reflexive verbs - a sí mismo?

Question

1. These verbs can often be identified (at least by native Spanish speakers!) by seeing if it's possible to paraphrase them with a construction involving a sí mismo. For example, se lavó could be (emphatically) paraphrased as se lavó a sí mismo.

This is part of the lesson on reflexive verbs but I really do not understand what the above lesson is trying to teach. ¿Podría alguien aclararme?, por favor.

I saw some other examples which had an entirely different meaning than what I had expected. Por ejemplo:

Me amo a mí mismo. I love myself. Ellos se aman a sí mismos. They love themselves. Ella se ama a sí misma. She loves herself.
A usted no le gusta fumar, pero a mí sí. You do not like to smoke, but I do.

Gracias

Answer 1

You might try contrasting the idea of a reflexivity with with that of a reciprocity. That is, contrast the effect that is seen by adding either of the following types of phrases to a pronominal verb (Note: reciprocal meanings only occur with plural verb forms):

?Reciprocal: el uno al otro or los unos a los otros, etc.

?Reflexive: a sí mismos

For example, compare the following two phrases:

Reflexive

Se mataron a sí mismos. ? They killed themselves.

Reciprocal

Se mataron los unos a los otros. ? They killed each other.

You might find the following thread of some use: Pronominal verbs/Reflexive pronouns

I really loved your link and it was extremely helpful! - foxluv, Jan 8, 2011

Answer 2

With a reflexive verb the subject receives the action of the verb. So, if you can add "sí mismo" (his self or herself) it is an indicator that the verb is reflexive.

Gracias, I think I get it. You actually don't write the sentence that way but use it to test the sentence. - foxluv, Jan 8, 2011

Well, you could write it that way for emphasis. The other point I should have made is that the receiver of the action is the same as the doer. Wheras, in the passive voice the subject of the sentence receives the action, but is not the doer. - Rob_TPA, Jan 8, 2011

If the verb were in the plural, such a phrase might be necessary (or at least helpful) in avoiding ambiguity - Izanoni1, Jan 8, 2011

Answer 3

Ella se bañó/duchó--She showered herself. Ella se levantó--She awaked herself. Ella se vistió--She dressed herself. I think It's just the verb in past tense and It has to be something you can do with yourself like wash, comb, brush your teeth,etc.