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Topics & rules

Reflexive & pronominal verbs

A2

Reflexive and pronominal verbs with me/te/se/nos/os/se: the action reflects back on the subject itself.

Overview

Reflexive and pronominal verbs with me/te/se/nos/os/se: the action reflects back on the subject itself.

At a glance
  1. 1.Reflexive pronouns me/te/se/nos/os/se
  2. 2.Verb ends in -se in the infinitive
  3. 3.Placement of the pronoun
  4. 4.Reciprocal meaning (each other)
  5. 5.se changes the meaning

Rules

5

1Reflexive pronouns me/te/se/nos/os/se

The pronoun matches the person: me, te, se, nos, os, se.

  • Me levanto a las siete.I get up at seven.
  • Nos lavamos las manos.We wash our hands.1st person plural
  • Pedro se ducha por la mañana.Pedro showers in the morning.

2Verb ends in -se in the infinitive

Reflexive verbs carry attached se in the infinitive: levantarse, lavarse.

  • Quiero levantarme temprano.I want to get up early.me matches yo
  • Es importante lavarse las manos.It is important to wash one's hands.

3Placement of the pronoun

Before a conjugated verb; attached to infinitive, gerund and affirmative imperative.

  • Me voy a duchar. / Voy a ducharme.I'm going to shower.both correct
  • ¡Levántate ya!Get up now!imperative: attached
  • Está peinándose.She is combing her hair.gerund

4Reciprocal meaning (each other)

In the plural se/nos/os can mean 'each other': they love each other.

  • Ana y Luis se quieren mucho.Ana and Luis love each other very much.
  • Nos escribimos cada semana.We write to each other every week.

5se changes the meaning

Some verbs change meaning with se: ir vs. irse, dormir vs. dormirse.

  • Me voy ahora.I'm leaving now.irse = to leave
  • Voy al cine.I'm going to the cinema.ir = to go
  • Me dormí en el sofá.I fell asleep on the sofa.dormirse = fall asleep

Test

18

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