{"id":4246,"date":"2019-01-16T10:00:11","date_gmt":"2019-01-16T18:00:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/mydailyspanish.com\/?p=4246"},"modified":"2022-08-24T23:17:57","modified_gmt":"2022-08-25T07:17:57","slug":"spanish-reflexive-verbs","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mydailyspanish.com\/spanish-reflexive-verbs\/","title":{"rendered":"A Quick Guide to Reflexive Verbs in Spanish"},"content":{"rendered":"

Spanish reflexive verbs are easy to recognize because they have \u2018se<\/em>\u2019 on the end of their infinitive form, which means that the subject and the object of the verb are the same person. Basically, it\u2019s something that one does to oneself. <\/p>\n

\"Reflexive<\/span><\/p>\n

How to form Spanish reflexive verbs<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Reflexive verbs in Spanish are pretty easy to use. All you have to do is conjugate the verb as normal and then put the appropriate reflexive pronoun in front of the verb. Here are the pronouns:<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\t\n\t
me<\/i><\/strong><\/td>myself<\/td>nos<\/i><\/strong><\/td>ourselves<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
te<\/i><\/strong><\/td>yourself<\/td>os<\/i><\/strong><\/td>yourselves<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
se<\/i><\/strong><\/td>himself\/herself\/itself
\nyourself (formal)<\/td>		se<\/i><\/strong><\/td>themselves
\nyourselves (plural formal)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n

Quick tip<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Be sure that you don\u2019t confuse these with Spanish direct and indirect object pronouns<\/u><\/strong><\/a>, which look similar but aren\u2019t quite the same. With reflexive verbs, the subject and the object are always the same person.<\/p>\n

Common reflexive verbs<\/strong><\/h2>\n

<\/p>\n

Some verbs get used in a kind of reflexive way, but aren\u2019t truly reflexive. The proper reflexive verbs will have \u2018se<\/em>\u2019 at the end of the infinitive when you look them up in the dictionary.<\/p>\n

A lot of the most common ones refer to daily routine<\/strong><\/a>:<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t
despertarse<\/i><\/td>to wake up<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
levantarse<\/i><\/td>to get up<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
ducharse<\/i><\/td>to take a shower<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
ba\u00f1arse<\/i><\/td>to bathe<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
lavarse<\/i><\/td>to wash oneself<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
vestirse<\/i><\/td>to get dressed<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
peinarse<\/i><\/td>to comb one\u2019s hair<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
afeitarse<\/i><\/td>to shave<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
maquillarse<\/i><\/td>to put on makeup<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
desvestirse<\/i><\/td>to undress<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
acostarse<\/i><\/td>to go to bed<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n

See also: <\/strong>65 Spanish Words and Phrases to Express your Daily Routine<\/strong><\/u><\/a><\/p>\n

These are all things that you do to yourself, even though we don\u2019t explicitly say so in English. Check out these examples:<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t
Infinitive<\/Strong><\/td>Spanish<\/Strong><\/td>Literal translation<\/Strong><\/td>English<\/Strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
despertarse<\/i><\/td>Me despierto a las 7.<\/i><\/td>I wake myself up at 7.<\/td>I wake up at 7.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
levantarse<\/i><\/td>Juan se levant\u00f3 a las 8.<\/i><\/td>Juan got himself up at 8.<\/td>Juan got up at 8.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
ducharse<\/i><\/td>Ya me he duchado.<\/i><\/td>I have already showered myself.<\/td>I\u2019ve already showered.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
ba\u00f1arse<\/i><\/td>\u00bfVas a ba\u00f1arte?<\/i><\/td>Are you going to bathe yourself?<\/td>Are you going to take a bath?<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
lavarse<\/i><\/td>Me lavo.<\/i><\/td>I wash myself.<\/td>I have a wash.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
vestirse<\/i><\/td>V\u00edstete.<\/i><\/td>Get yourself dressed.<\/td>Get dressed.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
peinarse<\/i><\/td>Se peinar\u00e1n.<\/i><\/td>They will comb their own hair.<\/td>They\u2019ll comb their hair.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
afeitarse<\/i><\/td>Pedro se afeito cada d\u00eda.<\/i><\/td>Pedro shaves himself every day.<\/td>Pedro shaves every day.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
maquillarse<\/i><\/td>Me maquillo cuando salgo de fiesta.<\/i><\/td>I put makeup on myself when I go to parties.<\/td>I put makeup on when I go to parties.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
desvestirse<\/i><\/td>Me desvisto antes de ir a la cama.<\/i><\/td>I undress myself before going to bed.<\/td>I undress before going to bed.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
acostarse<\/i><\/td>\u00bfTe acostaste temprano?<\/i><\/td>Did you go (get yourself into) to bed early?<\/td>Did you go to bed early?<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n

