Reflexive Verbs and Reflexive Pronouns in Spanish: The Ultimate Guide

Have you ever come across sentences like “Yo me visto” or “Ella se baña” and wondered what they mean? 

Does it seem confusing to say “I dress myself” or “She showers herself” in English? 

Well, fear not! Reflexive verbs can be a bit tricky for Spanish learners, but with the right guidance, you’ll master them in no time. In this ultimate guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about reflexive verbs and reflexive pronouns in Spanish, helping you improve your language skills significantly.

What are Reflexive Pronouns?

Before we delve into reflexive verbs, it’s essential to understand reflexive pronouns in Spanish.

Reflexive pronouns are inseparable from reflexive verbs and agree with the subject pronoun (yo, él, ella, etc.). In simple terms, reflexive pronouns are used to emphasize that an action is being performed on oneself.

Here are the Spanish reflexive pronouns:

Subject Pronouns	Reflexive Pronouns Spanish	Reflexive Pronouns English
Yo	Me	Myself
Tú	Te	Yourself
Él/Ella/Usted	Se	Himself/Herself/Yourself
Ustedes/Ellos/Ellas	Se	Yourselves/Themselves
Nosotros/Nosotras	Nos	Ourselves

Now let’s explore how to use these reflexive pronouns.

How to Use Reflexive Pronouns

In Spanish, reflexive pronouns are typically placed before the reflexive verbs, which are then conjugated according to the tense (simple present tense, preterite tense, etc.). 

However, there are instances where the reflexive pronoun is placed at the end of the reflexive verb, which we’ll cover later. 

For now, let’s keep it simple by placing the reflexive pronoun before the verb.

Let’s consider the reflexive verb “llamarse” (to be called) as an example:

• “What do you call yourself?” – “¿Cómo te llamas?”
• “I call myself Maria.” – “Yo me llamo Maria.”

Surprised? We understand that reflexive verbs can be quite bewildering. But don’t worry, we’re here to make it easier for you!

Now, let’s look at some examples with the reflexive verb “sentirse” (to feel) conjugated in the simple present tense:

English	Spanish
I feel happy.	Yo me siento feliz.
You feel happy.	Tú te sientes feliz.
He feels happy.	Él se siente feliz.
You feel happy. (plural)	Ustedes se sienten felices.
We feel happy.	Nosotros nos sentimos felices.

Important Points to Remember

1. Reflexive pronouns are not optional, and they are only used with reflexive verbs.
2. Reflexive pronouns are not an abbreviation of the subject pronouns. “Nos” and “Nosotros” are entirely different, and “nos” is not an abbreviation.
3. Reflexive pronouns must match the subject in all tenses. For example, with the verb “bañarse” (to bathe):

•    Near future (to go): “Yo me voy a bañar” (I am going to bathe)
•    Simple present tense (indicative): “Yo me baño” (I bathe)

   Past participle tense (preterite): “Ella se bañó” (She bathed)

The Position of Reflexive Pronouns

The placement of reflexive pronouns sometimes changes depending on the verb form, such as when the verb is in the infinitive or command form. Let’s examine these cases:

1. Reflexive Pronouns with Infinitive Verbs:
   • When the reflexive verb is in the infinitive form (not conjugated), the reflexive pronoun can either be placed before the verb or attached to the end of the verb.
   • For example: “Quiero bañarme” or “Quiero me bañar” (I want to bathe myself)
2. Reflexive Pronouns with Affirmative Commands:
   • In affirmative commands (used to give orders or instructions), the reflexive pronoun is attached to the end of the verb.
   • For example: “¡Lávate las manos!” (Wash your hands!)
3. Reflexive Pronouns with Negative Commands:
   • In negative commands, the reflexive pronoun is placed before the verb.
   • For example: “No te duermas” (Don’t fall asleep)

Common Reflexive Verbs and Their Meanings

Reflexive verbs are prevalent in Spanish and cover a wide range of actions and daily routines. Here are some common reflexive verbs and their English translations:

Spanish	English
Levantarse	To get up
Vestirse	To get dressed
Peinarse	To comb one’s hair
Afeitarse	To shave
Maquillarse	To put on makeup
Lavarse	To wash oneself
Acostarse	To go to bed
Despertarse	To wake up
Sentarse	To sit down
Cepillarse los dientes	To brush one’s teeth

It’s important to note that these verbs can also be used in non-reflexive forms, depending on the context. For example:

• “She dresses the baby” – “Ella viste al bebé” (non-reflexive)
• “She gets dressed” – “Ella se viste” (reflexive)

Congratulations! You’ve taken a significant step toward mastering reflexive verbs in Spanish. Keep practicing, exploring new examples, and expanding your vocabulary. ¡Buena suerte! (Good luck!)