Reflexive Verbs
A verb is REFLEXIVE when the
SUBJECT
DIRECT OBJECT
_________
and the ____________
SAME PERSON
are the ____________.
(The
subject does something to
himself).
AMV@MVHS
Many reflexive verbs in Spanish
describe daily routine actions.
Many of these verbs were
introduced in Spanish 2.
AFEITARSE
DUCHARSE
PREPARARSE
CEPILLARSE
ARREGLARSE
ACOSTARSE
LAVARSE
Other reflexive verbs describe a
physical or emotional state.
SENTIRSE
DIVERTIRSE
Some reflexive verbs describe a
change of state and they carry the
added meaning of “to get” or “to
become”.
ENOJARSE
ABURRIRSE
PONERSE + adj.
CANSARSE
Some verbs have a different
meaning when used reflexively.
• IR – to go
• PARECER – to seem
• QUITAR – to take away
• PERDER – to lose
• DORMIR – to sleep
• QUEDAR – to be located
• VOLVER – to return
• IRSE – to go away
• PARECERSE – to look
like
• QUITARSE – to take off
• PERDERSE – to get lost
• DORMIRSE – to fall
asleep
• QUEDARSE – to stay
• VOLVERSE – to
become
When conjugating in Spanish, reflexive
verbs require the use of a reflexive
pronoun:
• Me
• Te
• Se
• Nos
• Os
• Se
Note how “se” can be used for both singular and
plural. The use of a subject pronoun in the sentence is
recommended to clarify.
When using reflexive verbs it is very
important to have the reflexive pronoun
and the conjugated verb represent the
same person. If not, you don’t have a
reflexive verb.
For example: I wash (my own) hands.
ME lavo las manos.
Yo ___
Note the use of the definite
article instead of the possessive
adjective in the sentence.
But it’s not enough to know that
you have to use a reflexive
pronoun.
You also have to know where to
put it in the sentence!
The type of verb in the sentence will
determine the reflexive pronoun’s placement.
CONJUGATED VERB
If there’s a ___________________
in the
sentence, the reflexive pronoun goes
BEFORE
_________
the verb.
I brush my teeth.
_____
ME cepillo los dientes.
Reflexive
Conjugated
Pronoun
Verb
INFINITIVE
If there’s an ___________
in the sentence,
ATTACHED
the reflexive pronoun gets ___________
to
the verb.
We want to get up early.
Queremos levantar_____
NOS temprano.
Infinitive
Reflexive
Pronoun
“Levantarnos” is ONE WORD.
since there is also a CONJUGATED VERB
in the sentence, the reflexive pronoun can still
go BEFORE the conjugated verb.
BUT…
Queremos levantar_____
NOS temprano.
NOS queremos
_____
levantar temprano.
Infinitive Reflexive
Pronoun
Reflexive
Conjugated
Pronoun
Verb
PRESENT
PARTICIPLE in the
If there’s a __________
____________
sentence, the reflexive pronoun gets
ATTACHED
__________
to the verb.
Susi is going to bed now.
Susi está acostando
acostándo ___
SE ahora.
Participle
HOWEVER…
Reflexive Pronoun
When you attach to the end of the participle, you add
a syllable to the word, which messes with the natural
stress.
THEREFORE… The participle will need a written accent over the “A”
in –ANDO or the “E” in –IENDO or -YENDO.
BUT…
since there is also a CONJUGATED VERB
in the sentence, the reflexive pronoun can still
go BEFORE the conjugated verb, which is this
case is always a form of ESTAR.
Susi está acostándo___
SE ahora.
SE está
Susi ___
acostando ahora.
Participle Reflexive
Pronoun
Reflexive Conjugated
Pronoun
Verb
AFFIRMATIVE
If the verb in the sentence is an ____________
COMMAND
___________,
the reflexive pronoun gets
ATTACHED
___________
to the command ALWAYS
Wake up!
Despierta____
TE
Command
Reflexive
Pronoun
Affirmative commands are when you tell someone to do
something. Regular commands are formed by conjugating in
the “tú” form and dropping the “S”. Irregular commands will be
covered later this year.
Despierta__
Despiérta__
TE
HOWEVER…
When the command is more than one
syllable AND you attach to the end of the
participle, you add a syllable to the word,
which messes with the natural stress.
THEREFORE…
The command will need a written accent.
Count back 3 vowels from the end (including
the reflexive pronoun) and you will be over
the right letter MOST OF THE TIME.
NEGATIVE
If the verb in the sentence is a ________
COMMAND the reflexive pronoun goes
___________,
BEFORE the command ALWAYS
________
Don’t cut your hair!
¡No _____
TE cortes el pelo!
Reflexive
Negative
Pronoun
Command
Practice! Translate the following
sentence into Spanish:
Elena is becoming nervous (note the -ING).
Elena está poniéndose nerviosa.
OR
Elena se está poniendo nerviosa.
Practice! Translate the following
sentence into Spanish:
I suggest that we begin to get ready.
Sugiero que (nosotros) empecemos arreglarnos.
OR
Sugiero que (nosotros) nos empecemos arreglar.
Practice! Translate the following
sentence into Spanish:
I shaved yesterday.
(Yo) me afeité ayer.
Practice! Translate the following
sentence into Spanish:
Marcos and Paula want to take off their shoes.
Marcos y Paula quieren quitarse los zapatos.
OR
Marcos y Paula se quieren quitar los zapatos.
Practice! Translate the following
sentence into Spanish:
Tomás, have fun! (use a command)
Tomás, diviértete!
Practice! Translate the following
sentence into Spanish:
Students – don’t fall asleep in class!
Estudiantes - ¡no se duerman en clase!
To tell what people do TO or
FOR one another use a
RECIPROCAL verb
These verbs, like reflexive verbs,
use a reflexive pronoun…
… BUT since at least two people are
involved, only the plural pronouns NOS,
OS and SE are used.
• Mis hermanos y yo no nos
peleamos nunca.
• Alonso y Fernanda se llaman
todos los días, pero se ven muy
poco.
The placement rules for reciprocal
verbs are the same:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Put BEFORE conjugated verbs.
ATTACH to infinitives.
ATTACH to present participles.
ATTACH to affirmative commands.
Put BEFORE negative commands.
Examples of reflexive verbs that
are also used reciprocally:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
abrazarse
ayudarse
besarse
comprenderse
conocerse
contarse
entenderse
escribirse
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
To hug
To help (each other)
To kiss
To understand (one another)
To know (each other)
To tell (each other)
To understand (one another)
To write (each other)
Examples of reflexive verbs that
are also used reciprocally:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
hablarse
leerse
llamarse
llevarse bien
llevarse mal
pelearse
saludarse
verse
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
To talk to (one another)
To read (to each other)
To call (each other)
To get along well
To get along badly
To fight
To greet
To see (each other)
¿Qué recuerdas?
• What is the difference between a reflexive
and a reciprocal?
• Which are the only two reflexive pronouns
that are used with reciprocals?
• What are the placement options when
there is a present participle in the
sentence?
• Name a reflexive verb that can also be
used reciprocally.