5.3 Reflexive Verbs

Reflexive meaning

Reflexive verbs show the subject doing an action to itself, often for daily routine: levantarse (to get up), ducharse (to shower), vestirse (to get dressed), acostarse (to go to bed).

Reflexive pronouns

Add the pronoun me, te, se, nos, os, se before the conjugated verb: 'Yo me levanto' (I get up), 'Ella se ducha,' 'Nosotros nos acostamos.'

With infinitives

The pronoun can attach to an infinitive or go before the conjugated verb: 'Voy a levantarme' or 'Me voy a levantar' — both mean 'I'm going to get up.'

Key terms

Reflexive verb

Subject acts on itself (levantarse, ducharse)

me, te, se, nos, os, se

reflexive pronouns

levantarse / acostarse

to get up / to go to bed

Yo me levanto

I get up

With infinitive

levantarme or me... levantar (both correct)

Try an AP-style question

"Me levanto a las siete" means…

1. I lift it at seven
2. I leave at seven
3. I wake him at seven
4. I get up at seven