what is it?
A reflexive verb is a verb whose action refers back to the subject — the person doing the action is also the one receiving it. In Spanish, reflexive verbs are marked by a reflexive pronoun (me, te, se, nos, os, se) that must agree with the subject. In the dictionary, these verbs are listed with -se attached to the infinitive: levantarse, ducharse, vestirse, acostarse. They are especially common in daily-routine contexts.
when to use it
Daily routines — actions you do to or for yourself: getting up, showering, getting dressed, going to bed.
The verb is inherently reflexive — some Spanish verbs only exist in reflexive form (e.g. quejarse). Whenever you use them, the pronoun is obligatory.
Distinguishing meaning — some verbs change meaning with the reflexive pronoun: levantar means «to lift (something)», while levantarse means «to get up».
formation
Drop the infinitive -se, conjugate the verb normally for the subject, and place the matching reflexive pronoun immediately before the conjugated form. The table below shows levantarse in the present tense.
| subject | pronoun | verb form | full form |
|---|---|---|---|
| yo | me | levanto | me levanto |
| tú | te | levantas | te levantas |
| él / ella / usted | se | levanta | se levanta |
| nosotros/as | nos | levantamos | nos levantamos |
| vosotros/as | os | levantáis | os levantáis |
| ellos / ellas / ustedes | se | levantan | se levantan |
The same pronoun pattern applies to all reflexive verbs (ducharse, vestirse, acostarse, etc.). Note that vestirse and acostarse are also stem-changing verbs, but the reflexive pronoun placement rule is identical.
With infinitives, gerunds, and positive imperatives — the pronoun attaches to the end of the non-finite form instead of standing before it: levantarme (infinitive), levantándome (gerund), levántate (positive imperative, tú). Either position is correct when an infinitive depends on a conjugated verb: Quiero ducharme and Me quiero duchar are both correct.
examples in context
common pitfalls
Omitting the pronoun entirely — the reflexive pronoun is not optional. Without it the sentence is either ungrammatical or means something different.
✗ Levanto a las siete. → ✓ Me levanto a las siete.
Mismatching pronoun and verb person — the pronoun must always agree with the subject. Using a third-person pronoun with a first-person plural verb is a common slip.
✗ Nos levanta. → ✓ Nos levantamos.
Attaching the pronoun to a conjugated verb — enclisis (pronoun glued to the end) is only correct with infinitives, gerunds, and positive imperatives, never with a conjugated form.
✗ Duchome. → ✓ Me ducho.
Three sentences, graded here. Nothing is saved and no account is needed.
Antes de las vacaciones, Laura ___ va a cortar el pelo en la peluquería del hotel.
Fill in the blank with the correct reflexive verb form.