Reflexive verbs in Spanish are a crucial part of the language, allowing speakers to indicate that the subject of a verb is also its object. This means the action is performed on the subject itself. Understanding reflexive verbs involves learning their unique structure, conjugation patterns, and specific uses. In this guide, we'll explore reflexive verbs in-depth, covering their forms, functions, and usage with plenty of examples.
Understanding Reflexive Verbs
Reflexive verbs occur when the subject and the object of the action are the same. These verbs are easily identified by the reflexive pronoun attached to the infinitive form, such as "lavarse" (to wash oneself) or "levantarse" (to get up).
Reflexive Pronouns
Reflexive verbs are always used with reflexive pronouns. These pronouns change according to the subject of the verb:
- me (myself)
- te (yourself, informal singular)
- se (himself, herself, yourself formal singular, themselves, yourselves formal plural)
- nos (ourselves)
- os (yourselves, informal plural)
These pronouns are placed before the conjugated verb or attached to the end of an infinitive or gerund.
Conjugating Reflexive Verbs
To conjugate a reflexive verb:
- Identify the infinitive verb and the reflexive pronoun.
- Example: lavarse (to wash oneself)
- Remove the reflexive pronoun.
- Result: lavar
- Conjugate the verb in the present tense.
- Example: yo lavo, tú lavas, él/ella/usted lava, nosotros lavamos, vosotros laváis, ellos/ellas/ustedes lavan
- Add the appropriate reflexive pronoun before the conjugated verb.
- Example: yo me lavo, tú te lavas, él/ella/usted se lava, nosotros nos lavamos, vosotros os laváis, ellos/ellas/ustedes se lavan
Example: Conjugating "Levantarse"
"Levantarse" is a common reflexive verb. Let's conjugate it in the present tense:
- Infinitive form: levantarse
- Remove the reflexive pronoun: levantar
- Conjugate: yo levanto, tú levantas, él/ella/usted levanta, nosotros levantamos, vosotros levantáis, ellos/ellas/ustedes levantan
- Add reflexive pronouns: yo me levanto, tú te levantas, él/ella/usted se levanta, nosotros nos levantamos, vosotros os levantáis, ellos/ellas/ustedes se levantan
Common Uses of Reflexive Verbs
1. Daily Routines and Personal Care
Reflexive verbs often describe actions related to personal care and daily routines.
- Lavarse (to wash oneself) - Yo me lavo las manos (I wash my hands)
- Cepillarse (to brush oneself) - Tú te cepillas los dientes (You brush your teeth)
- Afeitarse (to shave oneself) - Él se afeita todos los días (He shaves every day)
2. Emotional States and Changes
Reflexive verbs also describe changes in emotional states.
- Enojarse (to get angry) - Ella se enoja fácilmente (She gets angry easily)
- Alegrarse (to be happy) - Me alegro de verte (I am happy to see you)
- Preocuparse (to worry) - Nos preocupamos por el examen (We are worried about the exam)
3. Reciprocal Actions
When two or more subjects perform an action on each other, reflexive verbs are used.
- Abrazarse (to hug each other) - Ellos se abrazan cuando se encuentran (They hug each other when they meet)
- Besarse (to kiss each other) - Los novios se besan al despedirse (The couple kiss each other when they say goodbye)
Reflexive vs. Non-Reflexive Meaning
Some verbs can be used both reflexively and non-reflexively with different meanings.
