wash oneself

Let’s review some of the reflexive verbs

To use the reflexive verbs, it is important to know the reflexive pronouns.

(herself)

(himself)

(yourself) polite

(yourself)

(myself) (ourselves)

(yourselves)

(themselves) masc.

(themselves) fem.

How to use the reflexive pronouns with verbs like necesitar, querer, deber, pensar, tener que, ir a, etc.

• When you use reflexive verbs, you must make sure that you remove the ‘se’ from the verb and replace it with the correct reflexive pronoun.

• The reflexive pronoun must match the subject. • For example:

I need to brush my teeth.

Yo necesito cepillarme los dientes.

Let’s see some more examples:• We must wake up early everyday.

Nosotros debemos despertarnos temprano.

• Are you going to take a shower now?

¿Tú vas a ducharte ahora?

• I want to put on makeup today.

Yo quiero maquillarme hoy.

• Pedro plans on shaving afterwards.

Pedro piensa afeitarse después.