Notes on Reflexives
To say that people do something to or for themselves, we use reflexive verbs. For example: bathing oneself and brushing one’s teeth are reflexive because the person doing the action also receives the action. –Antes de una cita, me ducho y me arreglo el pelo
We know when a verb is reflexive when the infinitive ends in ‘se’ like ducharse Reflexive verbs don’t always have to be in the yo form… you can do something to yourself, he/she can do something to his/herself, we can do something to ourselves, and they can do something to themselves
Here’s how we conjugate each form: Yo me ducho Nosotros nos duchamos TúTú te duchas Él/ella se ducha Ellos se duchan There are three steps to conjugating a reflexive verb… 1. Take off the ‘se’ and move it in front of the verb 2. Change the ‘se’ if necessary 3. Conjugate the rest of the verb like normal
Sometimes, a verb can be reflexive and non- reflexive. If the action is done to something else, it’s non-reflexive. Lavar vs. Lavarse –Lavo el coche… –Me lavo el pelo… I wash the car I wash my hair REFLEXIVE!
When we use a reflexive verb with parts of the body or articles of clothing, we use el, la, los, and las –¿ Siempre te pintas las uñas? –Felipe se pone los zapatos Do you always paint your nails? Felipe puts on his shoes part of body clothing
Lastly, you can put reflexive pronouns before the conjugated verb, or attach them to the infinitive: (This happens when there’s another verb in front of the reflexive verb) I am going to shower (myself) You have to dress yourself for the party A) Me voy a duchar B) Voy a ducharme A) Te tienes que vestir para la fiesta B) Tienes que vestirte para la fiesta