Los verbos reflexivos Español 3 Honores Unidad 2

A reflexive verb is a verb that ends in “SE” in its infinitive form When a reflexive verb is used in a sentence, the reflexive pronoun corresponds to the subject of the conjugated verb in the sentence Some verbs are ALWAYS reflexive (quejarse) Others are sometimes reflexive and sometimes non-reflexive, depending upon context (levantar VS. levantarse) Regla Gramatical

When the reflexive verb is conjugated, the reflexive pronoun corresponds to the form of that verb, and is in front of the conjugated form of the verb. Reflexive pronouns (me, te, se, nos, se) can ONLY be ATTACHED to: ◦ Infinitive verbs ◦ The present participle ◦ Positive commands ◦ OTHERWISE, THEY GO IN FRONT OF THE VERB Placement

 ME levantO  TE levantAS  SE levantA  NOS LevantAMOS  SE levantAN Un ejemplo: Levantarse

A reflexive verb must have an accompanying reflexive pronoun – it is a grammatical part of the verb. SOMETIMES IT IS NECESSARY TO CONJUGATE THE REFLEXIVE VERB, SOMETIMES IT IS NOT. IT DEPENDS ON THE CONTEXT IN WHICH IT’S USED. When CONJUGATING a reflexive verb, the reflexive pronoun (corresponds to the subject) goes IN FRONT OF the conjugated verb. If the reflexive verb itself does not have to be conjugated (because it is verb 2 in an infinitive construction), the reflexive pronoun remains attached to the infinitive, but may have to change in order to agree with the subject of the sentence. A REFLEXIVE VERB

 Yo Siempre ME DUCHO y ME DESAYUNO por la mañana. = I always take a shower and I eat breakfast in the morning.  Este domingo, voy a ducharme y desayunarme por la tarde. = This Sunday, I am going to take a shower and (I’m going to) eat breakfast in the afternoon. Ejemplos

¿Reflexivo o no? NON – REFLEXIVE (an object or another person receives action of verb) La Sra. Ortiz lava su coche. Yo levanto pesas 3 veces a la semana. Mi amigo despierta a sus hermanos. Yo miro la tele. REFLEXIVE (action reflects back upon subject) El Sr. Ortiz se lava las manos. Yo me levanto a las cinco. Sus hermanos se despiertan. Yo me miro en el espejo.

Indicates that the subject is performing the action ON or FOR him/herself. Nos lavamos antes de cenar. = We wash (ourselves) before eating. Juan se mira en el espejo. = Juan is looking/looks at himself in the mirror. Me=myself; Te=yourself, etc. With verbs relating to personal care, use the definite article (rather than the possessive adjective) with parts of the body and clothing. ◦ Te cepillas LOS dientes. = You brush/are brushing YOUR teeth. ◦ Me quito LOS zapatos. = I take off MY shoes. USO #1: Action reflects back upon subject (daily routine)

Reflexive verbs are often used to express a change in: Physical, mental or social condition Corresponds to English verbs: to get _________; to be getting _________; to become __________; to be growing ______________. Nos levantamos = We are GETTING up. Mi madre se pone furiosa = My mom is GETTING angry. Alicia se casa = Alicia is GETTING married. Quiero hacerme abogada = I want to BECOME a lawyer. USO #2: Change in physical, mental, social condition

Reflexive verbs are often used IDIOMATICALLY. Some verbs are always reflexive (verbs on p.53) although they correspond to English non-reflexive verbs. In this case, the verb is reflexive idiomatically. ◦ Juan SE QUEJA de todo. = Juan COMPLAINS about everything. ◦ Quejarse is ALWAYS reflexive (idiomatic) USO #3: Idiomatically

Reflexive pronouns are often used with verbs that are typically non-reflexive to express RECIPROCAL action. Reciprocal action = each other or one another You can manipulate se and nos to mean each other/one another Juan y Elena se adoran. = Juan & Elena adore each other. Mis amigos y yo vamos a escribirnos durante las vacaciones de verano. = My friends and I are going to write each other/to one another during summer vacation. USO #4: Reciprocally