Order \u2013 where to put the Spanish reflexive pronouns in a sentence<\/strong><\/h2>\n

In the present tense<\/strong>, the reflexive pronoun goes directly before the verb, for example:<\/p>\n

(Yo) me visto. <\/em>I get dressed\/I dress myself.<\/p>\n

This is the same for any other simple tenses. <\/strong>See some examples below.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\t\n\t
(T\u00fa) te despertar\u00e1s a las 6.<\/i><\/td>You will wake up at 6.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Ana se acost\u00f3 a medianoche.<\/i><\/td>Ana went to bed at midnight.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
(Nosotros) nos duchar\u00edamos si hubiera agua caliente.<\/i><\/td>We would shower if there were any hot water.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n

via GIPHY<\/a><\/p>\n

In compound tenses<\/strong>, like the perfect tense, the reflexive pronoun goes right at the start, before the haber <\/em>and the main verb.<\/p>\n

Some examples:<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t
(Vosotros) os hab\u00e9is peinado.<\/i><\/td>You have all combed your hair.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
(Ella) se hab\u00eda maquillado.<\/i><\/td>She had done her makeup.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
(Nosotros) nos habr\u00edamos levantado.<\/i><\/td>We would have got up.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Si (ellos) ya se hubieran peinado, habr\u00edamos ahorrado tiempo.<\/i><\/td>If they had already combed their hair, we would have saved time.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Me habr\u00e9 vestido.<\/i><\/td>I will have got dressed.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n

via GIPHY<\/a><\/p>\n

If we are using the verb in the infinitive<\/strong>, you can just stick the pronoun straight on the end. Sometimes it\u2019s also possible to put it before the verb(s).<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\t\n\t
Voy a ba\u00f1arme.
\nMe voy a ba\u00f1ar.<\/i><\/td>		I am going to bathe myself.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Tienes que acostarte.
\nTe tienes que acostar.<\/i><\/td>		You have to go to bed.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
No es necesario maquillarse.<\/i><\/td>It is not necessary to put on makeup.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n

The same rule applies with the gerund<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\t\n\t
Estoy pein\u00e1ndome.*
\nMe estoy peinando.<\/td>		I am doing my hair.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Pablo estaba afeit\u00e1ndose.*
\nPablo se estaba afeitando.<\/td>		Pablo was shaving himself.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Estar\u00e1n visti\u00e9ndose.*
\nSe estar\u00e1n vistiendo.<\/td>		They\u2019ll be getting dressed.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n

<\/p>\n

* When you add this extra syllable to the end of a word, you may need to add an accent to make sure the stress stays in the correct place.<\/em><\/p>\n

In the positive imperative<\/strong> (that\u2019s giving commands and telling people to do things), the pronoun always just goes straight on the end. As with the gerund, you may have to throw in an accent to keep the emphasis on the right syllable. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\t\n\t
\u00a1Despi\u00e9rtate ahora mismo!<\/td>Wake up right now!<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Duchaos.*<\/td>Get yourselves showered.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
V\u00edstanse<\/td>Get dressed. (formal plural)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n

*The imperative form of duchar<\/em> for vosotros<\/em> (you informal plural) is duchad.<\/em> The final \u2018d<\/em>\u2019 is dropped when we add the \u2018os.\u2019<\/em><\/p>\n

via GIPHY<\/a><\/p>\n

For the negative imperative<\/strong> (i.e. telling someone NOT to do something), the pronoun goes between the no<\/em> and the verb.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\t\n\t
No te maquilles.<\/td>Don\u2019t put makeup on.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
No os ba\u00f1\u00e9is, el agua cuesta mucho.<\/td>Don\u2019t take baths, the water costs a lot.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
No se levanten.<\/td>Don\u2019t get up. (formal plural)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n

