Reflexive verbsAnd pronouns

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A reflexive verb is when a person doing an action is also receiving the action.

• I’m taking a bath. ReflexiveMe baño.

• I’m bathing my little brother. Non-ReflexiveYo baño a mi hermanito.

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In Spanish when using a reflexive verb you will also have to use a reflexive pronoun.

Me NosTeSe Se

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Singular Plural

me (myself) nos (ourselves)te ( yourself) xse (him/her, your, it-self) se (themselves)

Reflexive object pronouns

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There are four placements of reflexive pronouns.

1. In front of the conjugated verb.• Me baño

2. Attached to the infinitive of the verb.

2. Yo quiero bañarme.3. Attached to the affirmative

command.3. Báñate.

4. In front of the negative command.4. No te bañes.Álamo

Nearly all verbs in Spanish can be either reflexive or non-reflexive. However, there are certain actions that usually are reflexive due to the nature of the action:

acostarse dormirse (o-> ue)afeitarse ducharsecasarse(con alguien) enfermarsecepillarse enojarsedespertarse (e -> ie) lavarse

desvestirse (e-> i) levantarse llamarse mirarse

peinarse ponerse (to become)ponerse(la ropa) preocuparse(por)probarse (o-> ue) quitarsesecarse sentarse (e-> ie)

verse vestirse (e->i)

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Do not use possessive adejctives with reflexive verbs. Use the definite article instead.

Ex. Anita se lava la cara.

reflexive pronoun def.article

reflexive verb

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When an infinitive follows a conjugated verb, the refleive pronoun can be placed before the conjugated verb or attached to the infinitive

Ex. Me voy a acostar a las once. Voy a acostarme a las once.

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Note: Some verbs have different meanings when used reflexively.

Dormir to sleep dormirse to fall asleep

Poner to put ponerse to put on (clothes)

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