Multiple reflexive verbs in Spanish

Question

When you use multiple reflexive verbs, do you have to use the indirect object pronoun before each one? For example,

"Me visto, me como, y me cepillo los dientes." or can you just say, "me visto, come y cepillo...."

Me visto - warzone, Feb 14, 2012

Me visto means I dress myself---at least I think it does. - warzone, Feb 14, 2012

Answer 1

I am now confused. The emailed answer said you can omit the reflexive pronoun and the actual posting says you can't. Which is correct?

You can eliminate the SUBJECT pronoun... not the REFLEXIVE pronoun:

Yo me lavo las manos. I (emphatically) wash my hands.

Me lavo las manos. I wash my hands.

Eliminating the REFLEXIVE pronoun can change the meaning of the sentence:

Perdí las llaves. I lost the keys.

Me perdí la película. I missed the movie.

I understand. But here is what I received in the email, "teeth." However, if you have a string of reflexive verbs, you can usually omit the reflexive pronoun after the first reflexive verb: "Me lavé las manos, cepillé los dientes, y dormí." - warzone, Feb 14, 2012

Not sure where "teeth" came in, but omitting that word you can see the source of my confusion - warzone, Feb 14, 2012

Answer 2

Hi Warzone. You have to pair the indirect object pronoun before each reflexive verb. "Me visto (I dress (myself)), como (I eat), y me cepillo los dientes (I brush (my teeth))." "Me como" would be "I eat (myself)" which would be hard to do. And a little scary. You could say "me sirvo/preparo (el desayuno)" (I serve/prepare myself (breakfast)). Welcome to the forum!

You make it sound so easy. I have a pea brain and am trying to put more into it than a watermellon can hold. - warzone, Feb 14, 2012

I've had plenty of practice Warzone, you're doing great! Keep up the good work and feel free to ask more questions whenever you need help.. - StuartSD, Feb 14, 2012

Answer 3

¡Hola y bienvenído!

A reflexive verb in Spanish is used when you wish to indicate that something was done TO yourself, or when someone else does something to themselves.

"Yo lavé los platos." -> I washed the dishes.

"Yo me lavé las manos." -> I washed my hands.

I am not sure what you mean by "me visto."

"Me como" means "I eat myself" (ouch! sounds painful!)

"Me cepillo los dientes" is correct Spanish for "I brush my teeth."

However, if you have a string of reflexive verbs, you cannot usually omit the reflexive pronoun after the first reflexive verb:

"Me lavé las manos, me cepillé los dientes, y me dormí." -> I washed my hands, brushed my teeth, and went to sleep.

I am now confused. The emailed answer said you can omit the reflexive pronoun and the actual posting says you can't. Which is correct? - warzone, Feb 14, 2012