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 (ei)
mirarse
afeitarse
lavarse las manos
cepillarse los dientes
acostarse (oue)
dormirse (oue)
despertarse (eie)
levantarse
Hint
Because so many reflexive verbs are also stemchanging 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.
Start your risk-free trial of our three-step program to use reflexive verbs!
Step 1: Move the –se to in front of
the verb.
Yo __________. (bañarse)
Step 1: Move the –se to in front of the
verb.
Step 2: Conjugate the verb.
Yo __________.
( bañar
se
o )
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 __________.
me
se baño
Now you try!
te levantas a las
Tú __________
seis. (levantarse)
Notice that the reflexive pronoun and the verb agree with the subject.
Rodrigo ___________
de noche.
se baña
(bañarse)
Elena y María ____________
las
se lavan
manos. (lavarse)