Use with reflexive verbs

Reflexive commands in Spanish allow you to give instructions for actions that someone performs on themselves. Understanding these commands is crucial for expressing everyday activities and giving directions effectively.

Basic Formation

When giving commands with reflexive verbs, you’ll handle the reflexive pronoun differently depending on whether the command is affirmative or negative:

Affirmative Commands

In affirmative commands, attach the reflexive pronoun to the end of the verb:

  • Levantarse → ¡Levántate! (Get up!)
  • Sentarse → ¡Siéntate! (Sit down!)
  • Dormirse → ¡Duérmete! (Go to sleep!)

Note that when you attach the pronoun, an accent mark is often needed to maintain the correct stress.

Negative Commands

For negative commands, place the reflexive pronoun before the verb:

  • No te levantes (Don’t get up)
  • No te sientes (Don’t sit down)
  • No te duermas (Don’t fall asleep)

Reflexive Pronouns

Personal PronounReflexive Pronoun
You (tú)te
You (usted)se
We (nosotros/as)nos
You all (vosotros/as)os (Spain), se (Latin America)
You all (ustedes)se
They (ellos/ellas)se

Examples:

  • Tú: Péinate (Comb your hair)
  • Usted: Péinese (Comb your hair)
  • Vosotros: Peinaos (Comb your hair – Spain)
  • Ustedes/Vosotros (Latin America): Péinense (Comb your hair)

Common Scenarios and Examples

Personal Care

  • ¡Báñate! (Take a bath!)
  • ¡Cepíllate los dientes! (Brush your teeth!)
  • No te maquilles (Don’t put on makeup)
  • ¡Vístete rápido! (Get dressed quickly!)

Daily Activities

  • ¡Acuéstate temprano! (Go to bed early!)
  • No te preocupes (Don’t worry)
  • ¡Apúrate! (Hurry up!)
  • No te detengas (Don’t stop)

Social Situations

  • ¡Siéntate con nosotros! (Sit with us!)
  • No te vayas todavía (Don’t leave yet)
  • ¡Tranquilízate! (Calm down!)
  • No te enojes (Don’t get angry)

Special Cases

Commands with Multiple Parts

When combining reflexive verbs with other elements:

  • ¡Vete a dormir! (Go to sleep!)
  • ¡Pónte a trabajar! (Get to work!)
  • No te pongas a llorar (Don’t start crying)

Common Expressions

Some reflexive commands are so common they’ve become fixed expressions:

  • ¡Cuídate! (Take care!)
  • ¡Fíjate! (Pay attention!)
  • ¡Cállate! (Be quiet!)
  • No te creas (Don’t believe it)

Grammar Notes

  1. Accent marks: Crucial in affirmative commands when adding pronouns:
    • Levantar → Levanta → ¡Levántate!
    • Sentar → Sienta → ¡Siéntate!
  2. Vosotros form: Drop the final ‘d’ before adding ‘os’:
    • Sentaros → Sentaos
    • Levantaros → Levantaos
  3. Double pronouns: Maintain their normal order:
    • ¡Póntelo! (Put it on!)
    • No te lo pongas (Don’t put it on)

Remember that reflexive commands are essential for expressing personal care instructions, giving advice, and managing social situations in Spanish. They’re particularly common in everyday speech and informal writing.

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