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Reflexive verbs · lavarse / levantarse

Subject = object. Use the matching reflexive pronoun before the verb.

Examples

  • Me levanto a las siete.I get up at seven.
  • Se llama Carlos.His name is Carlos.
  • Nos acostamos tarde.We go to bed late.

How it works

Reflexive verbs describe actions the subject does to themselves. The reflexive pronoun matches the subject:

yo me lavo— I wash (myself)
tú te lavas— you wash (yourself)
él/ella se lava— he/she washes (themselves)
nosotros nos lavamos— we wash (ourselves)
vosotros os laváis— you all wash (yourselves)
ellos/ellas se lavan— they wash (themselves)

The pronoun goes BEFORE the conjugated verb (the one that changes with the subject):

Me levanto temprano. — I get up early.
Se duchan por la mañana.

They shower in the morning.

With infinitive / gerund (the -ando / -iendo form, like English -ing) you can attach it to the end; with an affirmative imperative (command form) you must:

Voy a levantarme. = Me voy a levantar.

I'm going to get up.

Estoy lavándome. = Me estoy lavando.

I'm washing up.

¡Levántate! — Get up!

Common reflexives: lavarse (wash), levantarse (get up), acostarse (go to bed), ducharse (shower), peinarse (comb), vestirse (dress), llamarse (be called), sentirse (feel), llamarse (be called), divertirse (have fun).

What you'll practise

  1. 1. Pick the matching pronoun (me/te/se/nos/os/se)

    Match the pronoun to the subject person.

    • Me ducho.I shower.
    • Os peináis.You all comb your hair.

  2. 2. Pronoun position (before conjugated verb)

    Place the pronoun directly before the conjugated verb (the one that changes with the subject).

    • Se levanta tarde.He gets up late.
    • No me acuesto temprano.I don't go to bed early.

  3. 3. Attached to infinitive / gerund

    Pronoun may attach to an infinitive or gerund (lavarme, lavándome).

    • Voy a ducharme.I'm going to shower.
    • Quiero lavarme.I want to wash up.

Practise it until it sticks

Short drills built on these 3 skills, with instant feedback on every answer. Free to start.

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