Reflexives
Spanish: Edexcel IGCSE, topic 11.10.3
Reflexive Verbs
A verb is reflexive if the subject commits an action on itself. Reflexive verbs are easy to recognise because their infinitives always end in 'se'.
English translation
- When translated into english, reflexive verbs mean 'to do something to oneself'.
- 'Lavarse' means to 'wash oneself' compared to 'lavar', which just means 'to wash'.
Reflexive verbs in the infinitve
- Reflexive AR verbs end in 'arse' in the infinitive.
- Sacarse (to take something off oneself).
- Reflexive ER verbs end in 'erse' in the infinitive.
- Verse (to see oneself).
- Reflexive IR verbs end in 'irse' in the infinitive.
- Aburrirse (to get bored).
Conjugation
- Reflexive verbs need a reflexive pronoun when conjugated.
- Here is an example with 'levantarse' in the present tense:
- (Yo) me levanto.
- (Tú) te levantas.
- (Él/ella) se levanta.
- (Nosotros) nos levantamos.
- (Vosotros) os levantáis.
- (Ellos/ellas) se levantan.
Test yourself on Reflexives
How do you say 'you get bored' in Spanish?