-
Llamar (to call) vs. Llamarse (to be named)
- Non-reflexive: Ella llama a su amigo (She calls her friend)
- Reflexive: Ella se llama María (Her name is María)
-
Poner (to put) vs. Ponerse (to put on oneself, to become)
- Non-reflexive: Yo pongo el libro en la mesa (I put the book on the table)
- Reflexive: Yo me pongo la chaqueta (I put on my jacket)
Common Reflexive Verbs
Here is a list of commonly used reflexive verbs along with their meanings:
- Acostarse (to go to bed)
- Bañarse (to bathe oneself)
- Despertarse (to wake up)
- Dormirse (to fall asleep)
- Ducharse (to shower oneself)
- Enamorarse (to fall in love)
- Sentarse (to sit down)
- Sentirse (to feel)
- Irse (to leave)
- Quedarse (to stay)
Reflexive Verbs in Different Tenses
Reflexive verbs can be conjugated in all tenses. Let's see some examples:
- Present Tense: Yo me levanto temprano (I get up early)
- Preterite Tense: Yo me levanté temprano (I got up early)
- Imperfect Tense: Yo me levantaba temprano todos los días (I used to get up early every day)
- Future Tense: Yo me levantaré temprano mañana (I will get up early tomorrow)
- Conditional Tense: Yo me levantaría temprano si tuviera que hacerlo (I would get up early if I had to)
Reflexive Constructions with Infinitives and Gerunds
Reflexive pronouns can be attached to the end of infinitives and gerunds or placed before the conjugated verb.
- Infinitive: Voy a lavarme las manos (I am going to wash my hands)
- Gerund: Estoy lavándome las manos (I am washing my hands)
Reflexive Verbs in Commands
In affirmative commands, the reflexive pronoun is attached to the end of the verb. In negative commands, the pronoun is placed before the verb.
- Affirmative Commands: Lávate las manos (Wash your hands)
- Negative Commands: No te laves las manos (Don’t wash your hands)
Special Cases and Nuances
Verbs That Change Meaning When Reflexive
Some verbs change meaning when used reflexively.
-
Volver (to return) vs. Volverse (to become)
- Non-reflexive: Él vuelve a casa (He returns home)
- Reflexive: Él se vuelve loco (He becomes crazy)
-
Ir (to go) vs. Irse (to leave)
- Non-reflexive: Yo voy al cine (I am going to the cinema)
- Reflexive: Yo me voy a las ocho (I am leaving at eight)
Reflexive Verbs with Prepositions
Some reflexive verbs are often used with specific prepositions, which can change the meaning.
- Fijarse en (to notice) - Me fijo en los detalles (I notice the details)
- Darse cuenta de (to realize) - Me doy cuenta de que está lloviendo (I realize that it is raining)
- Enamorarse de (to fall in love with) - Se enamora de ella (He falls in love with her)
Reflexive Verbs in Different Moods
Reflexive verbs can also be used in different moods (indicative, subjunctive, imperative) just like regular verbs.
- Subjunctive Mood: Espero que tú te sientas mejor (I hope you feel better)
- Imperative Mood: Lávate las manos (Wash your hands)
Reflexive Verbs in Passive Constructions
Reflexive verbs can sometimes form passive constructions in Spanish, often implying that an action is happening to the subject without specifying the doer.
- Se venden coches aquí (Cars are sold here)
- Se alquilan apartamentos (Apartments are rented)
Nuances of Reflexive Verbs: Emphasis and Specificity
Reflexive verbs can add emphasis or specificity to an action.
- Me como una manzana (I eat an apple, emphasizing that I eat it myself)
- Me bebo el jugo (I drink the juice, emphasizing that I drink it myself)
Reflexive Verbs in Idiomatic Expressions
Spanish uses reflexive verbs in many idiomatic expressions.
- Darse prisa (to hurry up) - ¡Date prisa! (Hurry up!)
- Portarse bien/mal (to behave well/badly) - Los niños se portan bien (The children behave well)
Common Mistakes and Tips
- Forgetting the Reflexive Pronoun: Always remember to include the reflexive pronoun. For example, "Me levanto" instead of just "Levanto."
- Incorrect Pronoun Placement: Ensure pronouns are correctly placed. For example, in commands, "Levántate" not "Te levanta."
- Confusing Reflexive with Non-Reflexive Verbs: Be careful not to mix reflexive and non-reflexive forms as they often have different meanings
