Paralee's example of "Irse": why is it reflexive?

Question

In Paralee's lesson on reflexive verbs/pronouns she translates "I am leaving at 8:15" in the reflexive form "Me voy a las 8:15". She says it is reflexive because I am "taking myself" somewhere.

But I look textbook sentences like "Voy al parque con Juan." and it seems then that this should also be reflexive: I'm taking myself to the park (with Juan). Or, "Mis amigos van a las montañas." where my friends are taking themselves to the mountains.

Could someone who understands reflexive verbs help with this?

Thank you.

Answer 1

Frank- All the answers so far are good and I agree with them.

But the simplest answer is this: In English, we might say, "to go" when we mean "to leave". In Spanish they don't do that.

Ir = To go.

Irse = To leave.

It's as simple as that.

• PS- I also agree with Pesta about reflexive verbs, but don't worry about that right now. Just as it is fine for little children to believe in Santa Claus, it's also fine for Spanish learners to believe in reflexive verbs. It may even be helpful at first! - Goyo Jan 16, 2012
• I would have avoided all discussions using the word "reflexive", but since Frank brought it up, I needed to say something basic and correct. I like your simplest answer, of course. - pesta Jan 16, 2012
• I understood Pesta's answer, and your answer makes it even clearer. Thanks. - mtmonadnock Jan 16, 2012

Answer 2

Irse is pronomial, and can be used reflexively or not. To be used reflexively, the object of the verb's action must be the same as the subject.

No verb is "reflexive". Verbs can be transitive or intransitive, or pronomial. "Reflexiveness" is not an inherent quality of a verb, but rather, describes its usage in a specific instance.

"Voy al parque con Juan." means "I go to the park with Juan", not "I'm taking myself to the park (with Juan)."

Moreover, Irse doesn't mean "to go" - it means "to go away (to leave)".

• Voy = I go. Me voy = I'm leaving. Te vas = You're leaving. - pesta Jan 16, 2012
• Three cheers! - samdie Jan 16, 2012
• Okay, I just learned a lot. Thank you. - mtmonadnock Jan 16, 2012
• Nice, thank goodness for good old Laz aye Pesta, I think we've all got that drummed into our heads je je :) - Kiwi_Girl Jan 16, 2012
• Absolutely! - pesta Jan 16, 2012

Answer 3

Voy al parque con Juan.

In simple terms (the kind I understand best), you use "ir" because you have mentioned a destination.

Me voy a las 8:15.

Here, you would use "irse" because you have N O T said where you are going.

That helps me, I hope it helps you too.

Answer 4

@ MLucie

In simple terms (the kind I understand best)

rofl Lucie

you use "ir" because you have mentioned a destination.

You make a good point - ir does focus on the destination but don't forget that the destination, although often clearly stated, can at times simply be implied.

No puedo ir contigo.

Similarly you can state the destination but still use irse because you are focusing on the act of leaving not on the destination.

Me voy a la tienda.