1. Reflexive Verbs Refresher

2. Definition of reflexive verbs  A verb is reflexive when the subject (the performer of the action) and the object (the receiver of that action) are the same.  When a verb is not reflexive, the subject and the object are different.  Example: He gets up, washes, shaves, and dresses (himself).  In Spanish: Él se levanta, se lava, se afeita y se viste.

3. Ejemplos:  I bathe (myself). Yo ___ ____________. (bañarse)  You call yourself Juan. Tú ____ _________ Juan.  They get up. Ellos ____ _____________. (levantarse) What are all of the reflexive pronouns en español?

4. Many transitive verbs (receiving a D.O.) may logically be made reflexive.  acostar (to put to bed)acostarse (to go to bed)  afeitar (to shave)afeitarse (to shave oneself)  divertir (to amuse)divertirse (to have a good time)  llamar (to call)llamarse (to be named)  sentar (to seat)sentarse (to sit down)  vestir (to dress)vestirse (to get dressed)

5. Example of this difference: La madre acostó a los niños a las ocho y ella se acostó a las diez.

6. Some verbs change meaning when reflexive.  Comer= to eatcomerse= to eat up  Ir= to goirse= to go away  Llevar= to carryllevarse= to carry away  Dormir= to sleepdormirse= to fall asleep  Quitar= to take awayquitarse= to take off (clothing)

7. Some verbs are always reflexive in Spanish.  Arrepentirse = to repent  Atreverse= to dare  Jactarse= to boast  Quejarse= to complain Quien no se atreve no pasa la mar. (He who does not dare does not cross the sea.) Se queja de que no se acuerda de nada. (He complains that he does not remember anything.)

8. Several verbs combine the reflexive and indirect object pronoun to indicate that the person is affected by an unexpected action.  Se le perdieron los mapas. He lost the maps.  Se me murió el caballo.My horse died “on me.”  No se me ocurrió.It didn’t occur to me.  Se me olvidó el ensayo.I forgot the essay.  Certain verbs like “olvidar”, “ocurrir” and “figurar” are often used in this way.

9. The reflexive may be used in the plural to express a reciprocal action, either direct or indirect.  No nos vemos mucho, pero nos escribimos todas las semanas.  We don’t see each other often, but we write (to one another) every week.  Se miraron uno a otro.  They looked at each other.

10. The reflexive se is used to express the English indefinite one, they, you, people, etc.  Se cree que es tonto.  People think he’s a fool.  Se come bien aquí.  One eats well here.  Se prohibe fumar en clase.  It’s forbidden to smoke in class.