Introduction to Pronominal Verbs

Question

Introduction to Pronominal Verbs

Pronominal means related to pronouns, therefore, a pronominal verb is always accompanied by a pronoun. These pronouns are called reflexive pronouns.

Let's start off with these important points:

1- The term reflexive does NOT ALWAYS mean that the subject acts on himself (the subject and the object are the same).

2- It rather means that the pronoun reflects on or more accurately matches the subject. In other words, the pronoun changes to agree with its respective subject.

3- Based on the above and as we will discuss below, it's absolutely imperative to keep in mind that NOT every pronominal verb is a reflexive verb.

4- The fact is that, reflexive verbs are only on subtype of pronominal verbs.

The infinitives of pronominal verbs are characterized by having a 'se' at the end. e.g. sentarse, volverse, hacerse, limpiarse, ducharse....etc.

The part of the verb WITHOUT the 'se' is conjugated to match the tense, mood, and the subject, while the 'se' takes the form of the reflexive pronoun that agrees with the subject.

• Subject .............Reflexive Pronoun
• Yo...............................Me
• Tú...............................Te
• Ella, Él, usted..............Se
• Ellas, Ellos, Ustedes....Se
• Nosotros............... ..Nos
• Vosotros..................Os

Note that reflexive pronouns are the same as direct object pronouns except for the change of (lo, los, la, las) to se.

Example:

• Ducharse: to shower
• I shower : (Yo) me ducho.
• Subject:Yo
• Matching reflexive pronoun: me.

• Duchar conjugation for 'Yo' in simple present indicative is: ducho

• They shower: (Ellos) se duchan

• Subject: Ellos.
• Matching reflexive pronouns: se

• Duchar conjugation for 'ellos' in simple present indicative: duchan

  Similarly:

• We shower: (Nosotros) nos duchamos.

• He/ she/ you (formal) shower: (él/ella/usted) se ducha.
• They/ you all (formal) shower: (ellos/ellas/ustedes) se duchan.
• You all (informal) shower: (vosotros) os ducháis.
• You (informal) shower: (tú) te duchas.

Important Uses of Pronominal Verbs

1- Intrinsically pronominal verbs: These verbs are originally pronominal and cannot function otherwise. e.g.

Arrepentirse and suicidarse. Suicidar alone without the 'se' is not a Spanish verb, it doesn't exist.

2- Pronominal use imparting a whole new meaning to the original verb:

Some verbs when used pronominally give a totally different meaning, e.g,

• Acordar: to agree. Acordarse: to remember.
• Saltar: to jump. Saltarse: to skip
• Volver: to turn, to come back. Volverse: to become.
• Empeñar: to give. Empeñarse: to insist.
• Other examples are: dejar(se), disponer(se), despedir(se)... etc.

3- Pronominal construction for emphasis. To emphasize the action. e.g,

• Comer: to eat. Comerse: to eat up. Beberse, fumarse.

4- Pronominal reflexive verbs.

The subject and the object are the same person. As you can see by now, reflexive verbs are only one type of pronominal verbs.

Lavarse, bañarse, quitarse, atarse, afeitarse...etc.

Me lavo el pelo. I wash my hair (I wash myself the hair). Se lava las manos (he washes his hands). Os laváis la cara (you all wash your faces)

5- Pronominal reciprocal verb. Reciprocity of the action, i.e, two or more subjects act on each other/ one another.

Se besan: they kiss each other/ one another.

Nos amamos: we love each other.

Important Notes:

1- This is not an exhaustive description of pronominal verbs, it's only an introduction.

2- Please don't confuse pronominal verbs with passive se (e.g. se venden coches usados), impersonal se (e.g. se habla español aquí), and accidental se (se me rompió el vaso)

3- There are other uses of pronominal verbs which are better be left for advanced levels.

Thank you.

Answer 1

Nice one, Elmar.

Makes one think of footballers, all this showering together (the kissing too, come to think of it). Images are good for helping information 'stick'.

lol - Elmar, Oct 17, 2011

Answer 2

Hi, this was supposed to be a joke, more or less like elmar's being a beginner in Spanish

This is an excellent article, El Mar

Answer 3

Well, considering that you are a beginner in Spanish , we won't pay any attention to this

Answer 4

Passive Se

Impersonal Se

Answer 5

Thank you very much for this, Elmar. I would be interested in your Point 3:--) as well.

3- There are other uses of pronominal verbs which are better be left for advanced levels.

Perhaps you will pose another question?

You're very welcome! :) - Elmar, Oct 17, 2011

I vote with Janice for another article! - territurtle, Oct 18, 2011

Answer 6

Thank you very much for this, Elmar. I would be interested in your Point 3:--) as well.

3- There are other uses of pronominal verbs which are better be left for advanced levels.

Perhaps you will pose another question?

I will try

Thanks -- I'll be waiting!! - territurtle, Oct 18, 2011

Answer 7

this is gangsta. upvote