Reflexive Verbs in Spanish: The Complete Guide
Reflexive verbs are very common in Spanish and often confuse learners. In this complete guide you’ll learn what they are, how to conjugate them, and when to use them.
What Are Reflexive Verbs?
A reflexive verb is when the subject does the action to itself. The subject and the object are the same person.
- Normal verb: Lavo el coche. (I wash the car)
- Reflexive verb: Me lavo. (I wash myself)
Reflexive Pronouns
| Subject | Reflexive Pronoun |
|---|---|
| Yo | me |
| Tú | te |
| Él/Ella/Usted | se |
| Nosotros | nos |
| Vosotros | os |
| Ellos/Ellas/Ustedes | se |
Common Reflexive Verbs
- Levantarse → to get up
Me levanto a las 7 todos los días.
- Ducharse → to take a shower
¿A qué hora te duchas?
- Llamarse → to be called
Me llamo Laura.
- Acostarse → to go to bed
Me acuesto temprano.
- Sentirse → to feel
Me siento cansado.
- Enfadarse → to get angry
Se enfada fácilmente.
Placement Rules
- Before the conjugated verb (most common):
Me levanto temprano.
- Attached to the infinitive:
Voy a levantarme temprano.
- With gerund:
Estoy levantándome ahora.
Non-Reflexive vs Reflexive
- Lavo el perro. (I wash the dog)
- Me lavo. (I wash myself)
- Despierto a mi hijo. (I wake up my son)
- Me despierto. (I wake up)
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