Why are some verbs like "acostumbrar" sometimes relexive and not other times?

Question

By this, I mean to say the verbs are done to the oneself but sometimes lose the reflexive pronon and use a verbs like a helping verb like "estar".

Here's an example: I'm use to the mess. Estoy acostumbrado al lio. He is not use to her disorganization. No se acostumba por la desorganizacion de su mujer.

This also happens a lot of times with "preocupar" and verbs of that nature (ex. 'enojar"). Please explain this to me. Thank you.

P.S. I have already looked at the recourse center and video on reflexives and...

Answer 1

I think for the verbs that you are using, they are just two forms of saying the exact same thing. We do that in English as well for some verbs. There are many ways to say the exact same thing.

• So true. - zmanuel Jan 12, 2010

Answer 2

se acostumbra may not be reflexive. It could be passive voice. It depends on what the writer meant to say.

He isn't accustomed to....(passive) He is not getting himself used to... (reflexive)

Estoy acostumbrado... Is a predicate adjective.

I am in the habit of...

lió means in a scrape, in trouble, in a jam, in a mess (not like my room is messed up-disorganizado)