me/te/se/nos/os/se
Reflexive Pronouns
Use me, te, se, nos, os, se when the subject and object of the verb are the same person.
How It Works
Reflexive pronouns show that the action of the verb returns to the subject. They are placed directly before the conjugated verb.
Each reflexive pronoun corresponds to a specific subject pronoun:
- yo → me (I ... myself)
- tú → te (you ... yourself)
- él/ella/usted → se (he/she/you (formal) ... himself/herself/yourself)
- nosotros/as → nos (we ... ourselves)
- vosotros/as → os (you all ... yourselves)
- ellos/ellas/ustedes → se (they/you all ... themselves/yourselves)
For example, with the verb lavar (to wash), if you wash yourself, you use the reflexive form lavarse and say: Yo me lavo. (I wash myself.)
Examples (6)
- Yo me levanto a las siete.
I get up at seven.
Word by Word: I myself get up at the seven.
- Tú te duchas por la mañana.
You shower in the morning.
Word by Word: You yourself shower in the morning.
- Ella se llama Ana.
Her name is Ana.
Word by Word: She herself calls Ana.
The verb 'llamarse' (to be named) is reflexive in Spanish. It literally means 'to call oneself'.
- Nosotros nos vestimos para la fiesta.
We get dressed for the party.
Word by Word: We ourselves get dressed for the party.
- Vosotros os laváis las manos.
You all wash your hands.
Word by Word: You all yourselves wash the hands.
- Ellos se acuestan tarde.
They go to bed late.
Word by Word: They themselves go to bed late.
Common Mistakes
Forgetting to use the reflexive pronoun.
Yo levanto a las siete.Yo me levanto a las siete.Without 'me', the verb 'levantar' means 'to lift something' (e.g., 'Yo levanto la caja' - I lift the box). To say you get up, you must use the reflexive pronoun 'me'.
Using the wrong pronoun for the subject.
Tú se lavas las manos.Tú te lavas las manos.The reflexive pronoun must always match the subject. For the subject 'tú' (you), the correct pronoun is 'te', not 'se'.
How It Connects
Learn This First
To understand reflexive pronouns, you first need to be comfortable with subject pronouns (who is performing the action) and basic verb conjugation, as the reflexive pronoun must match the subject and the verb ending.
- yo/tú/él/ella/ustedSubject Pronouns (Singular)
Reflexive pronouns correspond to specific subject pronouns, so understanding the persons of the verb is essential.
Foundations - nosotros/vosotros/ellos/ellas/ustedesSubject Pronouns (Plural)
Plural reflexive pronouns require knowledge of plural subject categories to ensure correct agreement.
Foundations - -o/-as/-a/-amos/-áis/-anPresent Tense -AR Verbs
Reflexive pronouns are used in conjunction with conjugated verbs; understanding basic conjugation is necessary to form reflexive sentences.
Level 1
Related Patterns
- -arse/-erse/-irseReflexive Verb Forms
These are the verbs that require reflexive pronouns. The '-se' ending on the infinitive signals that it's a reflexive verb.
Level 1 - levantarse/acostarse/ducharseDaily Routine Reflexives
A very common category of reflexive verbs used to describe daily activities, which are a great way to practice using reflexive pronouns.
Level 1 - Object Pronoun Position
This pattern explains the general rule for where to place pronouns, including reflexive ones, in a sentence (before the conjugated verb).
Level 2
Learn Next
Patterns that build on this one.
Words in This Pattern
Practice me/te/se/nos/os/se in Bubblegum
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