Reflexive Verbs
Verbos reflexivos
Verbs with se: levantarse, ducharse, acordarse.
The rule
A reflexive verb is one where the subject and the object are the same: the do-er and the receiver are one person (levantar = to raise; levantarse = to raise oneself = to get up). They need reflexive pronouns: me, te, se, nos, se. The pronoun normally goes before the conjugated verb: me llamo, te lavas, se levanta, nos duchamos, se despiertan.
After another verb it can attach to the infinitive: quiere peinarse. Careful: me/te/se/nos also work as other kinds of pronoun, so read the sentence before deciding.
Examples
Me llamo Calvin.
I'm called Calvin. (llamarse = to call oneself)
¿A qué hora te levantaste?
What time did you get up?
Él se lava los pies con agua caliente.
He washes his feet with hot water.
Nos levantamos tarde ayer.
We got up late yesterday.
Ella quiere peinarse.
She wants to comb her hair. (pronoun attaches to the infinitive)
Try it yourself
Three quick questions, straight from the app. No sign-up needed.
___ llamo Marcos.
I'm called Marcos.
All 11 Reflexive Verbs questions, free in Hablaba
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