What's the difference between cepillarme and me cepillo?

Question

Okay, so I didn't EXACTLY mean that verb, but I mean in general. It's so confusing; I have a quiz tomorrow and I have absolutely NO IDEA what the difference is and if there's a fill in the blank, how would I figure out which to use? Help, por favor! Gracias, mis amigos y amigas. (:

-Cindy

Answer 1

Let me help you with some examples:

Yo voy a cepillarme.

Me cepillo antes de salir.

Me gusta cepillarme con este cepillo.

Yo me cepillo frente al espejo.

I hope to be helpful

Uhhm, sorry but I still don't get it. -___- - heyitscindyxo, Jan 12, 2012

Answer 2

Hi Cindy, I'll try to explain. (If I can in a few lines)

We'll use cepillar, which means "to brush", The reflexive verb of cepillar is cepillarse. This means that someone performs the action to himself, herself etc...

if I do the action to myself it would be "me" (myself) to you "te" (yourself) or "se" (him/herself)

the me, te ,se are being used as pronouns, they go in front of the verb.

So, if I brush myself --> me cepillo

The pronoun is attached at the back of the verb in three cases : affirmative commands, gerunds, and infinitives.

cepillarme is an infinitive with the pronoun attached:

voy a cepillarme: I am going to brush myself.

I hope this helps. The reference section has an article on reflexive verbs, you might want to read it. link

to the people of the forum: if I'm incorrect in anyway please correct me

Thank you for your explanation! - 00a4c226, Jan 12, 2012

don't mention it coffeelate, It's all correct, I hope? - 00434ec3, Jan 12, 2012

Perfect! - 00a4c226, Jan 12, 2012

Thanks for the amazing advice! - heyitscindyxo, Jan 22, 2012

Answer 3

I hope I'm not overdoing it, but anyway - ! Well, simply, the basic difference between your example is that cepillarse is in the infinitive form of the verb; me cepillo is the same verb conjugated in the first person, present tense.

You have already been given some good examples for when both are used, and a good explanation of the reflexive properties of the 'se' and the 'me'. I hope that between us all you can get a good understanding of the question.

Good luck with your quiz!

Haha, I agree with you, but thanks for the answer anyway! ♥ - heyitscindyxo, Jan 22, 2012

Answer 4

Voy a cepillarme los dientes.

I am going to brush my teeth.

Me cepillo los dientes a diario/todos los días/diariamente.

I brush my teeth every day.

Thanks! ♥ - heyitscindyxo, Jan 22, 2012