Reflexive Verbs

A cheerful young woman in a bathroom brushing her teeth, reflected in a mirror.

Reflexive verbs indicate that the subject of the sentence performs the action on themselves. They always include a reflexive pronoun that matches the subject pronoun

“(Yo) Me levanto temprano.”
Omitting the pronoun is perfectly natural and common, as the verb conjugation (levanto) already shows who the subject is.

“Se” is used as the reflexive pronouns for in the third person singular and for plural:

  • Singular: se pone, se lava, se viste (for él/ella/usted).
  • Plural: se ponen, se lavan, se visten (for ellos/ellas/ustedes).

Singular and Plural Both Use ‘se’

The key to determining who “se” refers to is looking at the conjugation of the verb and, sometimes, the context.

Se lava las manos antes de comer.

(Ellos) se despiertan temprano los lunes.

¿(Ustedes) se bañan por la mañana o por la noche?

María y Ana se visten rápido para la fiesta.

Carlos se lava los dientes tres veces al día porque le importa su salud dental.

¿Se maquillan ustedes antes de salir a trabajar?

Mis padres siempre se despiertan antes del amanecer los fines de semana.

Los niños se quitan los zapatos cuando entran a casa.

María se pone nerviosa cuando habla en público.

Yo and Tú

Yo = me + verb conjugated to yo (past, present or future).
Tú = te + verb conjugated to tú (past, present or future).

Remember you can drop the pronoun (yo/tú) because the verb is conjugated for you or me.

(Yo) Me levanto temprano todos los días.

(Tú) Te duchas después de hacer ejercicio.

(Yo) Me pongo una chaqueta cuando hace frío.

(Tú) Te lavas las manos antes de comer.

(Yo) Me acuesto a las diez de la noche.

Using All Pronouns

Nosotros = nos + verb conjugated to nosotros (past, present or future).

(Yo) Me quedo en casa cuando llueve.

(Tú) Te diviertes cuando estás con amigos.

(Él) Se cansa después de correr.

(Ella) Se tranquiliza antes de un examen.

(Nosotros) Nos preparamos para el viaje.

(Ellos) Se llaman “Los Tigres” como un nombre de equipo.

(Yo) Me despido de mis colegas al final del día.

(Tú) Te imaginas viviendo en otro país.

(Ella) Se queja de las vecinas ruidosas.

(Ellos) Se olvidan de las llaves todo el tiempo.

Sometimes it’s not obvious to an English speaker whether the subject is acting on itself in Spanish reflexive verbs. Here are some strategies to help clarify when a verb should be reflexive, with examples specifically addressing this challenge:

Identify Actions Involving the Body or Personal Care

In English, we often omit the idea of “acting on oneself” because it’s implied. Spanish, however, requires reflexive pronouns.

Examples:

  • I wash my hands. → Me lavo las manos.
    (The subject performs the action on themselves—explicit in Spanish.)
  • He gets dressed. → Él se viste.
    (Again, “himself” is implied in English but explicit in Spanish.)

Tip: Think about actions you do to your own body—these are almost always reflexive in Spanish.

Watch for Emotional or Physical Changes

English often uses “to get” or “to become” for these changes, but Spanish prefers reflexive verbs.

Examples:

  • I get tired. → Me canso.
  • She gets angry. → Ella se enoja.
  • They get lost. → Ellos se pierden.

Tip: If an emotion or state changes in English (e.g., tired → tiredness), it’s likely reflexive in Spanish.

Look for Reciprocal Actions

When two or more people do something to each other, the verb is reflexive in Spanish.

Examples:

  • We help each other. → Nos ayudamos.
  • They see each other. → Ellos se ven.

Tip: Words like “each other” in English signal that the Spanish verb is reflexive.

Consider “Unintentional” or Accidental Actions

Spanish often uses reflexive verbs to indicate actions happening unintentionally, while English tends to phrase them passively.

Examples:

  • The glass broke. → El vaso se rompió.
  • I forgot the keys. → Se me olvidaron las llaves.
  • She dropped the book. → Se le cayó el libro.

Tip: If the action “just happened” without a clear subject, Spanish likely uses the reflexive.

  1. I brush my teeth every morning.
  2. She washes her hair with cold water.
  3. He gets dressed quickly before work.
  4. We sit down to eat dinner at seven.
  5. I shave every second day.
  6. You wake up early on weekdays.
  7. They lie down after lunch.
  8. I dry my hands with a towel.
  9. He puts on a hat when it’s sunny.
  10. The kids bathe before bedtime.
  1. I get nervous before interviews.
  2. She gets angry when people interrupt.
  3. He gets bored at long meetings.
  4. We got excited about the trip.
  5. They got scared during the storm.
  6. I get tired around 3 p.m.
  7. He gets sick in winter.
  8. You got sad after that movie.
  9. She became quiet after the argument.
  10. The baby gets sleepy after a bath.
  1. We hugged after the ceremony.
  2. They called each other every day.
  3. We see each other on weekends.
  4. The dogs chased each other.
  5. You and I always help each other.
  6. They kissed under the fireworks.
  7. We met each other in high school.
  8. The brothers fight all the time.
  9. We text each other funny memes.
  10. They smiled at each other.
  1. The glass broke.
  2. I forgot my phone at home.
  3. She lost her keys.
  4. He dropped the bag.
  5. The milk spilled.
  6. The door closed by itself.
  7. I left my wallet at the café.
  8. The light went out.
  9. My phone died.
  10. He burned the toast.

