Reflexive verbs show actions someone does to themselves and help express daily routines, feelings, and changes.
Definition
A reflexive verb is one where the subject and the object are the same, so the action "reflects" back on the person.
How to Recognize
Reflexive verbs always come with a reflexive pronoun like me, te, se, which matches the subject in person and number.
Reflexive Pronouns
Reflexive pronouns signal that the action returns to the subject and must agree with who is doing the action.
| Subject | Reflexive Pronoun | |
|---|---|---|
| yo | me | |
| tú | te | |
| él / ella / ud. | se | |
| nosotros/as | nos | |
| vosotros/as | os | |
| ellos / ellas / uds. | se |
Common Reflexive Verbs
Common reflexive verbs describe routines like getting up, washing, dressing, and more personal actions like feeling or changing.
| Spanish Verb | English English Word(s) | |
|---|---|---|
| levantarse | to get up | |
| ducharse | to shower | |
| vestirse | to dress | |
| acostarse | to go to bed | |
| bañarse | to bathe | |
| maquillarse | to put on makeup | |
| cepillarse el pelo / los dientes | to brush (one's) hair / teeth | |
| despertarse | to wake up | |
| relajarse | to relax | |
| sentarse | to sit down | |
| ponerse | to put on | |
| quitarse | to take off |
Usage
Use the reflexive pronoun that matches the subject and place it before a conjugated verb or attach it to an infinitive or gerund.
Non-Reflexive Uses
Some verbs can be reflexive or not, changing the meaning slightly between doing something to oneself versus to someone else.
| Spanish Sentence | English Sentence | Meaning / Note | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lavo el coche. | I wash the car. | Non-reflexive, washing something else. | |
| Me lavo el coche. | I wash the car for myself. | Reflexive with indirect benefit. | |
| Ella viste a su hermano. | She dresses her brother. | Non-reflexive, dressing another person. | |
| Ella se viste. | She gets dressed. | Reflexive, dressing herself. | |
| Cortó el papel. | He cut the paper. | Non-reflexive action. | |
| Se cortó la mano. | He cut his hand. | Reflexive, indicating injury to self. |
Summary
Reflexive verbs consistently use pronouns that match the subject to show an action done to oneself and appear in everyday expressions.
This guide teaches English in English.
Last updated: Fri Oct 24, 2025