What “reflexive” means
The subject does the action to themselves : lavar = to wash → lavarse = to wash oneself . Reflexive pronouns ( me, te, se, nos, os, se ) go before the conjugated verb or attached to infinitive / gerund / affirmative command.
Reflexive verbs
Daily routine, feelings, reciprocal actions — me, te, se…
In this guide7 sections
Reflexive pronouns + present
| Person | Pronoun | Example (levantarse) |
|---|---|---|
| yo | me | Me levanto a las siete. |
| tú | te | Te duchas por la mañana. |
| él / ella / usted | se | Se viste rápido. |
| nosotros/as | nos | Nos acostamos tarde. |
| vosotros/as | os | Os laváis las manos. |
| ellos / ellas / ustedes | se | Se van a las ocho. |
Daily routine verbs
| Verb | Meaning |
|---|---|
| despertarse | to wake up |
| levantarse | to get up |
| ducharse | to shower |
| lavarse | to wash (oneself) |
| lavarse los dientes | to brush one’s teeth |
| vestirse | to get dressed |
| peinarse | to comb one’s hair |
| afeitarse | to shave |
| maquillarse | to put on makeup |
| desayunar | to have breakfast (not reflexive, but routine) |
| acostarse | to go to bed |
| dormirse | to fall asleep |
Morning routine — full paragraphs
My routine (yo)
- Me despierto a las siete y media, pero no me levanto hasta las siete y cuarenta. Me ducho con agua caliente, me lavo los dientes y me visto. Me peino delante del espejo, desayuno un café con tostadas y salgo de casa a las ocho y cuarto.I wake up at half past seven, but I do not get up until twenty to eight. I shower with hot water, brush my teeth and get dressed. I comb my hair in front of the mirror, have a coffee with toast for breakfast and leave the house at quarter past eight.
Your routine (tú)
- Te despiertas tarde los fines de semana. Te duchas rápido, te afeitas si hace falta y te vistes con ropa cómoda. Desayunas en la cocina y te vas al parque con tus amigos.You wake up late at weekends. You shower quickly, shave if needed and dress in comfortable clothes. You have breakfast in the kitchen and go to the park with your friends.
Our routine (nosotros) / Your all’s routine (vosotros — Spain)
- Nos levantamos temprano entre semana. Nos duchamos, nos vestimos y desayunamos juntos antes de ir al trabajo.We get up early on weekdays. We shower, get dressed and have breakfast together before going to work.
- Vosotros os acostáis muy tarde los viernes. Os despertáis al mediodía el sábado, os ducháis con calma y os preparáis para salir.You all go to bed very late on Fridays. You wake up at midday on Saturday, shower at a relaxed pace and get ready to go out.
llamarse — saying your name
- Me llamo Jorge.My name is Jorge. (lit. I call myself)
- ¿Cómo te llamas?What is your name?
- Se llama Ana.Her name is Ana.
- ¿Cómo os llamáis?What are you all called? (Spain)
- ¿Cómo se llama usted?What is your name? (formal)
Where the pronoun goes
Before conjugated verb: Me levanto.
Attached to infinitive: Voy a levantarme .
Attached to gerund: Estoy duchándome .
Attached to affirmative command: ¡ Levanta te!
- Voy a acostarme temprano.I am going to go to bed early.
- Estamos preparándonos para salir.We are getting ready to go out.
Quick check — 12 questions
I get up at seven →
You shower in the morning →
You all wash your hands (Spain) →
My name is Ana →
What is your name? →
We go to bed late →
He gets dressed quickly →
I am going to shower →
Do not get up! (tú) →
They leave at eight →
I brush my teeth →
What are you all called? (Spain) →