Reflexive Verbs

Question 1

What is a reflexive verb

Answer 1

A reflexive verb acts like all other verbs in that you remove the infinitive ending (ar/er/ir) before adding on the relevant verb ending depending on the person doing the action.
The only difference is that reflexive verbs also have a reflexive pronoun, which is generally placed before the verb.

Question 2

Note the difference

Answer 2

Yo lavo el coche – I wash the car

Yo me lavo – I get washed/wash myself

Question 3

Give an example of a common reflexive verb

Answer 3

Lavarse – to get washed

Question 4

Give the verb Lavarse – to get washed

Answer 4

Yo me lavo
Tú te lavas
Él/ella/vd se lava
Nosotros nos lavamos
Vosotros os laváis
Ellos/ellas/vds se lavan

Question 5

Tell me about reflexive pronouns

Answer 5

Reflexive verbs are just like normal verbs in Spanish i.e. They end in -ar/-er/ or -ir. BUT they are accomplished by a reflexive pronoun e.g. ‘Me’ as in previous examples

Question 6

When you look in a dictionary where will you see the reflexive pronoun

Answer 6

Attracted to the end of a verb e.g.
Levantarse - to get up
Lavarse - to get washed

Question 7

How do we for for example the reflexive verb levantarse

Answer 7

• Let’s remove the reflexive pronoun (se) for now ~ levantar
• we can now see this is an ar verb
• remove the ar ending leaving you with levant
• We are now left with the stem
• as reflexive verbs need a reflexive pronoun, we now need to add the pronoun (me, te, se, nos, os, se)
• now we can add our normal ar verb ending

Question 8

Other reflexive verbs which have a radical change (spelling change in parts 1, 2, 3 and 6):

Despertarse - to wake up

Answer 8

Me despierto
Te despiertas
Se despierta
Nos despertamos
Os despertáis 
Se despiertan

Question 9

Other reflexive verbs which have a radical change (spelling change in parts 1, 2, 3 and 6):

Divertirse - to have fun

Answer 9

Me divierto
Te diviertes
Se divierte 
Nos divertimos
Os divertís 
Se divierten

Question 10

Other reflexive verbs which have a radical change (spelling change in parts 1, 2, 3 and 6):

Vestirse - to get dressed

Answer 10

Me visto
Te vistes
Se viste
Nos vestimos
Os vestís 
Se visten

Question 11

Other reflexive verbs which have a radical change (spelling change in parts 1, 2, 3 and 6):

Acostarse - to go to bed

Answer 11

Me acuesto
Te acuestas
Se acuesta
Nos acostamos
Os acostáis
Se acuestan

Question 12

What does a reflexive verb reflect back on

Answer 12

The person doing it
E.g. Me levanto - I get (myself up)
E.g. Me lavo - I get washed/ I wash myself