Reflexive verbs
Me levanto, se llama: verbs with se.
A reflexive verb has an object that is its own subject: "I get myself up". Its infinitive ends in se, and its pronoun changes with the person.
| levantarse get up | |
|---|---|
| yo | me levanto |
| tú | te levantas |
| él, ella, usted | se levanta |
| nosotros | nos levantamos |
| vosotros | os levantáis |
| ellos, ellas, ustedes | se levantan |
Many everyday actions are reflexive in Spanish where English has no "-self":
| Spanish | Meaning |
|---|---|
| llamarse | to be called |
| levantarse | to get up |
| acostarse (ue) | to go to bed |
| ducharse | to have a shower |
| vestirse (i) | to get dressed |
| sentarse (ie) | to sit down |
| quedarse | to stay |
| irse | to leave, go away |
| sentirse (ie) | to feel |
| despertarse (ie) | to wake up |
- I get up at seven.
- What's your name?
- We're staying at home.
Where the pronoun goes
The pronoun goes before a conjugated verb, and is joined to the end of an infinitive or -ndo form. With a verb before the infinitive, it can go either way.
- I'm going to have a shower.
- I'm going to have a shower.
- He's getting dressed.
With and without se
se often changes the meaning a little:
| Without | With se |
|---|---|
| ir: go | irse: leave |
| dormir: sleep | dormirse: fall asleep |
| llamar: call | llamarse: be called |
| poner: put | ponerse: put on (clothes); become |
| quedar: meet, be left | quedarse: stay |
With parts of the body and clothes, the reflexive says whose: Me lavo las manos "I wash my hands", Se pone el abrigo "He puts his coat on".
In the plural, nos, os and se can also mean "each other": Nos vemos mañana "See you tomorrow", literally "we'll see each other".
Cards from this guide
9 cardsEach card asks about one thing this guide teaches, and its back gives the answer with why and an example. They're reviewed with the rest of the Verbs cards.
What does the se at the end of levantarse show?
That the verb is reflexive: 'to get (oneself) up'.
What's the 'I' form of llamarse (to be called)?
me llamo
How do you say 'we stay at home'?
Nos quedamos en casa.
What's the difference between ir and irse?
ir is 'to go'; irse is 'to leave, go away'.
Give two ways to say 'I'm going to have a shower' with ducharse.
Me voy a duchar and Voy a ducharme.
What's the 'I' form of acostarse (to go to bed)?
me acuesto
How do you say 'I wash my hands'?
Me lavo las manos.
What does Nos vemos mean?
'See you', literally 'we see each other'.
What's the difference between dormir and dormirse?
dormir is 'to sleep'; dormirse is 'to fall asleep'.