{"id":176587239,"date":"2018-03-05T11:37:11","date_gmt":"2018-03-05T19:37:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.lingq.com\/blog-new\/?p=176587239"},"modified":"2025-05-19T11:28:43","modified_gmt":"2025-05-19T18:28:43","slug":"spanish-reflexive-verbs","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.lingq.com\/blog\/spanish-reflexive-verbs\/","title":{"rendered":"The Easiest Way to Learn Spanish Reflexive Verbs"},"content":{"rendered":"

Spanish reflexive verbs are verbs that we use when talking about actions that we do to or for ourselves. They are often common Spanish verbs<\/a> that are used in our daily routine, like getting dressed or taking a shower. \u00a0They are also used when talking about emotions, like getting upset or bored. <\/span>
\n\"The<\/p>\n

What Do Spanish Reflexive Verbs Look Like?<\/b><\/h2>\n

All reflexive verbs end in \u2013se, like \u201clavarse\u201d. To conjugate reflexive verbs, first we conjugate the \u2013se into a pronoun to fit who we are talking about. This pronoun goes before the verb. Then we just conjugate the verb like normal. Here is a list of the pronouns:<\/span><\/p>\n

Pronouns<\/b><\/h3>\n

Yo <\/span>me<\/b> (myself) <\/span> Nosotros <\/span>nos<\/b> (ourselves)<\/span>
\nT\u00fa <\/span>te <\/b>(yourself) <\/span> Vosotros<\/span> os<\/b> (yourselves) <\/span>
\n\u00c9l\/Ella <\/span>se<\/b> (himself\/herself) <\/span> Ellos\/Ellas\/Ustedes <\/span>se <\/b>(themselves\/yourselves) <\/span><\/p>\n

Once you have the pronouns down, you just need to add the verb. Let’s look at a few common Spanish reflexive verbs that are sure to come up in everyday conversation. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Common Reflexive Verbs<\/b><\/h3>\n

Ba\u00f1arse – to bathe oneself \u00a0<\/span> Lavarse – to wash oneself \u00a0<\/span>
\nLevantarse – to get oneself up <\/span> Acordarse – to remember <\/span>
\nQuedarse – to stay <\/span> Enojarse \u2013 to get angry <\/span>
\nVolverse – to return <\/span> Sentirse – to feel <\/span>
\nAburrirse \u2013 to get bored <\/span> Sentarse – to sit oneself down <\/span>
\nDespertarse \u2013 to wake oneself up <\/span> Vestirse – to get oneself dressed <\/span>
\nIrse \u2013 to leave <\/span> Quejarse \u2013 to complain \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Examples<\/b><\/h3>\n

Now that you have the basic formula, let’s look at a few example sentences. Remember, the formula is: <\/span><\/p>\n

Subject + pronoun + conjugated verb<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

Me<\/b> ba\u00f1o. – I bathe (myself). <\/span>
\n\u00bf<\/span>Te <\/b>acuerdas? – Do you remember? <\/span>
\nElla <\/span>se<\/b> enoj\u00f3 mucho conmigo. – She got really mad at me. <\/span>
\nNo<\/span> nos<\/b> quejamos nunca. – We never complain. \u00a0<\/span>
\nVosotros <\/span>os <\/b>levant\u00e1is temprano. – You guys get up early. \u00a0<\/span>
\nEllos<\/span> se<\/b> quedan en la casa. – They stay at home. \u00a0<\/span>
\nThe pronoun always goes directly before the verb, whether it is a negative sentence or a question.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Learn<\/a><\/p>\n

Difference Between Reflexive and Non-reflexive Verbs<\/b><\/h2>\n

I’m sure you noticed a lot of the verbs from the list and recognized them without the -se ending. Yes, many of these verbs don’t always have to be reflexive. But what is the difference? Let’s look at the verbs \u201cver\u201d and \u201cverse\u201d.<\/span><\/p>\n

“Veo la pared” means \u201cI look at the wall\u201d, while “me veo” means \u201cI look at myself\u201d. The same goes for \u201clavar\u201d and \u201clavarse\u201d. “\u00c9l lava el carro” means \u201che washes the car\u201d, while “\u00e9l se lava las manos” means \u201che washes his hands (himself)\u201d. In both of the Spanish reflexive verb examples, the subject is performing an action on him or herself. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

A Few Things to Keep in Mind<\/b><\/h2>\n

Remember that if you are using a reflexive verb in a command, you must always include the pronoun. In positive commands, the pronoun goes after the verb and in negative commands it comes before. \u00a0<\/span>
\n\"The
\n\u00a1L\u00e1va<\/span>te<\/b> las manos! <\/span>
\n\u00a1No<\/span> te<\/b> laves las manos! <\/span>
\n\u00a1Qu\u00edten<\/span>se<\/b> los zapatos! <\/span>
\n\u00a1No <\/span>se <\/b>quiten los zapatos!<\/span><\/p>\n

It is also important to note that depending on country the usage and frequency of reflexive verbs can be different. In Mexico, for example, it is very common to use reflexive verbs on words that normally wouldn’t be reflexive. Take the verb \u201ccomer\u201d for example. You can easily say the sentence “com\u00ed unos tacos” and be understood. But likewise you could say “me com\u00ed unos tacos.” <\/span><\/p>\n

Usually adding a reflexive verb where it is not required adds emphasis. Like, “I ate up the tacos,” instead of “I ate the tacos,” but in some countries this conjugation is very common and widely used.<\/span><\/p>\n

Practice!<\/b><\/h2>\n

Now for some fun. Let’s have a look at those Spanish reflexive verbs in action with this song by Mexican pop singer Gloria Trevi. The song, “<\/span>Me Siento Tan Sola,” is about a girl who finds herself unexpectedly pregnant and alone. Think Madonna’s “Papa Don’t Preach” but in Spanish. <\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n