Pronominal Verbs
Pronominal verbs are verbs that are accompanied by a reflexive pronoun and often change the meaning of the verb or indicate that the action relates back to the subject. This guide covers the main types of pronominal verbs and how to recognize and use them.
Types
Pronominal verbs come in several types: truly reflexive, reciprocal, and those that use the pronoun for added nuance or meaning. Understanding the type helps you choose the correct pronoun and interpret the sentence.
Truly Reflexive
Truly reflexive verbs describe an action the subject does to themselves, such as lavarse (to wash oneself) or vestirse (to dress oneself). The reflexive pronoun matches the subject.
Reciprocal
Reciprocal verbs express an action that two or more subjects do to each other, using plural reflexive pronouns like nos, os, or se. For example, se abrazan means "they hug each other."
Essentially Pronominal
Some verbs are essentially pronominal, meaning they normally appear with a reflexive pronoun and the pronoun changes or adds to the meaning, like quejarse (to complain) or darse cuenta (to realize).
Pronouns
The reflexive pronouns in Spanish are me, te, se, nos and os, and they must agree with the subject in person and number. The pronoun typically precedes a conjugated verb or attaches to an infinitive, gerund, or affirmative command.
Placement
Placement of reflexive pronouns follows standard clitic rules: they go before conjugated verbs, or attach to infinitives, gerunds, and positive commands. Negative commands place the pronoun before the verb.
Examples
| Spanish Example | English Translation |
|---|---|
| 🌅 Me levanté temprano para ver el amanecer. | I got up early to see the sunrise. |
| 👫 Se saludaron con un abrazo al llegar al parque. | They greeted each other with a hug upon arriving at the park. |
| 🧴 Se queja siempre del precio del café. | He always complains about the price of the coffee. |
| ☕ Me preparé un café antes de salir. | I made myself a coffee before leaving. |
| 🗣️ Nos saludamos con un gesto desde lejos. | We greeted each other with a wave from afar. |
| 🙄 Se volvió a distraer con el teléfono. | He got distracted again by his phone. |
Summary
Pronominal verbs use reflexive pronouns to show actions back on the subject, reciprocal actions, or nuanced meanings; learn common verbs and practice pronoun placement to become fluent.
Last updated: Sun Sep 14, 2025