The reflexive verbs are used when the action goes from the subject to himself/ herself
(“myself,” “yourself”…). In Spanish it is mostly used in personal care, while in English it is mostly implied. While some verbs can be made into reflexive verbs, reflexive verbs that are only used in a reflexive way end in “se.” With these verbs, you must use the reflexive pronouns…it is not optional.
To conjugate a reflexive verb, you must do TWO steps: first, determine the pronoun, which must agree with the subject; then conjugate the verb in the desired tense. (The reflexive pronoun
appears before the conjugated verb). With infinitives and present progressive, the pronoun may be placed before the conjugated verb or attached to the ending.
Reflexive Pronouns me nos te os
Me baño. se
I bathe (myself). se
While this is implied in English, it is necessary to explain this in Spanish. Because someone else
could bathe you, you must use the reflexive verbs to clarify. bañarse (to bathe) – present tense: me baño, te bañas, se baña, nos bañamos, os bañáis, se bañan bañarse – preterite tense: me bañé, te bañaste, se bañó, nos bañamos, os bañasteis, se bañaron
Reciprocal verbs use only the plural pronouns “nos,” “os” and “se.” Reciprocal actions must involve more than one person to be reciprocal – otherwise, direct, indirect or reflexive
pronouns must be used. You may add “uno al otro” / “una a la otra” to reinforce the reciprocal form (just as you can add “él” or “yo” for clarification).
Reciprocal Pronouns
X nos
Nos hablamos.
Se ayudan.
X
X os se
We speak to each other/one another.
They help each other/one another.