With another object<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Sometimes we can use reflexive verbs with an additional object. In the following examples, <\/span>yo<\/span><\/span> is the subject, the <\/span>dark green<\/span> words are the direct objects, and the <\/span>indigo <\/span>is the indirect object.<\/span><\/p>\n

Yo <\/span><\/span>lavo <\/span>el coche<\/span><\/span>.<\/span> = I wash the car.<\/span><\/p>\n

Yo <\/span><\/span>me <\/span><\/span>lavo.<\/span> = I wash myself.<\/span><\/p>\n

Yo <\/span><\/span>me <\/span><\/span>lavo <\/span>las manos<\/span><\/span>.<\/span> = I wash my hands.<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

This construction means that we don\u2019t always use possessive pronouns (my, your, his, etc.) in Spanish in the same way as in English. The reflexive pronoun makes it clear that you\u2019re referring to your own body parts!<\/p>\n

It works with some of the verbs we\u2019ve already looked at, and other phrases form in similar ways:<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t
Me cepillo los dientes.<\/td>I brush my teeth.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Se afeit\u00f3 la barba.<\/td>He shaved his beard.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Nos peinamos el pelo.<\/td>We combed our hair.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\u00a1Cuidado! Te vas a cortar con el vidrio.<\/td>Careful! You\u2019ll cut yourself on the glass.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n

via GIPHY<\/a><\/p>\n

Other examples<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Some verbs mean one thing, but when you add \u2018se<\/em>,\u2019 they act like reflexive verbs (for the grammar nerds, they become what we call \u201cpronominal verbs\u201d) and take on a slightly different meaning. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t
aburrir<\/td>to bore<\/td>aburrirse<\/td>to be\/get bored<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
despedir<\/td>to sack\/fire<\/td>despedirse<\/td>to say goodbye<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
llamar<\/td>to call<\/td>llamarse<\/td>to be called (e.g. me llamo Ana.)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
negar<\/td>to deny<\/td>negarse a<\/td>to refuse to do something<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
perder<\/td>to lose<\/td>perderse<\/td>to lose oneself\/get lost<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
poner<\/td>to put<\/td>ponerse<\/td>to put on (a garment)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
preocupar<\/td>to worry<\/td>preocuparse<\/td>to worry someone<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
quitar<\/td>to remove\/take away<\/td>quitarse<\/td>to take off (a garment)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n

Mini Quiz<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Let\u2019s try out a few questions to see if you\u2019ve got the idea!<\/p>\n

First of all, translate the following:<\/p>\n

1. Me despert\u00e9 muy tarde.<\/em><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

Click to reveal the correct answer<\/h4>\n

I woke up very late.<\/p>\n

2. Te llamas Juan.<\/em><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

Click to reveal the correct answer<\/h4>\n

You are called Juan.<\/p>\n

3. \u00bfOs hab\u00e9is cepillado los dientes?<\/em><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

Click to reveal the correct answer<\/h4>\n

Have you guys brushed your teeth?<\/p>\n

Now try filling in the gaps:<\/p>\n

4. I woke up like this. = ____ despert\u00e9 as\u00ed.<\/em><\/p>\n

    <\/p>\n

    a. Te<\/em><\/p>\n

    <\/em><\/em><\/em><\/p>\n

    b. Me<\/em><\/p>\n

    <\/em><\/em><\/em><\/p>\n

    c. Se<\/em><\/p>\n

    <\/em><\/em><\/ol>\n

    <\/span><\/p>\n

    Click to reveal the correct answer<\/h4>\n

    b. Me<\/p>\n

    <\/p>\n

    5. They are combing their hair. = ____est\u00e1n peinando.<\/em><\/em><\/p>\n

    <\/p>\n

      <\/p>\n

      a. Les<\/em><\/p>\n

      <\/em><\/em><\/em><\/p>\n

      b. Te<\/em><\/p>\n

      <\/em><\/em><\/em><\/p>\n

      c. Se<\/em><\/p>\n

      <\/em><\/em><\/ol>\n

      <\/span><\/p>\n

      Click to reveal the correct answer<\/h4>\n

      c. Se<\/p>\n

      6. You have to go to bed at 9. = Tienes que acostar ____ a las 9.<\/em><\/p>\n

      <\/p>\n

        <\/p>\n

        a. Se<\/em><\/p>\n

        <\/em><\/em><\/em><\/p>\n

        b. Te<\/em><\/p>\n

        <\/em><\/em><\/em><\/p>\n

        c. Me<\/em><\/p>\n

        <\/em><\/em><\/ol>\n

        <\/span><\/p>\n

        Click to reveal the correct answer<\/h4>\n

        b. te<\/p>\n

        Conclusion<\/strong><\/h2>\n

        Well done, you\u2019ve made it to the end of another grammar article, which we hope has been useful! We\u2019ve shown you what reflexive verbs look like, what they\u2019re used for, and given you a summary of how to use them in various tenses. Have fun practicing them, a little each day. \u00a1Hasta luego!<\/p>\n

