Reflexive Verbs
Reflexive verbs are conjugated with reflexive pronouns that represent the
same person as the subject.
Present Tense:
(yo)
me levanto
(tú)
te levantas
(Ud., él, ella,) se levanta
(nosotros)
nos levantamos
(vosotros)
os levantáis
(Uds., ellos, ellas,) se levantan
In Infinitive Constructions the reflexive pronouns usually come after the
infinitive and are attached to it.
Paco no quiere levantarse.
Uses of Reflexive Verbs:
1. Used to indicate that the subject is performing the action to or for
himself.
Juan se mira en el espejo.
Juan looks at himself in the mirror.
The Spanish pronouns me, te, se, nos, os are sometimes expressed
in English by the pronouns myself, yourself, himself/herself,
ourselves, yourselves.
With verbs related to personal care, Spanish generally uses the
definite article (and NOT the possessive adjective) with parts of the
body and articles of clothing.
Te cepillas los dientes.
You brush your teeth.
Me quito los zapatos.
I take off my shoes.
2. Often used to express a physical, mental, or social condition. In
English this is expressed by verbs such as to get, to be getting, to
become, to be growing.
Nos levantamos.
¿Por qué te pones furioso?
Alicia se casa.
Quiero hacerme doctor.
We are getting up.
Why are you getting angry?
Alicia is getting married.
I want to become a doctor.
3. Often used idiomatically. In these cases, Spanish reflexive verbs
correspond to non-reflexive verbs in English.
Se queja de todo.
He complains about everything.
4. Used to express a reciprocal action. In English, reciprocal action is
often rendered by the construction each other or one another.
Tomás y Elena se quieren.
Vamos a escribirnos.
Tomás and Elena love each other.
We are going to write to each other.