Spanish Class

Question

I am taking a beginning Spanish class and missed a session but was faxed the lesson. Two of the verbs on the practice list end in se (Levantarse and bañarse) for the verbs to rise and to bathe. What do the "se" endings mean?

Answer 1

The "se" endings mean that they are what you call reflexive verbs. For example, levantar is to rise, and levantarse is to "rise oneself." It is something you do to yourself, and is often used in routine actions. Bañarse is to bathe yourself. You can learn all about them by clicking on "Reference" on this site under the "More" tab, and click on Spanish Verbs and then "Reflexive Verbs." Good stuff! =)

Hope this helps. Great question!

Answer 2

"Se" at the end of a verb means that the verb is reflexive. A reflexive verb is something that a person can do to themselves. Bañar means to bathe, bañarse means to bathe one's self. For more information on reflexive verbs, look here

Looks like great minds think alike, because that's exactly what I said, even down to the link! You get a vote for your quick answer. =] - StillLearning, Feb 9, 2010

Answer 3

Se is the third person reflexive pronoun (himself/herself), but the verb is list this way to show that its meaning changes when the reflexive pronoun is used. These verbs are frequently called reflexive verbs, but more and more it is preferred (and more correct) to call them pronomial verbs. This is one of the more challenging parts of Spanish you've stumbled into, but if you stick with it, it gets less and less confusing.

bañar = to bathe (someone / something else)

bañarse = to take a bath (you bathe yourself)

levantar = to lift up

leventarse = to wake up / to stand up (you lift yourself up)