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Spanish Reflexive Pronouns Overview
Spanish reflexive pronouns are used when the subject and object of an action are the same person. They indicate that someone is doing something to themselves.
Key Concept: The action "reflects back" to the person doing it
Position: Usually go before the conjugated verb
Usage: With reflexive verbs and to show self-directed actions
Reflexive vs. Non-reflexive: Many verbs can be used both ways depending on whether the action is done to oneself or to someone/something else.
Examples
Me lavo las manos.
I wash my hands. (I wash myself)
Lavo el coche.
I wash the car. (not reflexive)
Se mira en el espejo.
He/she looks at himself/herself in the mirror.
Mira la televisión.
He/she watches television. (not reflexive)
Complete List of Reflexive Pronouns
Spanish reflexive pronouns correspond to each personal pronoun:
Reflexive Pronouns Chart
Each person has a corresponding reflexive pronoun:
Spanish Reflexive Pronouns
| Pronoun | Conjugation | English |
|---|---|---|
| me | myself | Me lavo (I wash myself) |
| te | yourself (informal) | Te vistes (You dress yourself) |
| se | himself/herself/yourself (formal) | Se levanta (He/she gets up) |
| nos | ourselves | Nos preparamos (We prepare ourselves) |
| os | yourselves (informal, Spain) | Os bañáis (You all bathe yourselves) |
| se | themselves/yourselves | Se acuestan (They go to bed) |
Me despierto a las siete.
I wake up at seven. (I wake myself up)
Te peinas muy bien.
You comb your hair very well. (You comb yourself)
Nos divertimos mucho.
We have a lot of fun. (We amuse ourselves)
Se van mañana.
They leave tomorrow. (They take themselves away)
Common Reflexive Verbs
Many Spanish verbs are commonly used reflexively. Here are the most important categories:
Daily Routine Verbs
These verbs describe daily personal care activities:
levantarse (to get up) → Me levanto temprano.
to get up → I get up early.
ducharse (to shower) → Te duchas por la mañana.
to shower → You shower in the morning.
vestirse (to get dressed) → Se viste rápidamente.
to get dressed → He/she gets dressed quickly.
peinarse (to comb hair) → Nos peinamos antes de salir.
to comb hair → We comb our hair before leaving.
acostarse (to go to bed) → Se acuestan tarde.
to go to bed → They go to bed late.
Emotional and Mental State Verbs
These verbs describe emotional or mental changes:
sentirse (to feel) → Me siento bien.
to feel → I feel good.
preocuparse (to worry) → Te preocupas demasiado.
to worry → You worry too much.
enojarse (to get angry) → Se enoja fácilmente.
to get angry → He/she gets angry easily.
divertirse (to have fun) → Nos divertimos en la fiesta.
to have fun → We have fun at the party.
aburrirse (to get bored) → Se aburren en clase.
to get bored → They get bored in class.
Movement and Position Verbs
These verbs describe changes in position or movement:
sentarse (to sit down) → Me siento aquí.
to sit down → I sit down here.
pararse (to stand up) → Te paras muy derecho.
to stand up → You stand up very straight.
irse (to leave/go away) → Se va a casa.
to leave/go away → He/she goes home.
quedarse (to stay) → Nos quedamos en casa.
to stay → We stay at home.
Reflexive Pronoun Placement
Reflexive pronouns follow the same placement rules as other object pronouns:
Standard Placement Rules
Before conjugated verbs: Most common position
Attached to infinitives: With verb + infinitive constructions
Attached to present participles: With -ando/-iendo forms
Attached to affirmative commands: ¡Levántate! (Get up!)
Me voy a levantar. = Voy a levantarme.
I'm going to get up. (both forms correct)
Estoy vistiéndome.
I am getting dressed. (with accent mark)
¡Siéntate! vs. ¡No te sientes!
Sit down! vs. Don't sit down!
Reflexive vs. Non-Reflexive Meanings
Many verbs change meaning when used reflexively:
Meaning Changes with Reflexive Use
Some verbs have different meanings when used reflexively vs. non-reflexively:
dormir (to sleep) vs. dormirse (to fall asleep)
Duermo ocho horas vs. Me duermo temprano
ir (to go) vs. irse (to leave/go away)
Voy al trabajo vs. Me voy de aquí
llamar (to call) vs. llamarse (to be named)
Llamo a María vs. Me llamo Juan
poner (to put) vs. ponerse (to put on/become)
Pongo el libro vs. Me pongo la camisa
Reciprocal Actions
Reflexive pronouns can also express reciprocal actions (each other):
Expressing "Each Other"
With plural subjects, reflexive pronouns can mean "each other":
Context determines meaning: reflexive vs. reciprocal
Common with: nos, os, se (plural forms)
Clarification: Add "mutuamente" or "el uno al otro" if needed
Nos vemos mañana.
We see each other tomorrow. (reciprocal)
Se escriben cartas.
They write letters to each other. (reciprocal)
Os conocéis bien.
You all know each other well. (reciprocal, Spain)
Se ayudan mutuamente.
They help each other. (clarified reciprocal)
Reflexive Verbs in Different Tenses
Reflexive verbs work in all tenses - the pronoun stays with the subject:
Conjugation Examples
Here's how reflexive verbs work in different tenses using "levantarse" (to get up):
Levantarse (To Get Up) - Different Tenses
| Pronoun | Conjugation | English |
|---|---|---|
| Present | me levanto | I get up |
| Preterite | me levanté | I got up |
| Imperfect | me levantaba | I used to get up |
| Future | me levantaré | I will get up |
| Conditional | me levantaría | I would get up |
Ayer me levanté tarde.
Yesterday I got up late. (preterite)
Cuando era niño, me levantaba temprano.
When I was a child, I used to get up early. (imperfect)
Mañana me levantaré a las seis.
Tomorrow I will get up at six. (future)
Common Reflexive Pronoun Mistakes
Here are common mistakes Spanish learners make with reflexive pronouns:
Mistake 1: Forgetting the reflexive pronoun with reflexive verbs
Mistake 2: Using reflexive pronouns with non-reflexive verbs
Mistake 3: Wrong pronoun placement with infinitives
Mistake 4: Forgetting accent marks with participles
Learning to avoid these mistakes will make your Spanish sound natural.
Examples
❌ Levanto temprano → ✅ Me levanto temprano
Wrong: I get up early → Right: I get up early (with reflexive)
❌ Me como la pizza → ✅ Como la pizza
Wrong: I eat myself the pizza → Right: I eat the pizza
❌ Voy me levantar → ✅ Me voy a levantar / Voy a levantarme
Wrong: I go me get up → Right: I'm going to get up
❌ Estoy levantandome → ✅ Estoy levantándome
Wrong: I am getting up → Right: I am getting up (with accent)