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Understanding Spanish Pronominal Verbs
Pronominal verbs (verbos pronominales) are verbs that are accompanied by reflexive pronouns (me, te, se, nos, os, se). They include reflexive verbs, reciprocal verbs, and inherently pronominal verbs.
Examples
Me lavo las manos.
I wash my hands. (Reflexive)
Se conocen desde niños.
They have known each other since childhood. (Reciprocal)
Reflexive Verbs (Verbos Reflexivos)
Reflexive verbs indicate that the subject performs an action on themselves. The reflexive pronoun refers back to the subject.
Examples
Me despierto a las siete.
I wake up at seven.
Ella se mira en el espejo.
She looks at herself in the mirror.
Nos vestimos rápidamente.
We get dressed quickly.
Reflexive Pronouns
Reflexive pronouns must agree with the subject of the sentence.
Reflexive Pronouns with Lavarse (to wash oneself)
| Pronoun | Conjugation | English |
|---|---|---|
| yo | me lavo | I wash myself |
| tú | te lavas | you wash yourself |
| él/ella/usted | se lava | he/she/you wash(es) himself/herself/yourself |
| nosotros | nos lavamos | we wash ourselves |
| vosotros | os laváis | you all wash yourselves |
| ellos/ellas/ustedes | se lavan | they/you all wash themselves/yourselves |
Common Reflexive Verbs
Many daily routine verbs are reflexive in Spanish.
Daily Routine Reflexive Verbs
| Pronoun | Conjugation | English |
|---|---|---|
| despertarse | to wake up | Me despierto temprano |
| levantarse | to get up | Se levanta tarde |
| ducharse | to shower | Te duchas por la mañana |
| vestirse | to get dressed | Nos vestimos elegantemente |
| peinarse | to comb one's hair | Se peina el cabello |
| acostarse | to go to bed | Me acuesto a las diez |
Reciprocal Verbs (Verbos Recíprocos)
Reciprocal verbs express mutual actions between two or more subjects. They use plural reflexive pronouns (nos, os, se) to indicate "each other."
Examples
María y Juan se aman.
María and Juan love each other.
Los amigos se ayudan.
The friends help each other.
Nos escribimos cartas.
We write letters to each other.
Common Reciprocal Verbs
These verbs express mutual actions between subjects.
Common Reciprocal Actions
| Pronoun | Conjugation | English |
|---|---|---|
| conocerse | to know each other | Se conocen bien |
| quererse | to love each other | Se quieren mucho |
| hablarse | to talk to each other | No se hablan |
| verse | to see each other | Nos vemos mañana |
| besarse | to kiss each other | Se besan en la mejilla |
| abrazarse | to hug each other | Se abrazan fuerte |
Inherently Pronominal Verbs
Some verbs are always used with reflexive pronouns, but the action is not truly reflexive. These verbs have different meanings or don't exist without the pronoun.
Examples
Me acuerdo de mi infancia.
I remember my childhood.
Se fue de la ciudad.
He/She left the city.
Nos damos cuenta del problema.
We realize the problem.
Common Inherently Pronominal Verbs
These verbs must always be used with reflexive pronouns.
Inherently Pronominal Verbs
| Pronoun | Conjugation | English |
|---|---|---|
| acordarse | to remember | Me acuerdo de ti |
| irse | to leave/go away | Se va mañana |
| quedarse | to stay | Me quedo en casa |
| darse cuenta | to realize | Te das cuenta |
| burlarse | to make fun of | Se burla de mí |
| quejarse | to complain | Nos quejamos mucho |
Verbs with Different Meanings
Some verbs change meaning when used with reflexive pronouns, creating pairs with distinct meanings.
Examples
Duermo ocho horas. / Me duermo temprano.
I sleep eight hours. / I fall asleep early.
Voy al trabajo. / Me voy de aquí.
I go to work. / I'm leaving here.
Meaning Changes with Pronouns
These verb pairs show how reflexive pronouns can completely change meaning.
Non-Reflexive vs Reflexive Meanings
| Pronoun | Conjugation | English |
|---|---|---|
| dormir / dormirse | to sleep / to fall asleep | Duermo bien / Me duermo rápido |
| ir / irse | to go / to leave | Voy al cine / Me voy ya |
| llevar / llevarse | to carry / to take away | Llevo libros / Me llevo esto |
| poner / ponerse | to put / to put on | Pongo la mesa / Me pongo la camisa |
Pronoun Placement
Reflexive pronouns follow the same placement rules as other object pronouns.
Examples
Me estoy lavando. / Estoy lavándome.
I am washing myself.
Se va a levantar. / Va a levantarse.
He/She is going to get up.