        For more grammar lessons, check out My Spanish Routine Volume 1 with audio!<\/p>\n

        Pin this!<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

        \"spanish<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

        Spanish reflexive verbs are easy to recognize because they have \u2018se\u2019 on the end of their infinitive form, which means that the subject and the object of the verb are the same person. Basically, it\u2019s something that one does to oneself. How to form Spanish reflexive verbs Reflexive verbs in Spanish are pretty easy to […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":14,"featured_media":4640,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":"","tve_updated_post":"

        Spanish reflexive verbs are easy to recognize because they have \u2018se<\/em>\u2019 on the end of their infinitive form, which means that the subject and the object of the verb are the same person. Basically, it\u2019s something that one does to oneself. <\/p><\/div>

        \"Reflexive<\/span><\/div>
        \n
        \nQuick Navigation<\/span>\n
        How to form Spanish reflexive verbs<\/a><\/div>
        Common reflexive verbs\n<\/a><\/div>
        Order \u2013 where to put the Spanish reflexive pronouns in a sentence\n<\/a><\/div>
        With another object<\/a><\/div>
        Other examples\n<\/a><\/div>
        Mini Quiz\n<\/a><\/div>
        Conclusion\n<\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>

        How to form Spanish reflexive verbs<\/strong><\/h2><\/div>

        Reflexive verbs in Spanish are pretty easy to use. All you have to do is conjugate the verb as normal and then put the appropriate reflexive pronoun in front of the verb. Here are the pronouns:<\/p><\/div>

        ___TVE_SHORTCODE_RAW__<p>[table id=149 \/]<\/p>__TVE_SHORTCODE_RAW___<\/div><\/div>
        \n
        <\/div>\n
        \n<\/path>\n<\/svg><\/div>

        Quick tip<\/strong><\/h4><\/div>

        Be sure that you don\u2019t confuse these with Spanish direct and indirect object pronouns<\/u><\/strong><\/a>, which look similar but aren\u2019t quite the same. With reflexive verbs, the subject and the object are always the same person.<\/p><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>

        Common reflexive verbs<\/strong><\/h2><\/div>

        Some verbs get used in a kind of reflexive way, but aren\u2019t truly reflexive. The proper reflexive verbs will have \u2018se<\/em>\u2019 at the end of the infinitive when you look them up in the dictionary.<\/p>

        A lot of the most common ones refer to daily routine<\/strong><\/a>:
        <\/p><\/div>

        ___TVE_SHORTCODE_RAW__<p>[table id=150 \/]<\/p>__TVE_SHORTCODE_RAW___<\/div><\/div>

        See also: <\/strong>65 Spanish Words and Phrases to Express your Daily Routine<\/strong><\/u><\/a><\/p><\/div>

        These are all things that you do to yourself, even though we don\u2019t explicitly say so in English. Check out these examples:<\/p><\/div>

        ___TVE_SHORTCODE_RAW__<p>[table id=151 \/]<\/p>__TVE_SHORTCODE_RAW___<\/div><\/div>

        Order \u2013 where to put the Spanish reflexive pronouns in a sentence<\/strong><\/h2><\/div>

        In the present tense<\/strong>, the reflexive pronoun goes directly before the verb, for example:<\/p>

        (Yo) me visto. <\/em>I get dressed\/I dress myself.<\/p><\/div>

        This is the same for any other simple tenses. <\/strong>See some examples below.<\/p><\/div>

        ___TVE_SHORTCODE_RAW__<p>[table id=152 \/]<\/p>__TVE_SHORTCODE_RAW___<\/div><\/div>
        ___TVE_SHORTCODE_RAW__<div style=\"text-align: center;\"><p><iframe class=\"giphy-embed\" src=\"https:\/\/giphy.com\/embed\/l3vQWyXpzzX7sX7Q4\" width=\"480\" height=\"266\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><\/iframe><\/p><p><a href=\"https:\/\/giphy.com\/gifs\/jerseydemic-l3vQWyXpzzX7sX7Q4\">via GIPHY<\/a><\/p><\/div>__TVE_SHORTCODE_RAW___<\/div><\/div>

