Using Reflexive Verbs in Spanish

A verb is used reflexively when the subject of the verb is also its object. An example of a simple sentence using a reflexive verb is Pedro se lava (Pedro is washing himself). In that sentence Pedro is both the subject (the one doing the washing) and the object (the person begin washed). Note that the reflexive pronoun (in this case se) typically precedes the verb (although it can be attached to infinitives). Key Takeaways: Spanish Reflexive Verbs The subject and object of a reflexive verb is the same. For example: She is watching herself in the mirror.Not all Spanish reflexive verbs are translated as reflexive in English.Reflexive verbs can be used for emphasis or to avoid saying who is performing the verbs action. Here are the main ways such verbs are used: Verb's Subject Acting on Itself As in the example above, this is the most straightforward use of reflexive verbs, and it is certainly the most common way they are used in English. In plural form the pronoun can often be translated as themselves or each other, depending on the context. Some examples: Puedo verme en el espejo. (I can see myself in the mirror.) ¿Quà © te compraste? (What did you buy for yourself?)Se estaban admirando. (They were admiring themselves. Or, they were admiring each other.)Pablo se habla. (Pablo talks to himself.) Verbs Used Only in Reflexive Form Some verbs in Spanish are used only in the reflexive form, and they may or may not be translated to English using a reflexive construction. In dictionaries, such verbs traditionally are listed with a se at the end of the infinitive, as in abstenerse, which means to abstain. Me abstengo de votar. (I am abstaining from voting.)Teresa se arrepentià ³ de sus errors. (Teresa regretted her errors.)Me resigno a no tener dinero. (I am resigning myself to having no money.) Reflexive Verbs Translated as Nonreflexive Verbs Some Spanish verbs make perfect sense when understood in a reflexive way, but we typically dont translate them that way into English. For example, levantar means to lift, while its reflexive counterpart, levantarse, could be understood to mean to lift oneself, but is usually translated as to get up. Quiero baà ±arme. (I want to take a bath. Literally, I want to bathe myself.) ¡Sià ©ntate! (Sit down! Literally, seat yourself!)Voy a vestirme. (I am going to get dressed. Literally, I am going to dress myself.)Me afeito cada maà ±ana. (I shave every morning. Literally, I shave myself every morning.)Patricia se acercà ³ la casa. (Patricia approached the house. Literally, Patricia brought herself closer to the house.)Se llama Eva. (Her name is Eva. Literally, she calls herself Eva.) Verbs Changing Meaning in Reflexive Form Making a verb reflexive can change its meaning in ways that arent always predictable. Sometimes the difference in meaning is subtle. Following are some common examples; not all possible meanings of the verbs are included. abonar, to pay money; abonarse, to subscribe (as to a periodical)abrir, to open; abrirse, to open up (in the sense of confiding in someone)acordar, to agree, to decide; acordarse, to rememberacusar, to accuse; acusarse, to confesscallar, to be quiet; callarse, to become quietcerrar, to close; cerrarse, to close oneself off emotionallycombinar, to combine; combinarse (plural forms), to take turnsdormir, to sleep; dormirse, to fall asleepir, to go; irse, to go awayllevar, to carry; llevarse, to take awayponer, to put; ponerse, to put on, to wearsalir, to leave; salirse, to leave unexpectedly, to leak Reflexive Verbs for Emphasis Some verbs can be used reflexively to add emphasis. The distinction isnt always readily translated to English. For example, comà ­ la hamburguesa, means I ate the hamburger, but the reflexive form, me comà ­ la hamburguesa, could be translated the same way, or perhaps as I ate up the hamburger or I ate the whole hamburger. Similarly, pià ©nsalo might be translated as think about it, whereas pià ©nsatelo might be translated the same way or as think about it thoroughly. The 'Reflexive Passive' Often, particularly with inanimate objects, the reflexive form is used to indicate an occurrence without indicating the person or thing responsible for that occurrence. Such uses of the reflexive are typically the equivalent of passive verb forms in English, as in the following examples: Se cerraron las puertas. (The doors were closed.)Se habla espaà ±ol aquà ­. (Spanish is spoken here.)Se venden recuerdos. (Souvenirs are sold, or souvenirs for sale.) Reflexive Forms for Emotional Reactions Emotional reactions are often indicated by reflexive verb forms. For example, enojar means to anger. In the reflexive form, enojarse means to become angry or to be angry. Thus, se enoja contra su amigo could be used to say, he gets angry at his friend. Among the many verbs used in such a way are aburrirse, to be bored; alegrarse, to be happy; dolerse, to be hurt; emocionarse, to be excited; horrizarse, to be horrified; and sorprenderse, to be surprised.