reflexive verbs?
What is a reflexive verb? How do you know it is reflexive? What do you do with it?
4 Answers
Have a look at these two reference articles:
as well as
First, there are no reflexive verbs, per se. There are certain verbs that can be used reflexively. Irse may be the reflexive form of the verb, and it may even change the basic meaning of the verb, but it is still the verb ir being used reflexively. (and not all verbs ending in se are being used reflexively. There are many other uses for the pronominal form (with a pronoun) of the verb including forming the impersonal, passive, recriprocal, detransitizing se, etc.
A reflexive use of the verb is when the receiver or object of the verb's action and the agent (subject/doer of the action) are the same person or object. In English we commonly express this situation by including the pronouns (myself, yourself, himself, ourselves, yourselves, themselves). Spanish similarly does it by including a reflexive pronoun (me, te, se ,nos, os ,se).
He explained himself.
Se explicó.
She bathed herself.
Se bañó.
The reflexive pronoun is also used with articles of clothing or other personal objects closely related to the subject.
Nos ponemos los zapatos.
We are putting on [ourselves] our shoes.
Ella se maquilla. Se is putting on [herself] her makeup.
Yesterday the Spanish teacher at our school explained when not to use it. Don't use it if you don't do it "logically" to yourself. You don't say: Me comí
You don't say that because you don't really eat yourself...though you sort of can. Just like drinking, you don't drink yourself. I know this isn't a cover all rule, but it can help.
Hi puck, try this link to a previous thread and see if it is helpful. Pronomial verbs/reflexive pronouns
