Spanish 4.4. Reflexive Pronouns & Verbs

A verb in Spanish is reflexive if the subject and the object are the same. This means that the subject is doing the action to itself, not to something or someone else. For instance, “I wash myself” is reflexive, while “I wash my car” is not reflexive.

Some verbs in Spanish are common in the reflexive form. Let us take one example that we are familiar with.

The verb “llamar” means “to call,” e.g., “Mi mamá me llama todos los viernes” (My mom calls me every Friday).

However, the reflexive form of the verb “llamarse,” which literally means “to call oneself,” is used to express one’s name. For instance, “Me llamo Carlos” means “My name is Carlos,” which is literally “I call myself Carlos.”

Conjugation

There are many verbs in Spanish that have reflexive forms. We will discuss some examples; however, let us first learn how to conjugate reflexive verbs.

As shown in the table, we add the object personal pronoun before the verb. Note that the subject and object personal pronouns are of the same gender and number because the subject and the object are essentially the same.

Examples of Reflexive Verbs

When the verb is used in reflexive form, the infinitive ends in “se,” e.g., “llamarse.” Here are more examples of reflexive verbs.

Let us look at some examples in context:

One can add the reflexive pronoun to verbs that are not regularly reflexive to make them reflexive, for example:

Some verbs are used only in reflexive form, for example:

Change of Meaning

Some verbs change their meaning when they appear in the reflexive form, for example:

Some verbs do not change their meaning but imply emphasis when used in the reflexive form. These cases are hard to translate into English.

The verb “Quedar” and its reflexive form “Quedarse”

The verb “quedar” and its reflexive form, “quedarse,” are very common verbs in Spanish and can have different meanings depending on the context. We will cover some of the possible meanings of both verbs.

Uses of “Quedar”

The following are some of the most common meanings of the verb “quedar” with examples:

Uses of “Quedarse”

On the other hand, here are two common meanings of the reflexive verb “quedarse” in different contexts:

In addition, “quedar” and “quedarse” can have different meanings when used in some common idioms in Spanish.

Quiz: Reflexive Pronouns & Verbs in Spanish

Spanish: Reflexive Pronouns & Verbs

1 / 10

1. Conjugate the Spanish verb "sentirse" (to feel) in the present indicative tense.

yo
tú
él/ella/usted
nosotros/as
vosotros/-as
ellos/ellas/ustedes

 

Accented letters (if needed):

á

é

í

ó

ú

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Check

2 / 10

2. They saw each other by accident. (to see each other = verse)

SP: Ellos por accidente.

Accented letters (if needed):

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3 / 10

3. She woke up early today. (to wake up = despertarse)

SP: Ella  temprano hoy.

Accented letters (if needed):

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4 / 10

4. We know each other very well. (to know each other = conocerse)

SP: muy bien.

Accented letters (if needed):

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5 / 10

5. It is sad to hear of people that commit suicide. (to commit suicide = suicidarse)

SP: Es triste saber de personas que .

Accented letters (if needed):

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Check

Some verbs are used only in reflexive form, such as "suicidarse" (to commit suicide).

Some verbs are used only in reflexive form, such as "suicidarse" (to commit suicide).

6 / 10

6. Conjugate the Spanish verb "divertirse" (to have fun) in the present indicative tense.

yo
tú
él/ella/usted
nosotros/as
vosotros/-as
ellos/ellas/ustedes

 

Accented letters (if needed):

á

é

í

ó

ú

ñ

ü

Check

7 / 10

7. Many people complain about the services in the city.  (to complain = quejarse)

SP: Mucha gente de los servicios de la ciudad..

Accented letters (if needed):

á

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ó

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Check

Some verbs are used only in reflexive form, such as "quejarse" (to complain).

Remember that the word "gente" (people) in Spanish is singular.

Some verbs are used only in reflexive form, such as "quejarse" (to complain).

Remember that the word "gente" (people) in Spanish is singular.

8 / 10

8. She compares her options all the time. 

SP: Ella sus opciones todo el tiempo.

She compares herself to others all the time.

SP: Ella con los demás todo el tiempo.

Accented letters (if needed):

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9 / 10

9. We had a lot of fun yesterday. (to have fun = divertirse)

SP: mucho ayer.

á

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10 / 10

10. The boss will dismiss all the employees.

SP: El jefe a todos los empleados.

He will say goodbye and leave soon.

SP: Él  y se irá pronto.

Accented letters (if needed):

á

é

í

ó

ú

ñ

ü

Check

Some verbs change meaning when they are used in reflexive form.

Some verbs change meaning when they are used in reflexive form.

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Next: The Verb “Soler”

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