Some actions you do to yourself: you get up, you get dressed, you brush your teeth. Learn the reflexive pronouns, then watch how adding se can completely change what a verb means.
START HERE
Add a pronoun that matches the subject
A reflexive verb needs a little pronoun right along with it, one that matches whoever is doing the action. The verb ending still changes like normal, you're just adding one more piece.
levantarse · to get (oneself) up
infinitive form keeps -se on the end
THE 6 REFLEXIVE PRONOUNS
me
te
se
nos
os
se
FULL CONJUGATION
Levantarse · to get up
The pronoun goes right before the conjugated verb.
SINGULAR
yome levantoI get up
túte levantasyou get up
Ud./él/ellase levantayou get up; he/she gets up
PLURAL
nosotros/asnos levantamoswe get up
vosotros/asos levantáisyou all get up (Spain)
Uds./ellos/ellasse levantanyou all / they get up
OJO: the pronoun matches the subject, not the verb ending. Me, te, se, nos, os, se goes right before the conjugated verb, unless it's attached to the end of an infinitive or a -ndo form.
FLASHCARDS · TAP TO FLIP
20 verbs to know
Common reflexive verbs. Cover the meaning, say the infinitive out loud, then tap to check.
GOOD TO KNOW
Same verb, different meaning
DORMIR VS. DORMIRSE
Se can shift the meaning entirely
Dormir is just sleeping. Dormirse is the moment you fall asleep.
Duermo ocho horas.
I sleep eight hours.
Me duermo en clase.
I fall asleep in class.
IR VS. IRSE
Going somewhere vs. leaving
Ir goes with a destination. Irse is about leaving or taking off.
Voy a la tienda.
I'm going to the store.
Me voy. ¡Ya es tarde!
I'm leaving. It's already late!
PONER VS. PONERSE
Placing something vs. wearing it or becoming it
Poner means to place or set something down. Ponerse means to put something on yourself, or to become a feeling.
Pongo la mesa.
I set the table.
Me pongo la chaqueta. Me pongo nervioso.
I put on my jacket. I get nervous.
CONJUGATE IT
Provide the present-tense form
Add the reflexive pronoun and the ending for each subject. Type the full form for aburrirse (to get bored).
PICK THE RIGHT VERB
Reflexive, or not?
Two infinitives, only one fits. Tap the one that belongs, then type the correct conjugated form in the blank.