        In compound tenses<\/strong>, like the perfect tense, the reflexive pronoun goes right at the start, before the haber <\/em>and the main verb.<\/p>

        Some examples:<\/p><\/div>

        ___TVE_SHORTCODE_RAW__<p>[table id=153 \/]<\/p>__TVE_SHORTCODE_RAW___<\/div><\/div>
        ___TVE_SHORTCODE_RAW__<div style=\"text-align: center;\"><p><iframe class=\"giphy-embed\" src=\"https:\/\/giphy.com\/embed\/f4cH0FXbUmogg\" width=\"480\" height=\"329\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><\/iframe><\/p><p><a href=\"https:\/\/giphy.com\/gifs\/disney-cinderella-f4cH0FXbUmogg\">via GIPHY<\/a><\/p><\/div>__TVE_SHORTCODE_RAW___<\/div><\/div>

        If we are using the verb in the infinitive<\/strong>, you can just stick the pronoun straight on the end. Sometimes it\u2019s also possible to put it before the verb(s).\n<\/p><\/div>

        ___TVE_SHORTCODE_RAW__<p>[table id=155 \/]<\/p>__TVE_SHORTCODE_RAW___<\/div><\/div>

        The same rule applies with the gerund<\/strong>.<\/p><\/div>

        ___TVE_SHORTCODE_RAW__<p>[table id=156 \/]<\/p>__TVE_SHORTCODE_RAW___<\/div><\/div>

        * When you add this extra syllable to the end of a word, you may need to add an accent to make sure the stress stays in the correct place.<\/em><\/p>In the positive imperative<\/strong> (that\u2019s giving commands and telling people to do things), the pronoun always just goes straight on the end. As with the gerund, you may have to throw in an accent to keep the emphasis on the right syllable. <\/div>

        ___TVE_SHORTCODE_RAW__<p>[table id=157 \/]<\/p>__TVE_SHORTCODE_RAW___<\/div><\/div>

        *The imperative form of duchar<\/em> for vosotros<\/em> (you informal plural) is duchad.<\/em> The final \u2018d<\/em>\u2019 is dropped when we add the \u2018os.\u2019<\/em>\n<\/p><\/div>

        ___TVE_SHORTCODE_RAW__<div style=\"text-align: center;\"><p><iframe class=\"giphy-embed\" src=\"https:\/\/giphy.com\/embed\/26xBPPcBnFA6kVXsk\" width=\"480\" height=\"271\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><\/iframe><\/p><p><a href=\"https:\/\/giphy.com\/gifs\/jerseydemic-26xBPPcBnFA6kVXsk\">via GIPHY<\/a><\/p><\/div>__TVE_SHORTCODE_RAW___<\/div><\/div>

        For the negative imperative<\/strong> (i.e. telling someone NOT to do something), the pronoun goes between the no<\/em> and the verb.<\/p><\/div>

        ___TVE_SHORTCODE_RAW__<p>[table id=159 \/]<\/p>__TVE_SHORTCODE_RAW___<\/div><\/div>

        With another object<\/strong><\/h2><\/div>
        ___TVE_SHORTCODE_RAW__<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sometimes we can use reflexive verbs with an additional object. In the following examples, <\/span><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">yo<\/span><\/i><\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">is the subject, the <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #00b050;\">dark green<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> words are the direct objects, and the <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #0070c0;\">indigo <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">is the indirect object.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Yo <\/span><\/i><\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">lavo <\/span><\/i><span style=\"color: #00b050;\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">el coche<\/span><\/i><\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> = I wash the car.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Yo <\/span><\/i><\/span><span style=\"color: #00b050;\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">me <\/span><\/i><\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">lavo.<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> = I wash myself.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Yo <\/span><\/i><\/span><span style=\"color: #0070c0;\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">me <\/span><\/i><\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">lavo <\/span><\/i><span style=\"color: #00b050;\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">las manos<\/span><\/i><\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> = I wash my hands.<\/span><\/p>__TVE_SHORTCODE_RAW___<\/div><\/div>

