Help with reflexives!!

Question

I didn't understand something basic about the reflexive verbs: when do I say- voy al cine, and when do I have to add "me" in the beginning - me voy al cine... when do I have to use the reflexive verbs and when I just use the regular verb? Thank you!

Vilner, please note that it is mandatory on this forum to use correct punctuation and capitalization in your posts. - --Mariana--, Oct 20, 2009

If members were to state their fluency in either English or Spanish, it would make our job easier. - Eddy, Oct 21, 2009

Answer 1

The next step would/should be to stop referring to "reflexive pronouns" (because of all the associations with "reflexive verbs" and say simply "se". "se" is not a "reflexive pronoun" (although it may be used in a reflexive context).

In this context (pronominal usage) se is always a reflexive pronoun, whether it is the passive se, impersonal se, detransitizing se, reflexive se, pronominal se to express completeness, suddenly, accidentally or any other pronominal verb usage. All pronominal verb uses take the reflexive pronouns.

You are correct that se is not always a reflexive pronoun, however. When it replaces the i.o.p. before the 3rd person i.o. pronoun, it may not be a reflexive pronoun. (I don't think-I've just always heard them say replace the le/les with se. They don't say with the reflexive pronoun se)

Answer 2

First, you need to understand that every pronominal use (used with a reflexive pronoun) isn't reflexive. You can see that reflexive pronoun along with the verb for lots of other reasons. Most usages add a nuance or different shade of meaning to the non-pronominal verb.

The difference in meaning between ir and irse has been discussed here many times, so you can find previous threads if you need to. Basically:

Ir=to go (stressing a destination)

Voy al mercaado. I am going to the store. What's important is where I'm going.

Irse=to leave

Me voy al mercado.

I leaving to go to the store. What's stressed is the fact that I'm leaving now, not where I'm going.

I "AM" going to the store - Izanoni1, Oct 20, 2009

Think fater than I type. Thank you. - 0074b507, Oct 21, 2009

Answer 3

The next step would/should be to stop referring to "reflexive pronouns" (because of all the associations with "reflexive verbs" and say simply "se". "se" is not a "reflexive pronoun" (although it may be used in a reflexive context).

Answer 4

Voy a ir al grano (I'm going to get right to the point)

For a general rule of thumb:

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ir = to go (with a specific place in mind)

irse = to go away, to leave

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If this still doesn't click with you,

have a look at what Eddy and Lazarus posted in a previous thread:

Ir or Irme

I hate posting simulteaneously. It's so redundant. - 0074b507, Oct 20, 2009

I know just what you mean...It's almost as bad as spending time preparing an elaborate answer only to find that multiple people have already answered in that time and have already addressed all the points that you made in your own response - Izanoni1, Oct 20, 2009