The rule, in plain English
A reflexive verb includes a small pronoun that matches the person: me, te, se, nos, os, se. Put it before a changed verb: me levanto, te llamas, se ducha. With an infinitive, you can attach it to the end: voy a levantarme. Learn the pronoun as part of the verb because it can change the meaning: ir is to go, while irse is to leave.
Why it's hard for English speakers
English says I get up without saying myself. Spanish needs me in Me levanto. A useful check is to match the two parts: yo–me, tú–te, él/ella–se, nosotros–nos.
Worked examples
Start with these worked examples, then reveal more when you are ready.
- Me despierto a las siete.I wake up at seven.Daily routines: Yo uses the reflexive pronoun me before the conjugated verb.
- ¿Te duchas por la mañana o por la noche?Do you shower in the morning or at night?Daily routines: Tú uses te; the stem-changing verb is conjugated as duchas here without a stem change.
- Ella se viste antes de desayunar.She gets dressed before breakfast.Daily routines: Ella takes se, and vestir changes e to i in se viste.
- Usted se sienta aquí.You sit down here.Daily routines: Formal usted uses the third-person reflexive pronoun se and form sienta.
- Nos lavamos las manos antes de comer.We wash our hands before eating.Daily routines: Nosotros/as uses nos; Spanish normally uses the article las with body parts.
- ¿Os acostáis tarde los viernes?Do you all go to bed late on Fridays?Daily routines: Vosotros/as uses os, and acostarse changes o to ue in acostáis.
- Ellos se afeitan todos los días.They shave every day.Daily routines: Ellos uses se before the third-person plural verb afeitan.
- Ustedes se levantan muy temprano.You all get up very early.Daily routines: Ustedes uses se and the third-person plural form levantan.
- Me llamo Elena.My name is Elena.Identity and state: Llamarse is the normal Spanish structure for giving one's name.
- ¿Cómo te sientes hoy?How do you feel today?Identity and state: Sentirse is reflexive and stem-changing: tú te sientes.
- Nos quedamos en casa esta noche.We are staying at home tonight.Identity and state: Quedarse means to remain or stay; the pronoun is part of this meaning.
- Los niños se aburren durante el viaje.The children get bored during the journey.Identity and state: Aburrirse describes entering or experiencing the state of boredom.
Levantarse in the present
| Subject | Reflexive pronoun | Complete form |
|---|---|---|
| Yo | me | me levanto |
| Tú | te | te levantas |
| Él/Ella | se | se levanta |
| Usted | se | se levanta |
| Nosotros/as | nos | nos levantamos |
| Vosotros/as | os | os levantáis |
| Ellos/Ellas | se | se levantan |
| Ustedes | se | se levantan |
Where the reflexive pronoun goes
| Structure | Position | Example |
|---|---|---|
| One conjugated verb | Before the verb | Me ducho. |
| Conjugated verb + infinitive | Before the first verb or attached to the infinitive | Me voy a duchar / Voy a ducharme. |
| Conjugated verb + gerund | Before the first verb or attached to the gerund | Me estoy duchando / Estoy duchándome. |
| Affirmative command | Attached to the command | ¡Dúchate! |
| Negative command | Before the command | ¡No te duches! |
The pronoun can change the meaning
| Without reflexive pronoun | With reflexive pronoun | Meaning contrast |
|---|---|---|
| levantar la maleta | levantarse | lift the suitcase / get up |
| dormir | dormirse | sleep / fall asleep |
| ir | irse | go / leave or go away |
| quedar | quedarse | arrange to meet / stay |
| llamar a Ana | llamarse Ana | call Ana / be called Ana |
Common mistakes
- Levanto a las siete. (meaning ‘I get up’)Me levanto a las siete.Use levantarse for getting oneself up. Levantar without me normally needs a separate object.
- Voy a me levantar.Me voy a levantar / Voy a levantarme.Do not place the pronoun between a and the infinitive.
- Estoy me duchando.Me estoy duchando / Estoy duchándome.Put the pronoun before the conjugated verb or attach it to the gerund.
- Lavo mis manos.Me lavo las manos.For one's own body parts, Spanish normally uses the reflexive pronoun plus the definite article.
Practice
I get up early = ___ levanto temprano.
Ella ___ ducha.
We go to bed = ___ acostamos.
Voy a ___ (levantarse).
I get up at seven = ___ levanto a las siete.
Tú ___ acuestas tarde.
We wash our hands = Nos ___ las manos.
Choose the correct sentence.