Reflexive Verbs Reflexive Verbs

Reflexive Verbs are verbs where the person doing the action of the verb also receives the action of the verb.

For example: I wash the dog. This sentence is not reflexive because the person doing the action (I) is not receiving the action of the verb. The dog receives the action of the verb.

For example: I wash myself. This sentence is reflexive since the person doing the action (I) is also receiving the action of the verb.

Reflexives in the present tense: In the present tense, the verb is conjugated

and the reflexive pronoun is placed in front of the conjugated verb. Remember: to be reflexive, the person doing the action also must receive the action.

Example: Lavar – lavo, lavas, lava, lavamos, lavan. I wash the dog. Yo lavo el perro. (Not reflexive)

Example: Lavarse – me lavo, te lavas, se lava, nos lavamos, se lavan. I wash my hair. Me lavo el pelo. (Reflexive)

* When using a reflexive verb, you will not use a possessive adjective too. my hair – el pelo

Secarse– To dry oneself

Me secoI dry myself

Nos secamosWe dry ourselves

Te secas

You (fam.) dry yourself

Os secáis

You all (fam.) dry yourselves

Se seca

He dries himselfShe dries herselfYou (for.) dry yourself

Se secan

They dry themselvesYou all(for.) dry yourselves

Reflexive Practice

I cut my hair. You go to bed. They fall asleep. We say goodbye. He sits down. You all (for.)

bathe yourselves.

You (for.) keep quiet.

I leave.

Me corto el pelo. Te acuestas. Ellos se

duermen. Nos despedimos. Él se sienta. Uds. se bañan.

Ud. se calla. Me voy (Me

marcho).

Reflexives with the infinitive: When a reflexive is used as an infinitive, you

must change the ending to reflect the person doing the action. Also, you should keep the pronoun attached to the end of the infinitive.

Example: Cepillarse – Yo voy a cepillarme el pelo. – I’m going to brush my hair.

Example: Dormirse – Tú debes dormirte ahora. – You should fall asleep now.

Example: Irse – Tenemos que irnos. We have to leave.

Example: Peinarse – El niño puede peinarse. The child can comb himself.

Reflexive verbs with Tú Commands

Using reflexives with commands is similar to using commands with object pronouns. The placement of the pronoun is the same.

With an affirmative command, you attach the pronoun to the end of the command and add an accent when necessary.

For example: Eat it (the sandwhich). Cómelo. Wash yourself. Lávate.

With a negative command, the pronoun goes between the no and the command.

For example: Don’t eat it. No lo comas. Don’t wash yourself. No te laves.

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