1. Español 3 Honores Unidad 2
Los verbos reflexivos
Español 3 Honores
Unidad 2

2. Regla Gramatical
A reflexive verb is a verb that ends in “SE” in its infinitive
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)

3. Placement
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

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

5. A REFLEXIVE VERB
A reflexive verb must have an accompanying reflexive pronoun in all forms of all tenses
The reflexive pronoun that corresponds to the subject of the sentence goes IN FRONT OF the conjugated verb
If the reflexive verb does not have to be conjugated (because it is not the main verb of the sentence/is after a preposition), the reflexive pronoun remains attached to the infinitive, but may have to change in order to agree with the subject of the sentence.

6. Siempre ME DUCHO y ME DESAYUNO por la mañana
Siempre ME DUCHO y ME DESAYUNO por la mañana. = I always take a shower and 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 eat breakfast in the aternoon.
Ejemplos

7. Reflexivo o no? NON - REFLEXIVE REFLEXIVE La Sra. Ortiz lava su coche.
Yo levanto pesas 3 veces a la semana.
Mi amigo despierta a sus hermanos.
Yo miro la tele.
El Sr. Ortiz se lava las manos.
Yo me levanto a las cinco.
Sus hermanos se despiertan.
Yo me miro en el espejo.
Reflexivo o no?

8. USO #1: Action reflects back upon subject
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

9. USO #2: Change in physical, mental, social condition
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

10. USO #3: Idiomatically 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

11. Reflexive verbs are often used 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