Reflexive Verbs Certain verbs in Spanish require one
Reflexive Verbs
Certain verbs in Spanish require one extra step when they are used. These verbs are called reflexive verbs. Reflexive verbs refer to actions that people do to themselves. This construction does not really exist in English.
The following examples demonstrate the idea behind reflexive verbs. • I got myself up at six-thirty. • She got herself dressed. Many reflexive verbs have to do with personal hygiene and daily routines things that you do to yourself.
bañarse
ducharse
vestirse (e i)
mirarse
afeitarse
lavarse las manos
cepillarse los dientes
acostarse (o ue)
dormirse (o ue)
despertarse (e ie)
levantarse
Hint Because so many reflexive verbs are also stemchanging verbs, you may want to review the stem-changer Power. Point before continuing.
How to use reflexive verbs • Reflexive verbs follow the normal rules for conjugation; that is, the –ar, –er, or –ir is removed, and the appropriate ending is added. • In addition, the –se is removed, and the appropriate reflexive pronoun is placed before the verb.
Reflexive Pronouns me nos te X se se Notice that these are similar to, but not the same as, direct and indirect object pronouns.
3 Easy Steps to Carefree Use of Reflexive Verbs Step 1: Move the –se to in front of the verb. Step 2: Conjugate the verb. Step 3: Replace “se” with the appropriate reflexive pronoun. - The reflexive pronoun always agrees with the subject.
Start your risk-free trial of our three-step program to use reflexive verbs! Step 1: Move the –se to in front of the verb. Yo _____. (bañarse )
Step 1: Move the –se to in front of the verb. Step 2: Conjugate the verb. Yo _____. ( ) se bañar o
Step 1: Move the –se to in front of the verb. Step 2: Conjugate the verb. Step 3: Replace “se” with the appropriate reflexive pronoun. Yo _____. me se baño
Now you try! te levantas a las Tú _____ seis. (levantarse) Notice that the reflexive pronoun and the verb agree with the subject.
Rodrigo ______ de noche. se baña (bañarse)
Elena y María ______ las se lavan manos. (lavarse)
- Slides: 24