Reflexive pronouns refer back to the subject of the sentence and are used with reflexive verbs, which describe actions done to oneself. They help clarify that the subject is both performing and receiving the action.
Reflexive Pronouns Table
| Person | Reflexive Pronoun |
|---|---|
| Yo | me |
| Tú | te |
| Él/Ella/Usted | se |
| Nosotros/as | nos |
| Vosotros/as | os |
| Ellos/Ellas/Ustedes | se |
How Reflexive Pronouns Work
Reflexive pronouns always appear before the conjugated verb or can be attached to the end of an infinitive or gerund.
- Yo me levanto temprano. (I get myself up early.) — Pronoun before verb
- Quiero levantarme temprano. (I want to get myself up early.) — Pronoun attached to infinitive
- Estoy levantándome. (I am getting myself up.) — Pronoun attached to gerund
Common Reflexive Verbs
- levantarse — to get (oneself) up
- vestirse — to dress (oneself)
- ducharse — to shower (oneself)
- acostarse — to go to bed
- maquillarse — to put on makeup
- peinarse — to comb (one's hair)
- despertarse — to wake (oneself) up
- sentarse — to sit down
Examples in Sentences
| Spanish | English |
|---|---|
| Me levanto a las 7. | I get myself up at 7. |
| Ella se viste rápido. | She dresses herself quickly. |
| Nos duchamos por la mañana. | We shower ourselves in the morning. |
| ¿A qué hora te acuestas? | At what time do you go to bed? |
What is the reflexive verb for 'to dress oneself'?
vestirse
'Vestirse' means 'to dress oneself.'
Non-Reflexive vs. Reflexive Meaning
Some verbs change meaning when used reflexively.
| Verb | Non-Reflexive Meaning | Reflexive Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| llamar | to call | to call oneself (name) |
| ir | to go | to go oneself (rarely reflexive) |
| comer | to eat | to feed oneself |
| dormir | to sleep | to put oneself to sleep |
Examples in Sentences
| Spanish | English |
|---|---|
| Ella llama a su madre. | She calls her mother. |
| Ella se llama Ana. | She calls herself Ana. |
| Como una manzana. | I eat an apple. |
| Me como una manzana. | I eat an apple (for myself). |
What is the reflexive meaning of 'llamar' when used as 'se llama Ana'?
She calls herself Ana.
'Se llama Ana' means 'She calls herself Ana,' indicating the reflexive form.
Summary
Spanish reflexive pronouns are used with reflexive verbs to show that the subject performs an action on itself. They appear before the conjugated verb or can be attached to infinitives and gerunds. Some verbs change meaning when used reflexively.
Flashcards (1 of 8)
- English: I get myself up at 7.
Last updated: Wed Jun 18, 2025
