Reflexive Verbs
A reflexive verb has a pronoun that points back to the subject: Levántome ás sete (I get up at seven), Vístese rápido (she gets dressed quickly).
How It Works
The pronouns. Each person has its own reflexive pronoun:
- eu → me: levántome
- ti → te: levántaste
- el, ela, vostede → se: levántase
- nós → nos: levantámonos
- vós → vos: levantádesvos
- eles, elas, vostedes → se: levántanse
Position. In a plain affirmative statement the pronoun follows the verb and is written joined to it (pronouns after the verb). The whole group is accented as one word, which is why levanto becomes levántome. Words such as non and question words pull it in front: Non me levanto cedo, A que hora te levantas? See pronouns after negatives and pronouns in questions.
The nós form. Before nos, the ending -mos loses its -s: lavamos + nos → lavámonos, deitamos + nos → deitámonos. The other persons keep their endings.
Body parts. With a reflexive verb, a body part usually takes the article, not a possessive: Lávome as mans (I wash my hands). See possessives with body parts.
Galician is not Spanish here. Some verbs that are reflexive in Spanish are not in Galician, and the reverse also happens. Chamarse is reflexive, as in saying your name, but caer (to fall) and morrer (to die) normally are not. See pronominal and non-pronominal verbs.
Examples (6)
- Levántome ás sete todos os días.
I get up at seven every day.
Word by Word: Raise-myself at-the seven all the days.
- Lavámonos as mans antes de comer.
We wash our hands before eating.
Word by Word: Wash-ourselves the hands before of to-eat.
Lavamos + nos → lavámonos: the -s of -mos drops before nos.
- Vístese rápido e sae correndo.
She gets dressed quickly and runs out.
Word by Word: Dresses-herself quick and leaves running.
- Dúchaste pola mañá ou pola noite?
Do you shower in the morning or at night?
Word by Word: Shower-yourself by-the morning or by-the night?
A yes/no question keeps the pronoun after the verb.
- Os domingos deitámonos tarde.
On Sundays we go to bed late.
Word by Word: The Sundays lay-ourselves late.
- Non me levanto cedo os sábados.
I do not get up early on Saturdays.
Word by Word: Not myself raise early the Saturdays.
Non pulls the pronoun in front of the verb.
Common Mistakes
Starting the sentence with the reflexive pronoun, as in Spanish.
Me levanto ás sete.Levántome ás sete.A Galician sentence never begins with an unstressed pronoun. In a plain statement it goes after the verb.
Keeping the -s of the nós ending before nos.
Levantámosnos cedo.Levantámonos cedo.Before the pronoun nos, the ending -mos becomes -mo: levantámonos, lavámonos, vestímonos.
Leaving se on an infinitive when the subject is someone else.
Mañá teño que levantarse cedo.Mañá teño que levantarme cedo.The pronoun matches the person who does the action, even on an infinitive: levantarme (eu), levantarte (ti), levantarnos (nós). Se is only for el, ela, vostede and their plurals.
How It Connects
Learn This First
Reflexive verbs pair a person with a matching short pronoun.
Related Patterns
- Pronouns After the Verb
The general rule that puts unstressed pronouns after the verb in plain statements.
Level 2 - chamarseSaying Your Name with Chamarse
The first reflexive verb most learners meet: Chámome ...
Level 1 - Pronouns Before the Verb After Negatives
Why the pronoun moves in front of the verb after non.
Level 2 - Reciprocal seEach Other: Reciprocal Se
The same plural pronouns can also mean "each other".
Level 3 - Pronominal and Non-Pronominal Verbs
Verbs whose use of a pronoun differs from Spanish.
Level 3 - The Article With Body Parts
Why you say lávome as mans and not a possessive.
Level 3
Learn Next
Patterns that build on this one.
Words in This Pattern
Practice Reflexive Verbs in Bubblegum
Poppy, your AI tutor, writes Galician lessons at your level. Tap any grammar point in a lesson to see its full explanation.
