Reflexive verbs (Edexcel GCSE Spanish): Revision Notes
Reflexive verbs
What are reflexive verbs?
Reflexive verbs are action words that describe things you do to or for yourself. In Spanish, these verbs work alongside special pronouns called reflexive pronouns that show the action reflects back to the person doing it.
Reflexive verbs follow the same conjugation patterns as regular present tense verbs, but they always include a reflexive pronoun. Some reflexive verbs also undergo stem changes in their conjugation.
The reflexive pronouns are:
- me (myself)
- te (yourself)
- se (himself/herself/itself/yourself formal)
- nos (ourselves)
- os (yourselves)
- se (themselves/yourselves formal)
Present tense conjugation
Reflexive verbs work in the present tense by combining the conjugated verb with the appropriate reflexive pronoun. The pronoun must match the subject of the sentence.
Worked Example: Present Tense Conjugation
Here's how reflexive verbs work in the present tense, using lavarse (to wash oneself) and vestirse (to get dressed) as examples:
| Person | lavarse | vestirse |
|---|---|---|
| I | me lavo | me visto |
| you | te lavas | te vistes |
| he/she/it/you (polite) | se lava | se viste |
| we | nos lavamos | nos vestimos |
| you (plural) | os laváis | os vestís |
| they | se lavan | se visten |
Using reflexive verbs with infinitives
When using reflexive verbs in their infinitive form (after another verb), you can attach the reflexive pronoun to the end of the infinitive:
- Voy a levantarme. (I'm going to get up.)
The reflexive pronoun can go before the conjugated verb or attached to an infinitive, but it must always be present when using reflexive verbs.
Common reflexive verbs
Here are essential reflexive verbs you need to know for daily routine activities and common actions:
| Infinitive | First person | English |
|---|---|---|
| ponerse | me pongo | I put on |
| quedarse | me quedo | I stay |
| llamarse | me llamo | I am called |
| perderse | me pierdo | I get lost |
| sentarse | me siento | I sit down |
| levantarse | me levanto | I get up |
| llevarse (con) | me llevo (con) | I get on (with) |
| dormirse | me duermo | I fall asleep |
| divertirse | me divierto | I enjoy myself |
| casarse | me caso | I get married |
| despertarse | me despierto | I wake up |
More useful reflexive verbs
| Infinitive | First person | English |
|---|---|---|
| parecerse a | me parezco a | I look like |
| acordarse (de) | me acuerdo | I remember |
| preocuparse | me preocupo | I worry |
| atreverse a | me atrevo a | I dare to |
| acostarse | me acuesto | I go to bed |
| quejarse | me quejo | I complain |
| pelearse con | me peleo con | I fight with |
| enamorarse | me enamoro | I fall in love |
| relajarse | me relajo | I relax |
| bañarse | me baño | I have a bath |
Special uses of reflexive pronouns
Beyond personal actions, reflexive pronouns have special grammatical functions that are important to understand.
Impersonal constructions with "se"
You can use "se" to create impersonal statements, similar to "one" or "you" in English:
Impersonal "se" examples:
- Aquí no se puede jugar al fútbol. (You cannot play football here.)
- Se necesita gente con experiencia. (People with experience are needed.)
Reciprocal actions ("each other")
When used with plural subjects, reflexive pronouns can express reciprocal actions:
- Los novios se besaron. (The bride and groom kissed each other.)
- Mis amigos y yo nos vemos los fines de semana. (My friends and I see each other at weekends.)
In plural forms, reflexive pronouns often indicate mutual or reciprocal actions between people, meaning "each other" rather than "themselves."
Example sentences
Practice recognising reflexive verbs in context by studying these examples:
Sentence Practice: Reflexive Verbs in Context
Spanish: Normalmente me despierto temprano. English: I normally wake up early.
Spanish: ¿A qué hora te acuestas durante la semana? English: What time do you go to bed during the week?
Spanish: Los perros siempre se duermen al sol. English: Dogs always fall asleep in the sun.
Translation practice
Test your understanding with these translation exercises:
Translation Practice
Spanish to English:
- Mi hermano se levanta a las seis.
- Mis amigos y yo nos divertimos mucho en la fiesta.
English to Spanish: 3. I get dressed quickly in the morning. 4. We always have a good time at parties.
Answers:
- My brother gets up at six o'clock.
- My friends and I had a great time at the party.
- Me visto rápidamente por la mañana.
- Siempre nos divertimos en las fiestas.
Key Points to Remember:
- Reflexive verbs always need a reflexive pronoun that matches the subject
- The reflexive pronoun can go before the conjugated verb or attached to an infinitive
- "Se" can be used for impersonal constructions and reciprocal actions
- Many daily routine activities use reflexive verbs (getting up, washing, getting dressed)
- Reflexive pronouns in plural forms often mean "each other" when referring to mutual actions