encantar vs. encantarse

Question

I understand encantar, as in "Me encanta Negra Modelo." When do you use encantarse?

excellent taste in beer. My favorite. - gringojrf, Jan 12, 2012

Answer 1

Encantarse doesn't exist, that's not a verb.

Me encanta X --> this doesn't come from encantarse, rather the "me" in an indirect object, refering to the person who likes X. It works like "gustar"

In case you enchant yourself, then it's used reflexively:

Se encanta a sí mismo

In this case the verb isn't encantarse either. It's encantar used with a reflexive pronoun.

Answer 2

encantarse = to get enchanted/to fall in love etc.

encantar = enchant/to love

Answer 3

When thinking about reflexive verbs try to think if the verb is self directed. Can you be enchanted with yourself. Can you bathe yourself, can you put yourself to bed, etc.

Then there are the other "se" verbs which are not reflexive, ir and irse, dejar and dejarse. Where the se changes the meaning of the verb. So I alwyas try to think if it possible to do the action to myself. If so reflexive, if not then check out the other options.

However, I know a few people who are enchanted with themselves and therefore I think you can use encantarse reflexively.