When is "tutear" used reflexively?
I understand the use of the verb and of the use of the indirect object with it, however the dictionary says that it can also be reflexive.
4 Answers
Tutear = to use the tu form. Se aman = they love each other. Se tutean = they use the tu form with each other. Me tuteas = tutéame= Use the tu form with me. Tutear holds no mysteries, it's a straightforward verb.
You don't normally use it reflexively, but reciprocally: "Se tutean" (=They use the informal 'you' to one another). By the way, you don't use indirect objects with this verb, so maybe you've missed something.
It is not a kind of verb. There are no reflexive verbs and no reciprocal verbs, but verbs that are used reflexively and reciprocally.
Clearly, better terminology. If one insists on saying that the verb is reflexive, then one ends up having to make seemingly contradictory statements like "It's a reflexive verb but it's not reflexive in such and such sentence.
what is another example of this type of verb?
It is not a kind of verb. There are no reflexive verbs and no reciprocal verbs, but verbs that are used reflexively and reciprocally. Let me explain.
La veo = I see her (you see someone else)
Me veo = I see myself (reflexive: the person you see is yourself)
Nos vemos = we see each other (reciprocal: someone sees you and you see someone)
As you can see, the verb is always the same: "ver" (to see). The difference is the pronouns you use along with it. More examples:
Le hablo = I tak to him/her
Me hablo = I talk to myself (reflexive)
Nos hablamos = We talk to each other (reciprocal)
Final example:
Lo tuteo = I use the informal 'you' with him
Me tuteo = I use the informal 'you' with myself (reflexive)
Nos tuteamos = We use the informal 'you' with each other (reciprocal)
You can do this with almost any verb that has objects.
