Reflexive Verbs (Leaving Cert Spanish): Revision Notes
Reflexive verbs
Overview
Reflexive verbs are an essential part of Spanish grammar that describe actions people do to themselves or situations where the subject and object of the action are the same person. These verbs are commonly used to talk about daily routines, emotions, and personal experiences. You'll recognise them because they always include a reflexive pronoun (me, te, se, etc.) that refers back to the person doing the action.
Reflexive verbs are one of the most frequently used verb types in Spanish, appearing in countless everyday conversations. Mastering them is essential for expressing personal experiences and describing routine activities naturally.
Rules & formation
Reflexive verbs work by combining a regular verb with a reflexive pronoun that matches the subject. The verb follows normal present tense conjugation patterns, but you must include the correct reflexive pronoun before the verb.
The reflexive pronouns are:
- me (myself) - for "I"
- te (yourself) - for "you" (informal)
- se (himself/herself/itself/yourself formal) - for "he/she/it/you formal"
- nos (ourselves) - for "we"
- os (yourselves) - for "you" (plural, informal)
- se (themselves/yourselves formal) - for "they/you formal plural"
Infinitive Placement Rule When using the infinitive form, you can attach the pronoun to the end of the verb (e.g., "levantarse" becomes "voy a levantarme"). This flexibility in placement is unique to infinitive constructions.
Table of key forms
Basic conjugation pattern (using "lavarse" - to wash oneself)
| Person | Reflexive Pronoun | Verb | English |
|---|---|---|---|
| yo | me lavo | I wash (myself) | |
| tú | te lavas | you wash (yourself) | |
| él/ella/usted | se lava | he/she washes (himself/herself), you wash (yourself - formal) | |
| nosotros/as | nos lavamos | we wash (ourselves) | |
| vosotros/as | os laváis | you wash (yourselves) | |
| ellos/ellas/ustedes | se lavan | they wash (themselves), you wash (yourselves - formal) |
Useful reflexive verbs
| Infinitive | 1st person singular | English |
|---|---|---|
| ponerse | me pongo | I put on |
| quedarse | me quedo | I stay |
| llamarse | me llamo | I am called |
| perderse | me pierdo | I get lost |
| sentirse | me siento | I feel |
| levantarse | me levanto | I get up |
| dormirse | me duermo | I fall asleep |
| casarse | me caso | I get married |
| despertarse | me despierto | I wake up |
| acordarse (de) | me acuerdo | I remember |
| preocuparse | me preocupo | I worry |
| acostarse | me acuesto | I go to bed |
| quejarse | me quejo | I complain |
| enamorarse | me enamoro | I fall in love |
| divertirse | me divierto | I enjoy myself |
Example sentences
Worked Examples: Reflexive Verbs in Context
Me llamo María y me levanto a las siete. (My name is María and I get up at seven.) This shows how reflexive verbs describe personal actions and routines.
Los novios se besaron. (The bride and groom kissed each other.) Here the plural reflexive form expresses a reciprocal action between two people.
Mis amigos y yo nos vemos los fines de semana. (My friends and I see each other at weekends.) This demonstrates how plural reflexive verbs can mean "each other" rather than individual actions.
Aquí no se puede nadar. (You cannot swim here.) This shows an impersonal construction using "se" to express general rules or possibilities.
Common mistakes & tips
Critical Mistakes to Avoid
Mistake 1: Forgetting the reflexive pronoun Wrong: "Llamo Pedro" ✗ Right: "Me llamo Pedro" ✓ Always include the reflexive pronoun that matches the subject.
Mistake 2: Using the wrong pronoun Wrong: "Ella te llama Ana" ✗ Right: "Ella se llama Ana" ✓ Make sure the reflexive pronoun agrees with the subject, not the person you're talking to.
Mistake 3: Incorrect placement in infinitive constructions Wrong: "Voy a se levantar" ✗ Right: "Voy a levantarme" or "Me voy a levantar" ✓ With infinitives, you can either attach the pronoun to the end or place it before the first verb.
Mistake 4: Confusing reflexive and regular verbs Some verbs change meaning when used reflexively:
- "dormir" (to sleep) vs "dormirse" (to fall asleep)
- "ir" (to go) vs "irse" (to leave/go away)
Remember!
Key Points to Remember:
- Reflexive verbs always need a reflexive pronoun (me, te, se, nos, os, se) that matches the subject
- Many reflexive verbs describe daily routines, emotions, and personal experiences
- Plural forms (nos, os, se) can mean "each other" when describing reciprocal actions
- You can use "se" to create impersonal constructions expressing general rules
- The reflexive pronoun can go before the conjugated verb or attached to infinitives