Reflexive Verbs in Spanish

A reflexive verb is an action that we do that is received by our body.

Cepillarse los dientes

In this lesson, we are going to introduce Reflexive Verbs. These verbs are interesting because, in the dictionary, you will find them with a pronoun at the end, for example, “ducharse” (to shower) or “cepillarse” (to brush).

A Reflexive Verb is an action that we do that is received by our body. It is a “Reflection” of the action. For example, I can wash my car “Lavo mi auto” (non-reflexive because we are washing something else: the car), or I can wash my hands “Me lavo las manos” (it is reflexive because we are washing ourselves).

The Reflexive Verbs always use a pronoun before the verb, except in the Infinitive or the Gerund (we will learn about the gerund in another post!) when it can go at the end.

Pronouns

(Yo) me

(Vos, Tú) te

(Ud./Él/Ella) se

(Nosotros-as) nos

(Uds./Ellos-as) se

Typical Reflexive Verbs

Ducharse (to take a shower), Bañarse (to take a bath), Despertar- se (to get up), Levantarse (to wake up), Mirarse al espejo (to look in the mirror), Vestirse (to dress), Desvestirse (to undress), Cepillarse los dientes/el pelo (to brush the teeth/ the hair), Peinarse (to comb), Maquillarse (to put on makeup), Afeitarse (to shave), Lavarse partes del cuerpo (to wash parts of the body), Acostarse (to go to bed), Ponerse (to put on), Quitarse  (to take off), Arreglar- se (to get ready), Dormirse (to fall asleep), Cuidarse (to take care).

Let’s read a routine that will help us understand reflexive verbs, learn some vocabulary and learn more about the use of time. Examples regarding time will be in bold, and every use of reflexive verbs will be in bold and italics.

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Me levanto a las siete y media (7.30 hs.), primero me ducho, me cepillo los dientes y me visto. Nunca me maquillo porque no tengo tiempo. Luego desayuno, generalmente mate con tostadas. A las ocho en punto (8 hs.) salgo de mi casa. Tomo el colectivo y llego al trabajo alrededor de las nueve menos cuarto (8.45 hs.). Soy profesora de español en una escuela de idiomas. Las clases comienzan a las nueve (9 hs.) y terminan a la una (1 h.). Después de la clase almuerzo y a la tarde doy algunas clases privadas. Regreso a casa a eso de las seis y media (6.30 hs.), meriendo y después trato de hacer algo de ejercicio. Leo mis mails y miro un poco la tele. Ceno con mi esposo a las nueve (9 hs.), miramos alguna película o conversamos y nos acostamos cerca de las doce de la noche (24hs.).

Translation:

I get up at half past seven (7.30 hrs.), firstly I shower, brush my teeth and get dressed. I never put on makeup because I have no time. After that, I have breakfast, usually mate and toast. At eight o’clock (8 hrs.) leave my house. I take the bus and get to work around a quarter to nine (8.45 hrs.). I teach Spanish at a language school. Classes begin at nine (9 hrs.) and end at one (1 hr). After the class, I have lunch and in the afternoon I give some private lessons. I come home at about half past six (6.30 hrs.) I eat a snack and then I try to do some exercise. I read my mail and watch some TV.  I eat dinner with my  husband at nine (9 hrs.) We watch a movie or talk, and we go to bed at about midnight (24hs.).

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Practice Exercises (For Paid Subscribers Only)

The practice exercises below are only for paid subscribers. In them, you will find practice exercises pertaining to this lesson in the post and as an attached pdf so you can print them out. You also have the opportunity to email me at speakspanish@substack.com if you have any questions. Upgrade to a paid subscription to access the exercise and other subscriber-only benefits!

Fill in the blanks with the correct conjugation of the reflexive verb.

1. Las mujeres europeas (maquillarse) ___________ bastante cuando salen.

2. Si voy a una boda (ponerse) ___________ ropa legante.