Reflexive verbs
A reflexive verb uses a pronoun that points back at the subject. It often shows someone acting on themselves, but it can also change a verb's meaning.
Take the quizThe pronouns
Me, te, se, nos, and se for ellos and ustedes
- Me levanto temprano.I get up early.
- Te levantas tarde.You get up late.
- Se levanta a las seis.She gets up at six.
- Nos levantamos juntos.We get up together.
- Se levantan temprano.They get up early.
Where the pronoun goes
Before a conjugated verb
- Me ducho por la mañana.I shower in the morning.
- No te preocupes.Don't worry.
Before the whole verb in perfect tenses
- Me he levantado tarde.I've gotten up late.
Attached to an infinitive or gerund, or before the verb in front of it
- Voy a ducharme.I'm going to shower.
- Me voy a duchar.I'm going to shower.
- Estoy duchándome.I'm showering.
Attaching it to a gerund often needs a written accent.
Attached to an affirmative command
- Siéntate.Sit down.
- No te sientes.Don't sit down.
What reflexive verbs do
Daily routine
- Me baño y me visto.I bathe and get dressed.
Each other, with plural subjects
- Nos abrazamos en el aeropuerto.We hugged each other at the airport.
Becoming or changing state
- Me enojé.I got angry.
- Se puso triste.She got sad.
- Mi hermana se casó.My sister got married.
Body parts and clothing take the, not my
- Me lavo las manos.I wash my hands.
- Ponte el sombrero.Put on your hat.
Verbs that change meaning
Ir to go, irse to leave
- Voy al mercado.I'm going to the market.
- Me voy.I'm leaving.
Dormir to sleep, dormirse to fall asleep
- Duermo ocho horas.I sleep eight hours.
- Me dormí en el cine.I fell asleep at the movies.
Poner to put, ponerse to put on or become
- Pongo la mesa.I set the table.
- Me pongo los zapatos.I put on my shoes.
Llamar to call, llamarse to be named
- Llamo a mi mamá.I call my mom.
- Me llamo Ana.My name is Ana.
Acordar to agree, acordarse to remember
- Acordamos el precio.We agreed on the price.
- No me acuerdo.I don't remember.
Parecer to seem, parecerse a to look like
- Parece fácil.It seems easy.
- Me parezco a mi padre.I look like my father.
Other uses of se
Impersonal: people in general, or no specific person
- Aquí se habla español.Spanish is spoken here.
- Se venden mangos.Mangoes for sale.
Accidents: the thing happens to you
- Se me olvidó.I forgot.
- Se me cayó el vaso.I dropped the glass.
- Se nos fue la luz.Our power went out.
This takes the blame off the person, and it's very common in everyday speech.