Introduction
Reflexive verbs indicate that the subject performs and receives the action. In English, we say "I wash myself" — the "myself" part is often implied. In Spanish, reflexive verbs are marked with the pronoun -se attached to the infinitive (lavarse) and are far more common than in English.
Reflexive Pronouns
| Person | Pronoun | Example |
|---|---|---|
| yo | me | me lavo |
| tú | te | te lavas |
| él/ella/usted | se | se lava |
| nosotros | nos | nos lavamos |
| ellos/ustedes | se | se lavan |
The pronoun goes before the conjugated verb:
- Me despierto a las siete. — I wake up at seven.
- Ella se ducha por la mañana. — She showers in the morning.
Common Reflexive Verbs
Morning Routine
| Infinitive | Meaning |
|---|---|
| despertarse | to wake up |
| levantarse | to get up |
| ducharse | to shower |
| bañarse | to bathe |
| lavarse | to wash (oneself) |
| cepillarse (los dientes) | to brush (one's teeth) |
| peinarse | to comb one's hair |
| vestirse | to get dressed |
| maquillarse | to put on makeup |
| afeitarse | to shave |
Evening / General
| Infinitive | Meaning |
|---|---|
| acostarse | to go to bed |
| dormirse | to fall asleep |
| quitarse | to take off (clothing) |
| sentarse | to sit down |
| irse | to leave / go away |
| quedarse | to stay |
| sentirse | to feel |
| llamarse | to be called (named) |
| divertirse | to have fun |
| preocuparse | to worry |
A Full Routine Example
Me despierto a las seis. Me levanto, me ducho y me visto. Me cepillo los dientes y desayuno. Después me voy al trabajo.
(I wake up at six. I get up, shower, and get dressed. I brush my teeth and eat breakfast. Then I leave for work.)
Note: With body parts and clothing, Spanish uses the definite article (not a possessive): Me lavo las manos (I wash my hands), not
me lavo mis manos.
Pronoun Placement
Before conjugated verb (default)
- Me levanto temprano. (I get up early.)
Attached to infinitive
- Voy a levantarme temprano. (I'm going to get up early.)
- Me voy a levantar temprano. (Also correct.)
Attached to gerund
- Estoy duchándome. (I'm showering.)
Attached to affirmative commands
- ¡Siéntate! (Sit down!)
- But: ¡No te sientes! (Don't sit down! — before verb in negatives)
Reflexive vs Non-Reflexive
Many verbs exist in both forms with different meanings:
| Reflexive | Non-Reflexive |
|---|---|
| irse (to leave) | ir (to go) |
| dormirse (to fall asleep) | dormir (to sleep) |
| llamarse (to be called) | llamar (to call someone) |
| ponerse (to put on / become) | poner (to put / place) |
- Duermo ocho horas. (I sleep eight hours.) → action of sleeping
- Me duermo en el sofá. (I fall asleep on the couch.) → transition into sleep
Practice
How do you say 'She wakes up at 7'?
'Me cepillo los dientes.' Why 'los' instead of 'mis'?
Where does the pronoun go in 'Estoy ___' (I'm getting dressed)?
What's the difference between 'dormir' and 'dormirse'?