LOS VERBOS REFLEXIVOS
Reflexive verbs are those verbs that reflect the action onto the person
initiating the action. In other words, when the subject and the object of the
verb are the same:
Subject and Object of the verb are the same = REFLEXIVE VERB
I WASH MYSELF. Yo me lavo.
subject: I
verb: wash
object: myself
Subject and the Object of the verb are NOT THE SAME = NO reflexive verb
I WASH THE CAR. Yo lavo el coche.
subject: I
verb: wash
object: car
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The INFINITIVE of reflexive verbs always has "se" attached to the root
(the “rear end”)of the verb:
LAVARSE (reflexive)----to wash oneself
LAVAR (non-reflexive)---to wash (something)
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A common reflexive verb from Spanish 1 is
LLAMARSE - to call oneself
¿Cómo se llama usted?
What do you call yourself? (“What is your name?”)
Me llamo Juan.
I call myself Juan.
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PRESENT TENSE: regular verb, non-reflexive
lavar—
yo lavo
tú lavas
él lava
ella lava
usted lava
nosotros lavamos
vosotros laváis
ellos lavan
ellas lavan
ustedes lavan
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PRESENT TENSE: regular verb, reflexive
"Reflexive pronouns" are used with reflexive verbs.
RP’s are positioned before the verb as the verb
is being conjugated:
LAVARSE:
yo me lavo ………………….I wash (myself)
tú te lavas……………………you wash (yourself) (informal)
él se lava……………………he washes (himself)
ella se lava…………………she washes (herself)
usted se lava………………you wash (yourself) (formal)
nosotros nos lavamos……………….we wash (ourselves)
nosotras nos lavamos……………….we wash (ourselves) (feminine)
vosotros os laváis……………………you-all wash (yourselves) (informal)
vosotras os laváis…………………..you-all wash (yourselves) (informal, feminine)
ustedes se lavan………………..you-all wash (yourselves)(formal)
ellos se lavan…………………they wash (themselves)
ellas se lavan…………………they wash (themselves) (feminine)
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NOTE: Non-reflexive verbs can be made reflexive. When the action of the verb
reflexives on the person doing the action, that verb may become a reflexive
verb at that moment.
EXAMPLE:
wash the dog (non-reflexive)
wash your face (by yourself) (reflexive)
raise the book (non-reflexive)
raise your arm (by yourself) (reflexive)
put the baby to bed (non-reflexive)
go to bed (by yourself) (reflexive)
wake up your son (non-reflexive)
wake up yourself (by yourself) (reflexive)
