Reflexives

The Present Tense of Reflexive Verbs

Introduction to Reflexive Verbs  The term reflexive verb describes a large class of verbs in Spanish whose subject acts on itself – does the action to itself. For example:  Tina combs her mother’s hair.  Tina combs her (own) hair.  In sentence one (i), Tina is the subject; the verb is combs; and the object is her mom’s hair. In sentence two (ii), the subject is Tina; the verb is combs and the object is her own hair. Sentence two (ii) would require the use of a reflexive verb as Tina does the action to herself.

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

Reflexive Pronouns The reflexive pronouns are:  Me myself  Te yourself(informal)  Se himself, herself, yourself (formal)  nos ourselves  os yourselves(informal in Spain)  se themselves, yourselves (formal)

Reflexive Verbs The reflexive object pronoun precedes the conjugated verb.  Before the conjugated verb: (1) Me acuesto a las diez y media cada noche. I go to bed at 10:30 each night. (2) Mi familia y yo nos desayunamos a las siete cada mañana My family and I have breakfast at 7:00 every morning. • In the two examples above, the reflexive pronouns (me and nos) go before the • conjugated verbs.

Reflexive Verbs The reflexive verb is however attached to the infinitive and to the present participle of verbs. Examples:  With the infinitive: (1) Yo voy a cepillarme los dientes. I am going to brush my teeth. (2) Tú vas a cepillarte los dientes. You are going to brush your teeth. *In the two examples above, the reflexive pronouns ‘me’ and ‘te’ are attached to the infinitive.

Reflexive Verbs  With the present participle: (1) Yo estoy cepillándome los dientes. I am brushing my teeth. (2) Carlos está cepillándose. Carlos is brushing his teeth. * The reflexive pronouns ‘me’ and ‘se’ are attached to the present participles.

Reflexive Verbs Lavarse las manos – to wash one’s hands Yo me lavo las manos. Nosotros nos lavan las manos Tú te lavas las manos Vosotros os laváis las manos Él Ella se lava las manos Ellos Ud. Ellas se lavan las manos Uds.

List of Reflexive Verbs 1. ponerse + article of clothing – to put on 2. bañarse – to bathe 3. ducharse – to (take a) shower 4. cepillarse los dientes – to brush one’s teeth 5. afeitarse – to shave 6. peinarse – to comb one’s hair 7. levantarse – to get up 8. despertarse (e-i) – to wake up

List of Reflexive Verbs 1. acostarse (o-ue) – to go to bed 2. dormirse (o-ue) to fall asleep 3. vestirse (e-i) – to get dressed 4. cortarse el pelo – to cut one’s hair 5. desayunarse – to have breakfast 6. almorzarse – to have lunch 7. enojarse – to get upset 8. burlarse de – to laugh at 9. quejarse – to complain

Reflexives

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