10 everyday English sentences that correspond to the impersonal/passive “se” structure in Spanish. These are the kinds of things you’d hear all the time in Mexico, especially when the speaker wants to keep things general or avoid naming who’s doing the action.

  1. You can’t park here.
  2. They say it’s the best taco stand in the city.
  3. You have to be careful in this neighborhood.
  4. In Mexico, people eat a big lunch.
  5. You learn a lot by talking to locals.
  6. Spanish is spoken here.
  7. Tickets are sold at the door.
  8. Credit cards are accepted.
  9. This app is used a lot.
  10. Fresh bread is made every morning.

“Se” passive and impersonal signs are very common in Spanish-speaking countries, especially in public spaces, businesses, official notices, and customer-facing communication. They’re everywhere — particularly in Mexico, where they sound polite, neutral, and institutional.

  1. Smoking is not allowed.
  2. Help wanted.
  3. No parking.
  4. House for sale.
  5. Entrance only.
  6. Exit through the rear door.
  7. Pets not allowed.
  8. Open at 8 a.m.
  9. Credit cards accepted.
  10. Room for rent.

Changing the reflexive pronoun can change the meaning.

  • Se quita = The subject is performing the action on themselves (reflexive).
  • El niño se quita los zapatos. (The boy takes off his own (se) shoes.)

El niño te quita los zapatos cuando entra a casa.

  • Te quita = The subject is performing the action on someone else (not reflexive).
  • El niño te quita los zapatos. (The boy takes off your (te) shoes.)

despiertan – wake up

  • Infinitive: Despertar = To wake (someone else) up.
  • Yo despierto a mi hijo. (I wake my son up.)
  • Reflexive Infinitive: Despertarse = To wake oneself up.
  • Ellos se despiertan. (They wake up.)

bañan – bathe

  • Infinitive: Bañar = To bathe (someone or something).
  • Yo baño al bebé. (I bathe the baby.)
  • Reflexive Infinitive: Bañarse = To bathe oneself (or take a bath).
  • Ellos se bañan. (They bathe themselves. / They take a bath.)

visten – get dressed

  • Infinitive: Vestir = To dress (someone).
  • Yo visto a mi hijo. (I dress my son.)
  • Reflexive Infinitive: Vestirse = To dress oneself (or get dressed).
  • Ellos se visten rápidamente. (They dress themselves quickly.)

maquillan – put on makeup

  • Infinitive: Maquillar = To put makeup on (someone).
  • Yo maquillo a mi hermana. (I put makeup on my sister.)
  • Reflexive Infinitive: Maquillarse = To put makeup on oneself.
  • Ellas se maquillan antes de salir. (They put makeup on before going out.)

quitan – take off

  • Infinitive: Quitar = To remove or take off (something).
  • Yo quito el libro de la mesa. (I remove the book from the table.)
  • Reflexive Infinitive: Quitarse = To remove or take off (something from oneself).
  • Ellos se quitan los abrigos al entrar. (They take off their coats upon entering.)

acuestan – go to bed

  • Infinitive: Acostar = To put (someone) to bed.
  • Yo acuesto a mi hijo a las nueve. (I put my son to bed at nine.)
  • Reflexive Infinitive: Acostarse = To go to bed.
  • Ellos se acuestan temprano. (They go to bed early.)

quedo – stay

  • Infinitive: Quedar = To remain, stay, or be left.
  • Quedan dos manzanas en la mesa. (There are two apples left on the table.)
  • Reflexive Infinitive: Quedarse = To stay (oneself) or remain (somewhere).
  • Me quedo en casa hoy. (I’m staying at home today.)

diviertes – enjoy

  • Infinitive: Divertir = To amuse or entertain (someone).
  • Yo divierto a los niños con un cuento. (I entertain the kids with a story.)
  • Reflexive Infinitive: Divertirse = To have fun or enjoy oneself.
  • Tú te diviertes en la fiesta. (You are having fun at the party.)

cansa – feel tired

  • Infinitive: Cansar = To tire (someone) out.
  • El trabajo cansa a los empleados. (The work tires the employees out.)
  • Reflexive Infinitive: Cansarse = To get tired (oneself).
  • Ella se cansa después de correr. (She gets tired after running.)

despido – say goodby

  • Infinitive: Despedir = To dismiss or fire (someone).
  • La empresa despide a algunos empleados. (The company fires some employees.)
  • Reflexive Infinitive: Despedirse = To say goodbye (to someone).
  • Yo me despido de mis amigos antes de irme. (I say goodbye to my friends before leaving.)