Verbos reflexivos

For reflexive verbs, 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. Other uses of

reflexive verbs are:

● Personal hygiene
● Personal grooming
● Daily routine

Los pronombres reflexivos

● ME = myself
● TE = yourself
● SE = yourself (UD)
● SE = himself/herself

● NOS = ourselves
● OS = yourselves
● SE = yourselves (Uds)
● SE = themselves

You already know four of these –
they’re the same as the indirect
object pronouns you used with
“gustar”-- Instead of “le/les” in

3rd person, use “Se”

¿Qué es un verbo reflexivo?

● It ends in –se: lavarse;

mirarse; cortarse

● “se” refers to “self”
● So, if “lavar” means “to

wash,” what does “lavarse”
mean?
Could it mean “to
wash one’s self”?

-SE “changes” to match the different

subjects!

os

nos

se

te

me

se

myself

yourself

yourself,
himself,
herself,

yourselves,
themselves

ourselves

yourselves
(vosotros)

¿Cómo funcionan estos verbos reflexivos?

● Reflexive pronouns match

the endings on the verbs!

● Me seco (I / myself)
● Te secas (you/yourself)
● Se seca (he/himself)
● Nos secamos (we/ourselves)
● Os secáis (y’all / yourselves
● Se secan (they/themselves)

Secarse = to dry off/

to dry one’s (hair)

¡Yo me seco

el pelo!

Afeitarse:

He shaves.

se

afeita.

Él

“Se” matches “-a” ending on verb.
That’s reflexive!

Present tense of MIRARSE

miran

se

mira

se

miráis

os

miras

te

miramos

nos

miro

me

Me miro. Soy
guapa, ¿no?

First, remove se (it will
“transform into your
reflexive pronouns that go
in front of the verb) – Then
remove the infinitive
ending “-ar”…Then add
personal endings!

¿Entienden?

● We take a bath.
● Bañarse
● Remove
● Remove
● “Se” goes in front of

verb and matches
subject

● Verb ending should

match your subject
and your reflexive
pronoun!

● (Nosotros-optional)
Nos bañamos

se
-ar

¡Paren y Piensen!

● I dry (myself) off. (secarse)

Me

seco.

“Me” matches “yo” “-o” ending on verb. That’s reflexive!

• ​Es importante secarse con la toalla después de nadar.

• It is important to dry off with a towel after swimming.

When the reflexive is preceded by a helping (auxiliary) verb, the reflexive verb remains in the infinitive. Take a look at the examples below.

• ​Cristina debe despertarse temprano.

• Cristina should wake up early.

¡A Ver!

● (Yo) me despierto.
● (Yo) me duermo.
● (Tú) te levantas
● (Tú) te duchas
● Ellase seca.
● (Nosotros) nos afeitamos
● (Vosotros) os maquilláis
● Ellos se visten.

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

¡A Uds. les toca! (Your turn!)

● I wake up. (despertarse, e-ie)
● I fall asleep. (dormirse, o-ue)
● You (tú) get up. (levantarse)
● You shower. (ducharse)
● She dries off. (secarse)
● We shave. (afeitarse)
● Y’all (Spain) put on makeup. (maquillarse)
● They dress (get dressed). (vestirse, e-i)