Reflexive pronouns in Spanish

Reflexive pronouns in Spanish will be familiar to you if you have read our article on Spanish reflexive verbs. But if you still don't know what they are, how to use this type of pronoun, or when to use them, this post from don Quijote will tell you everything you need to know. Take the plunge into the language and start learning Spanish in Spain now!

Plus, you can change the language of this article on reflexive pronouns to Spanish, French, Italian or German.

What are Spanish reflexive pronouns?

Reflexive pronouns in Spanish are particles that accompany reflexive verbs and indicate that the action falls on the subject itself. In Spanish, this type of pronoun is used to express that someone is performing an action on themselves.

There are six different pronouns, and depending on the subject, one or the other will be used:

• Me: for the subject I
• Te: for the subject you
• Se: for the subject he/she/you
• Nos: for the subject we
• Os: for the subject you
• Se: for the subject they

When to use reflexive pronouns in Spanish?

Although the use of Spanish reflexive pronouns may seem complicated, don't worry, it's easier than it looks, and don Quijote is here to help you understand. Remember that Spanish reflexive pronouns are used when the action of the verb falls on the person speaking. Furthermore, reflexive pronouns are very common in Spanish, so you'll find them easy to identify.

If you want to know how to use this type of pronoun in Spanish, you simply have to place the correct reflexive pronoun according to the verb form. There are two ways to use reflexive pronouns in Spanish:

1. Placed before the conjugated verb. The reflexive pronoun in Spanish appears before the verb in the subject of the sentence. For example: “Me lavo los dientes todas las noches” (I brush my teeth every night).

2. Attached to the end of an infinitive, gerund, or imperative. It may also be the case that when the verb is in the infinitive, gerund, or imperative form, the reflexive pronoun is placed at the end. For example:

• Infinitive: “Voy a peinarme” (I'm going to comb my hair)
• Gerund: “Estoy bañándome” (I'm bathing)
• Imperative: “Levántate pronto” (Get up early)

Another feature to keep in mind is that, in English, reflexive actions are usually expressed without using a pronoun, unlike in Spanish. However, the context shows that the action is performed on oneself. For example: I wake up or She sits down. Thus, the most correct translation into English of the reflexive pronouns in Spanish are myself, yourself, or herself, which are used to emphasize that the subject performs the action on itself.

Although all this may seem complicated, here are some extra tips to help you fully understand the use of reflexive pronouns:

• Practice daily. Read in Spanish and pay attention to the conversations around you to better understand the use of these pronouns. You can also practice by writing and forming sentences that require their use.
• Pay attention to the context. If you are unsure whether a pronoun is reflexive, ask yourself whether the person is performing the action on themselves or on someone else.
• Remember the correct order. Place the pronoun before the verb or at the end of the infinitive, gerund, or imperative to use this type of Spanish reflexive pronoun correctly.

Examples of Spanish reflexive pronouns

Here are some examples of sentences showing how and where reflexive pronouns in Spanish are used.

• Voy a lavarme las manos antes de comer (I'm going to wash my hands before eating)
• Me levanto temprano todos los días para hacer ejercicio (I get up early every day to exercise)
• Se peina antes de salir de casa todos los días (She combs her hair before leaving the house every day)
• Están vistiéndose para la fiesta en la habitación de arriba (They are getting dressed for the party in the upstairs bedroom)
• Quiero acostarme temprano, que mañana madrugo (I want to go to bed early because I must get up early tomorrow)
• Se despiertan a las seis de la mañana para ir a escalar (They wake up at six in the morning to go climbing)
• Dúchate rápido, por favor, que llegamos tarde (Take a shower quickly, please, we're going to be late)
• Péinate antes de salir (Comb your hair before you go out)
• Vamos a sentarnos aquí (Let's sit down here)
• Sigue preparándote para el examen de mañana (Keep getting ready for tomorrow's exam)
• ¿Te duchas después de hacer ejercicio? (Do you shower after exercising?)
• Nos acostamos tarde el fin de semana tras la boda (We went to bed late on the weekend after the wedding)
• Se enfadan cuando las cosas no salen bien (They get angry when things don't go well)
• Te arrepientes de no haber ido al cine, ¿verdad? (You regret not going to the movies, don't you?)
• Me lavo los dientes después de cada comida (I brush my teeth after every meal)

But if you want to practice using reflexive pronouns in Spanish, these 10 exercises will help you put everything you've learned in this article into practice. We'll leave the correct answers at the end!

• Cada mañana, Juan ______ cepilla los dientes.
• Nosotros ______ preparamos el desayuno los domingos.
• ¿Tú ______ acuerdas de lo que dijo el profesor?
• Yo ______ pongo nervioso antes de hablar en público.
• Mis hermanos ______ bañan después de jugar al fútbol.
• ¿Vosotros ______ levantáis tarde los sábados?
• Tú y yo siempre ______ saludamos con un abrazo.
• Yo no ______ siento bien hoy.
• Ellos nunca ______ quejan del clima.
• ¿Ustedes ______ divierten en las fiestas?

Without a doubt, with lots of practice, reading and writing in Spanish, you will master Spanish reflexive pronouns in no time. Still have questions? Well, now is your chance to sign up for one of our intensive Spanish courses to clear up all your doubts with our qualified teachers, who will help you understand and practice pronouns. Don't think twice and start your Spanish adventure now!