Los verbos reflexivos
Español IV
What is a reflexive verb?
For a verb to be reflexive, the
subject of the verb must do
the action to himself or
herself.
Otherwise, just use a regular
present tense verb.
When do we use them?
 Many verbs use to describe daily
routines and personal care are
reflexive.
 In Spanish, most regular verbs
can be used as reflexive verbs to
indicate that the subject
performs the action to for
himself or herself.
What’s the difference?
 Félix divirtió a los invitados con
sus chistes.
 Félix amused the guests with his
jokes. (Not doing it to himself.)
 Félix se divirtió en la fiesta.
 Félix had fun at the party.
What’s the difference?
 Ana acostó a los gemelos antes de
las nueve.
 Ana put the twins to bed before
nine. (Not done to self)
 Ana se acostó muy tarde.
 Ana went to bed very late.
These aren’t so tricky… or are they?
Many verbs change meaning
when they are used reflexively.
aburrir
comer
dormir
ir
poner
to bore
to eat
to sleep
to go
to put, place
aburrirse
comerse
dormirse
irse
ponerse
to become bored
to eat up
to fall asleep
to go away (from)
to put on (clothes)
These aren’t so tricky… or are they?
 Some Spanish verbs and expressions
are reflexive even though their
English equivalents may not be.
darse cuenta (de) to
realize
olvidarse (de)
to forget
(about)
quejarse (de)
to
complai
n
(about)
morirse (de)
to die (of)
preocuparse
(por)
sorprenderse
(de)
to worry
(about)
to be
surprised
(about)
These aren’t so tricky… or are they?
To get or become is frequently
expressed in Spanish by the
reflexive verb ponerse +
adjective.
Ejemplo: Si no duermo bien,
me pongo insoportable.
These aren’t so tricky… or are they?
In the plural, reflexive verbs
can express reciprocal actions
done to one another.
Ejemplo: ¡Mi esposa y yo nos
peleamos demasiado!
These aren’t so tricky… or are they?
 The reflexive pronoun precedes
the direct object pronoun when
they are used together in a
sentence.
 Ejemplo: ¿Te comiste el pastel?
Sí, me lo comí todo.
These aren’t so tricky… or are they?
 If you are using a verb with an
infinitive:
 the reflexive pronoun can come before
the first conjugated verb OR
 be attached at the end of the infinitive.
 The pronoun MUST agree with the
subject.
 Ejemplo: Me voy a cepillar los dientes.
Voy a cepillarme los dientes.