The Present Tense The Present Tense of of

Reflexive VerbsReflexive Verbs

Introduction to Reflexive VerbsIntroduction to Reflexive Verbs The term reflexive verb describes a large class of The term reflexive verb describes a large class of

verbs in Spanish whose subject acts on itself – does verbs in Spanish whose subject acts on itself – does the action to itself. For example:the action to itself. For example:

Tina combs her mother’s hair. Tina combs her mother’s hair. Tina combs her (own) hair.Tina combs her (own) hair. In sentence one (i), In sentence one (i), TinaTina is the subject; the verb is is the subject; the verb is

combscombs; and the object is ; and the object is her mom’s hairher mom’s hair. In . In sentence two (ii), the subject is sentence two (ii), the subject is TinaTina; the verb is ; the verb is combscombs and the object is and the object is her own hairher own hair. Sentence two . Sentence two (ii) would require the use of a reflexive verb as (ii) would require the use of a reflexive verb as Tina does the action to herself.Tina does the action to herself.

Reflexive Verbs Reflexive Verbs

Reflexive verbs show what a person does Reflexive verbs show what a person does to him/herself. These verbs are easily to him/herself. These verbs are easily identified as they have identified as they have se se at the end. at the end. Reflexive verbs also use reflexive Reflexive verbs also use reflexive pronouns which refer to the same person pronouns which refer to the same person or thing as the subject. or thing as the subject.

Reflexive Pronouns Reflexive Pronouns The reflexive pronouns are:The reflexive pronouns are: Me Me myselfmyself

Te Te yourself(informal)yourself(informal)

Se Se himself, herself, yourself (formal)himself, herself, yourself (formal)

nos nos ourselvesourselves osos yourselves(informal in Spain)yourselves(informal in Spain)

sese themselves, yourselves (formal)themselves, yourselves (formal)

Reflexive VerbsReflexive VerbsThe reflexive object pronoun precedes the conjugated verb. The reflexive object pronoun precedes the conjugated verb.

Before the conjugated verb:Before the conjugated verb:

(1) Me acuesto a las diez y media cada noche.(1) Me acuesto a las diez y media cada noche.I go to bed at 10:30 each night.I go to bed at 10:30 each night.

(2) Mi familia y yo nos desayunamos a las siete cada ma(2) Mi familia y yo nos desayunamos a las siete cada maññanaanaMy family and I have breakfast at 7:00 every morning. My family and I have breakfast at 7:00 every morning.

• In the two examples above, the reflexive pronouns (me and nos) go before theIn the two examples above, the reflexive pronouns (me and nos) go before the• conjugated verbs.conjugated verbs.

Reflexive Verbs Reflexive Verbs The reflexive verb is however attached to the infinitive The reflexive verb is however attached to the infinitive

and to the present participle of verbs. Examples:and to the present participle of verbs. Examples:

With the infinitive: With the infinitive: (1) Yo voy a cepillarme los dientes.(1) Yo voy a cepillarme los dientes.

I am going to brush my teeth.I am going to brush my teeth.

(2) T(2) Tú ú vas a cepillarte los dientes.vas a cepillarte los dientes.You are going to brush your teeth.You are going to brush your teeth.

*In the two examples above, the reflexive pronouns ‘me’ *In the two examples above, the reflexive pronouns ‘me’ and ‘te’ are attached to the infinitive.and ‘te’ are attached to the infinitive.

Reflexive VerbsReflexive Verbs

With the present participle:With the present participle: (1)(1) Yo estoy cepillándome los dientes.Yo estoy cepillándome los dientes.

I am brushing my teeth.I am brushing my teeth.

(2) Carlos está cepillándose. (2) Carlos está cepillándose. Carlos is brushing his teeth.Carlos is brushing his teeth.

* The reflexive pronouns ‘me’ and ‘se’ are attached to * The reflexive pronouns ‘me’ and ‘se’ are attached to the present participles.the present participles.

Reflexive VerbsReflexive VerbsLavarse las manosLavarse las manos – to wash one’s hands – to wash one’s hands

Yo me lavo las manos.Yo me lavo las manos. Nosotros nos lavNosotros nos lavan las manosan las manos

Tú te lavas las manosTú te lavas las manos Vosotros os lavVosotros os laváis las manosáis las manos

Él Él Ella Ella se lava las manosse lava las manos Ellos Ellos Ud.Ud. Ellas se lavan las manos Ellas se lavan las manos

Uds.Uds.

List of Reflexive VerbsList of Reflexive Verbs

1.1. ponerse + article of clothing – to put onponerse + article of clothing – to put on2.2. bañarse – to bathebañarse – to bathe3.3. ducharse – to (take a) showerducharse – to (take a) shower4.4. cepillarse los dientes – to brush one’s teethcepillarse los dientes – to brush one’s teeth5.5. afeitarse – to shaveafeitarse – to shave6.6. peinarse – to comb one’s hairpeinarse – to comb one’s hair7.7. levantarse – to get uplevantarse – to get up8.8. despertarse (e-i) – to wake updespertarse (e-i) – to wake up

List of Reflexive VerbsList of Reflexive Verbs

1.1. acostarse (o-ue) – to go to bedacostarse (o-ue) – to go to bed2.2. dormirse (o-ue) to fall asleepdormirse (o-ue) to fall asleep3.3. vestirse (e-i) – to get dressedvestirse (e-i) – to get dressed4.4. cortarse el pelo – to cut one’s haircortarse el pelo – to cut one’s hair5.5. desayunarse – to have breakfastdesayunarse – to have breakfast6.6. almorzarse – to have lunchalmorzarse – to have lunch7.7. enojarse – to get upsetenojarse – to get upset8.8. burlarse de – to laugh at burlarse de – to laugh at 9.9. quejarse – to complainquejarse – to complain