        This construction means that we don\u2019t always use possessive pronouns (my, your, his, etc.) in Spanish in the same way as in English. The reflexive pronoun makes it clear that you\u2019re referring to your own body parts!<\/p>

        It works with some of the verbs we\u2019ve already looked at, and other phrases form in similar ways:<\/p><\/div>

        ___TVE_SHORTCODE_RAW__<p>[table id=160 \/]<\/p>__TVE_SHORTCODE_RAW___<\/div><\/div>
        ___TVE_SHORTCODE_RAW__<div style=\"text-align: center;\"><p><iframe class=\"giphy-embed\" src=\"https:\/\/giphy.com\/embed\/3o6nV5stSEDvLLaQhi\" width=\"480\" height=\"360\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><\/iframe><\/p><p><a href=\"https:\/\/giphy.com\/gifs\/splat-nicksplat-the-amanda-show-3o6nV5stSEDvLLaQhi\">via GIPHY<\/a><\/p><\/div>__TVE_SHORTCODE_RAW___<\/div><\/div>

        Other examples<\/strong><\/h2><\/div>

        Some verbs mean one thing, but when you add \u2018se<\/em>,\u2019 they act like reflexive verbs (for the grammar nerds, they become what we call \u201cpronominal verbs\u201d) and take on a slightly different meaning. <\/p><\/div>

        ___TVE_SHORTCODE_RAW__<p>[table id=161 \/]<\/p>__TVE_SHORTCODE_RAW___<\/div><\/div>

        Mini Quiz<\/strong><\/h2><\/div>

        Let\u2019s try out a few questions to see if you\u2019ve got the idea!<\/p><\/div>

        First of all, translate the following:<\/p>

        1. Me despert\u00e9 muy tarde.<\/em><\/p>

        <\/p><\/div>

        \n
        \n
        \n
        <\/span>\n

        Click to reveal the correct answer<\/h4>\n<\/div>\n

        I woke up very late.\n<\/p><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>

        2. Te llamas Juan.<\/em><\/p><\/div>

        \n
        \n
        \n
        <\/span>\n

        Click to reveal the correct answer<\/h4>\n<\/div>\n

        You are called Juan.\n<\/p><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>

        3. \u00bfOs hab\u00e9is cepillado los dientes?<\/em><\/p><\/div>

        \n
        \n
        \n
        <\/span>\n

        Click to reveal the correct answer<\/h4>\n<\/div>\n

        Have you guys brushed your teeth?\n<\/p><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>

        Now try filling in the gaps:<\/p>

        4. I woke up like this. = ____ despert\u00e9 as\u00ed.<\/em><\/p>

        <\/p><\/div>

          a. Te<\/em><\/p><\/em>

          b. Me<\/em><\/p><\/em>

          c. Se<\/em><\/p><\/em><\/ol><\/div>

          \n
          \n
          \n
          <\/span>\n

          Click to reveal the correct answer<\/h4>\n<\/div>\n

          b. Me<\/p><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>

          5. They are combing their hair. = ____est\u00e1n peinando.<\/em><\/em><\/p>

          <\/p>

            a. Les<\/em><\/p><\/em>

            b. Te<\/em><\/p><\/em>

            c. Se<\/em><\/p><\/em><\/ol><\/div>

            \n
            \n
            \n
            <\/span>\n

            Click to reveal the correct answer<\/h4>\n<\/div>\n

            c. Se<\/p><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>

            6. You have to go to bed at 9. = Tienes que acostar ____ a las 9.<\/em>\n<\/p><\/div>

            <\/p>

              a. Se<\/em><\/p><\/em>

              b. Te<\/em><\/p><\/em>

              c. Me<\/em><\/p><\/em><\/ol><\/div>

              \n
              \n
              \n
              <\/span>\n

              Click to reveal the correct answer<\/h4>\n<\/div>\n

              b. te<\/p><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>

              Conclusion<\/strong><\/h2><\/div>

              Well done, you\u2019ve made it to the end of another grammar article, which we hope has been useful! We\u2019ve shown you what reflexive verbs look like, what they\u2019re used for, and given you a summary of how to use them in various tenses. Have fun practicing them, a little each day. \u00a1Hasta luego!<\/p>

              For more grammar lessons, check out My Spanish Routine Volume 1 with audio!<\/p><\/div>

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