Reflexive verbs
Type the missing word in each sentence. You hear each sentence read by a native voice.
Ella en su trabajo.
She focused on her work.
The rule
Me lavo means I wash myself. Dictionaries list these with -se attached: lavarse, sentarse, llamarse. Many common Spanish verbs are reflexive where English would not expect it, so recognising the pattern is important for reading and speaking naturally.
The pattern
The reflexive pronoun changes with the subject:
| Subject | Pronoun |
|---|---|
| yo | me |
| tú | te |
| él, ella, usted | se |
| nosotros, nosotras | nos |
| ellos, ellas, ustedes | se |
Put the pronoun before a conjugated verb: Me siento. Attach it to an infinitive: Quiero sentarme.
Some verbs change meaning with se. Ir means to go, but irse means to leave. Dormir means to sleep, but dormirse means to fall asleep. Poner means to put, but ponerse can mean to put on clothing or to become a certain way.
Some verbs exist only with se: quejarse (to complain), atreverse (to dare), arrepentirse (to regret).
Se also has other uses. In Se habla español aquí, se does not mean "himself." It makes an impersonal statement: Spanish is spoken here.
Examples
- Me llamo Carlos.My name is Carlos.
- El tren fue a Lima.The train went to Lima.
- Ana se fue sin decir nada.Ana left without saying anything.
- Dormí ocho horas.I slept for eight hours.
- Me dormí en el sofá.I fell asleep on the sofa.
- Puse las llaves en la mesa.I put the keys on the table.
- Me puse la chaqueta.I put on my jacket.
- Nos vemos mañana.See you tomorrow.
Watch out
- Me llamo es Carlos. Me llamo Carlos.Me llamo already means "my name is," so es is extra.
- Dormí en el sofá sin querer. (meaning you fell asleep). Me dormí en el sofá.Use dormirse for falling asleep, especially when it was unintentional.
- Fueron sin decir nada. (meaning they left). Se fueron sin decir nada.Use irse when the meaning is "to leave," not just "to go."
- Nosotros se sentamos. Nosotros nos sentamos.The pronoun must match the subject: nos for nosotros.