Verbos reflejos / reflexivos
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Reflexive verbs are just one type of pronominal verb. Here, the reflexive pronoun indicates that the subject of the verb is performing the action on him/her/itself, rather than on someone or something else. The majority of reflexive verbs have to do with one’s body, clothing, relationships, or state of mind.
Por ejemplo…
| Se mira en el espejo. | She’s looking at herself in the mirror. | |
| Me duermo a medianoche. | I go to bed at midnight. | |
| Te vistes muy despacio. | You get dressed very slowly. |
Most common Spanish reflexive verbs
| aburrirse | to get bored | |
| acostarse | to go to bed | |
| afeitarse | to shave | |
| alegrarse | to be happy | |
| animarse | to cheer up | |
| arreglarse | to get ready | |
| asustarse | to get scared | |
| bañarse | to bathe | |
| calmarse | to calm down | |
| caerse | to fall (down) | |
| cansarse | to get tired | |
| cepillarse | to brush (hair, teeth) | |
| colocarse | to get a job | |
| cortarse | to cut (hair, nails) | |
| decidirse | to make up one’s mind | |
| despedirse | to say goodbye to | |
| despertarse | to wake up | |
| divertirse | to have a good time | |
| dormirse | to fall asleep | |
| ducharse | to take a shower | |
| enfermarse | to get sick | |
| enojarse | to get angry | |
| lastimarse | to hurt oneself | |
| lavarse | to wash (up) | |
| levantarse | to get up | |
| maquillarse | to put on makeup | |
| peinarse | to comb (hair) | |
| pintarse | to put on makeup | |
| ponerse | to put on (clothes) | |
| preocuparse | to worry | |
| probarse | to try on | |
| quebrarse | to break (arm, leg) | |
| quedarse | to stay, remain | |
| quemarse | to burn (oneself, one’s body) | |
| quitarse | to take off (clothes) | |
| romperse | to tear (clothes); to break (arm, leg) | |
| sentarse | to sit down | |
| sorprenderse | to be surprised | |
| vestirse | to get dressed |
Note that some of these verbs can also be reciprocal.
All of the above verbs require a reflexive pronoun when they indicate that the subject is doing something to itself. But they can also be used non-reflexively, indicating that the action of the verb is directed at someone or something else.
En comparación…
| Me despierto a las seis. | vs | La despierto a las seis. |
| I wake up at 6am. |
I wake her up at 6am. |
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| Se afeita la barbilla. | vs | Afeita la barbilla de su hijo. |
| He’s shaving his (own) chin. | He’s shaving his son’s chin. |
When talking about parts of the body, the reflexive pronoun and a definite article indicate the owner of that part of the body, rather than the possessive adjective that is used in English.
Por ejemplo…
| Me lavo la cara. | ||
| I’m washing my face. |
||
| Se peina el pelo. | ||
| He’s combing his hair. |
Reflexive Verbs Quiz
Think you’ve got it? Test yourself:
Related lessons
- Introduction to pronominal verbs
- Reflexive verbs
- Reciprocal verbs
- Idiomatic pronominal verbs
- Reflexive se with unplanned occurrences
- Reflexive pronouns
- Reflexive prepositional pronouns
Spanish lesson plans
- Reflexive verbs (Lesson, 6th-12th grade)
- Reflexive verbs (Worksheet, 9th-10th grade)
- Verbos reflexivos (PPT, 5th – higher ed)
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