Transcript Reflexive Verbs

Reflexive Verbs
Reflexive verbs are used when
the Subject and the Direct Object
are the same person. (The
subject is doing something onto
itself). We express this in English
by saying “self”.
Here are some examples in English:
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We get (ourselves) up at dawn.
Dad shaves (himself) every day.
Where should I sit (myself) down?
She has to wash her (own) hair now.
They are dressing (themselves).
The child goes to bed at 8:00.
Do you want to try that dress on
(yourself)?
Some verbs can be used as reflexive
or nonreflexive:
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I wash my hands. (reflexive)
I wash the dog. (nonreflexive - here the
subject is “I” and the D.O. is “dog”)
She is dressing herself. (reflexive)
She is dressing her son. (nonreflexive here the subject is “she” and the D.O. is
“son”)
With an amigo (or by yourself), decide if the
following sentences are reflexive or not:
They sit next to me.
I woke her up late today.
They have to go to bed early.
Wash the dog!
Dress your brother!
He brushes his teeth three times a day.
How did you do?
They sat down next to me. REFLEXIVE
I woke her up late today. NONREFLEXIVE
They had to go to bed early. REFLEXIVE
Wash the dog! NONREFLEXIVE
Dress your brother! NONREFLEXIVE
He brushes his teeth three times a day.
REFLEXIVE
Reflexive verbs include:
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acostarse (o>ue)
afeitarse
arreglarse
bañarse
cepillarse
despertarse (e>ie)
divertirse (e>ie)
dormirse (o>ue)
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to go to bed
to shave
to get ready
to bathe
to comb
to wake up
to have fun
to (fall) asleep
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irse
lavarse
levantarse
peinarse
ponerse
quitarse
sentarse (e>ie)
vestirse (e>I)
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to go
to wash
to get up
to comb one’s hair
to put on
to take off
to sit
to get dressed
Reflexive verbs require the use of a
reflexive pronoun:
Me
 Te
 Se
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Nos
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Se
Note how “se” can be used for both singular
and plural. The use of a subject pronoun in
the sentence is recommended to clarify.
Object Pronoun Placement Rules:
1. Placed before a conjugated verb
2. Attached to an infinitive
3. Attached to the present participle. In
this case, you also have to add the accent
over the “a” in -ando or the “e” in -iendo
4. Attached to an affirmative command or
placed in front of a negative command
Practice! Translate the following
sentences into Spanish:
Elena is dressing (note the -ING).
Yolanda and Carlos wake up at 6:00.
I used to sleep late ever day.
Marcos and Paula had fun.
Sit down, please. (use a command)
Pablo tripped and twisted his knee.
Check:
Elena está vistiéndose.
OR: Elena se está vistiendo.
Yolanda y Carlos se despiertan a las seis.
Me dormía tarde.
Marcos y Paula se divirtieron.
Siéntate, por favor.
Pablo tropezó y se torció la rodilla.