Reflexive verbs are a key part of Spanish grammar. Understanding how to use them can really help you speak better in Spanish. Let’s explore some common reflexive verbs and how to use them.

Common Reflexive Verbs

Here are some everyday reflexive verbs in Spanish:

1. levantarse (to get up)
2. ducharse (to take a shower)
3. maquillarse (to put on makeup)
4. peinarse (to comb hair)
5. acostarse (to go to bed)

Present Tense Conjugation of Reflexive Verbs

When you use these verbs in the present tense, you need to add a reflexive pronoun before the verb. Reflexive pronouns are:

• me (myself)
• te (yourself, informal)
• se (himself/herself/yourself, formal)
• nos (ourselves)
• os (yourselves, informal plural)
• se (themselves/yourself, plural formal)

Here’s how to use the verb levantarse:

• Yo me levanto (I get up)
• Tú te levantas (You get up, informal)
• Él/Ella/Usted se levanta (He/She/You get up, formal)
• Nosotros/as nos levantamos (We get up)
• Vosotros/as os levantáis (You all get up, informal plural)
• Ellos/Ellas/Ustedes se levantan (They/You all get up)

Irregular Reflexive Verbs

Some reflexive verbs don’t follow the usual rules. Here are a few:

• ser (to be)
• estar (to be)
• ir (to go)

For example:

• Yo soy (I am)
• Yo estoy (I am)
• Yo voy (I go)

Sentence Structure

In Spanish, simple sentences usually follow this format:

Subject + Reflexive Verb + Object

Example:

• Yo me ducho todos los días. (I take a shower every day.)

Asking Questions

To ask questions with reflexive verbs, use these question words:

• ¿Quién se despierta temprano? (Who wakes up early?)
• ¿Qué te pones antes de salir? (What do you put on before going out?)
• ¿Dónde se duchan ustedes? (Where do you shower?)

Using Adjectives

Remember that adjectives must match the noun they describe. For example:

• Ella es bonita. (She is beautiful.)
• Ellos son altos. (They are tall.)

Saying Negatives

When you want to say something is not happening, use no or nunca:

• Yo no me maquillo. (I do not put on makeup.)
• Nunca se peina. (He/She never combs his/her hair.)

Practice with Simple Prepositions

Finally, practice using simple prepositions like en (in/on), a (to), de (of/from), and con (with) to make your sentences better:

• Me voy a la cama. (I go to bed.)
• Nos duchamos en el baño. (We shower in the bathroom.)

By learning about reflexive verbs and practicing these important grammar tips, you’ll be on your way to speaking Spanish more confidently!