Using reflexive verbs to describe daily routines

In Spanish, many daily activities are described using reflexive verbs – verbs that show an action being done to oneself. When you describe your morning routine, getting ready for work, or evening activities, you’ll frequently use these reflexive constructions.

What Makes a Verb Reflexive?

A reflexive verb has “se” attached to its infinitive form (levantarse, ducharse, vestirse). When conjugated, this “se” changes to match the subject:

Spanish Reflexive Pronouns Chart

Subject PronounReflexive PronounExample with “lavarse” (to wash oneself)Example with “despertarse” (to wake up)
yo (I)meme lavome despierto
tú (you – informal)tete lavaste despiertas
él (he)sese lavase despierta
ella (she)sese lavase despierta
usted (you – formal)sese lavase despierta
nosotros/as (we)nosnos lavamosnos despertamos
vosotros/as (you all – Spain)osos laváisos despertáis
ellos/ellas (they)sese lavanse despiertan
ustedes (you all – Latin America)sese lavanse despiertan

Additional Examples:

Using “vestirse” (to get dressed):

  • Yo me visto rápidamente (I get dressed quickly)
  • ¿Te vistes para la fiesta? (Are you getting dressed for the party?)
  • Ella se viste elegante (She dresses elegantly)

Using “acostarse” (to go to bed):

  • Nosotros nos acostamos temprano (We go to bed early)
  • Vosotros os acostáis tarde (You all go to bed late)
  • Ellos se acuestan a las diez (They go to bed at ten)

Key Points:

  • The reflexive pronoun always goes before the conjugated verb
  • In negative sentences: No + reflexive pronoun + verb (No me visto)
  • With infinitives, the pronoun can be attached to the end (Quiero vestirme)
  • The pronoun must match the subject of the sentence

Common Daily Routine Verbs

Here are the most frequently used reflexive verbs for describing routines:

  • Morning Activities
    • despertarse (to wake up)
    • levantarse (to get up)
    • lavarse (to wash oneself)
    • ducharse/bañarse (to shower/bathe)
    • cepillarse los dientes (to brush one’s teeth)
    • peinarse (to comb one’s hair)
    • maquillarse (to put on makeup)
    • afeitarse (to shave)
    • vestirse (to get dressed)
  • Evening Activities
    • desvestirse (to undress)
    • desmaquillarse (to remove makeup)
    • acostarse (to go to bed)
    • dormirse (to fall asleep)

Using Time Expressions

When describing routines, you’ll often need to specify when things happen:

  • a las [hour] – at [time]
  • por la mañana – in the morning
  • por la tarde – in the afternoon
  • por la noche – at night
  • temprano – early
  • tarde – late
  • después de – after
  • antes de – before

Example Routines

  • A Typical Morning
    • “Me despierto a las siete de la mañana. Me levanto inmediatamente y me ducho. Después de ducharme, me visto y me peino. Me cepillo los dientes antes de desayunar.”
      • (I wake up at seven in the morning. I get up immediately and shower. After showering, I get dressed and comb my hair. I brush my teeth before breakfast.)
  • An Evening Routine
    • “Por la noche, me desmaquillo y me lavo la cara. Me cepillo los dientes y me pongo el pijama. Me acuesto a las once y normalmente me duermo enseguida.”
      • (At night, I remove my makeup and wash my face. I brush my teeth and put on my pajamas. I go to bed at eleven and usually fall asleep right away.)

Question Formations

To ask about someone’s routine:

  • ¿A qué hora te despiertas? (What time do you wake up?)
  • ¿Cuándo te duchas? (When do you shower?)
  • ¿Te acuestas tarde los fines de semana? (Do you go to bed late on weekends?)

Cultural Note

Spanish speakers often use reflexive constructions more frequently than English speakers. While in English you might say “I shower,” in Spanish it’s always “me ducho” (I shower myself). This reflects a broader pattern in Spanish of emphasizing the connection between the doer and the action.

Remember that reflexive verbs are essential for describing daily routines in Spanish. They help you express personal care activities and daily habits in a natural, native-like way.

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