Reflexive verbs & Reflexive pronouns

When are reflexive verbs used? Used when the subject of the sentence and the object of the sentence are the same thing (when the verb comes back to the subject) Ej: The boy goes to bed. Subject: boy Object: (Who goes to bed?) boy Ej: El chico se acuesta. NOTE: Some verbs can be used as reflexive or not Ej: Anita washes her face. Ej: Anita se lava la cara. Ej: Anita washes the dishes. Ej: Anita lava los platos.

Common reflexive verbs Dormirse (ue) – to fall asleep Llamarse – to call oneself Cepillarse – to brush (teeth/hair/etc.) Levantarse – to get up Ponerse – to put on (clothes) Maquillarse – to put on makeup Secarse – to dry off Ducharse – to shower Despertarse (ie) – to wake up Acostarse (ue) – to go to bed

Reflexive pronouns Reflexive pronoun Person Used to show reflexive actions The conjugations follow normal patterns Person Reflexive pronoun Yo Me Tú Te Él, ella, usted Se Nosotros (as) Nos Ellos(as), ustedes

Note: Always use the definite article (el, la, los, las) instead of using the possessive article (su, sus, etc.) Ej: Ana se cepilla los dientes. Ej: Ana se cepilla sus dientes. Correcto: Ana se cepilla los dientes.

Note: When an infinitive (verb that isn’t conjugated) follows a conjugated verb, the reflexive pronoun can go in front of the conjugated verb, or on the backend of the infinitive. Me voy a acostar a las nueve. Voy a acostarme a las nueve. Both mean: I’m going to bed at nine.

Conjugation practice: dormirse Person Reflexive pronoun Conjugation Translation Yo Tú Él, ella, usted Nosotros (as) Ellos(as), ustedes

Conjugation practice: dormirse Person Reflexive pronoun Conjugation Translation Yo Me Duermo I fall asleep Tú Te Duermes You fall asleep Él, ella, usted Se Duerme s/he falls asleep Nosotros (as) Nos Dormimos We fall asleep Ellos(as), ustedes duermen They fall asleep

Practica On a piece of paper with MLA heading, do the following exercise. Write complete sentences. Decide whether or not the verb should be reflexive, then conjugate it. 1. Mis hermanos ___________ el coche. (lavarse/lavar) 2. _____ el pelo con un secador de pelo. (secarse/secar) 3. Nosotros __________ los platos. (secarse/secar) 4. Ana ____________ a las diez. (dormirse/dormir)