intransitive verbs, reflexive verbs and transitive verbs

Question

I was wondering if anybody could help me understand what intransitive verbs, reflexive verbs and transitive verbs are? Also with examples and if there are any special way to conjugate them or use them.

Thanks you

Good question! Until about a week ago, I had no idea what "transitive" and "intransitive" meant with regard to verbs. I don't remember ever hearing those terms in any Spanish class I've taken! - Pajaro44, May 26, 2010

Answer 1

To understand about transitive/intransitive you'll probably be better off doing an on-line search for explanations in English (assuming that your English is better than your Spanish). The terms are used in very much the same manner in both languages and you would find the English examples easier.

You can also read about "reflexive constructions" in English but the term "reflexive" is applied to many uses in Spanish that in no way fit the traditional meaning of "reflexive" and have no (similarly designated) parallels in English. If you read the reference section you will find discussions of constructions that are often called "reflexive" and that is probably what you are after.

Answer 2

Hola Katie,

A transitive verb is a verb that needs a direct object.

For instance, "Get". You can't just say "I get", you must say "I get it" or "I get slapped." Get is a transitive verb.

Eat, on the other hand, is intransitive. "I eat" makes perfect sense.

There is an article on transitive and intransitive verbshere.

Reflexive verbs seem really scare when you're first learning Spanish, but they are actually fun to use when you get the hang of it.

There is an article on Reflexive Verbs in our Reference Section.

Buena Suerte.

'eat' trans/intrans. e.g. "I eat meat." 'get' trans/intrans. e.g "I get to work on time." - samdie, May 26, 2010

Answer 3

Hi, please have a look at our reference, you can get all the help you need there, click on verbs