Some thoughts on the pinche reflexive

Question

hola de nuevo muchacho(a)s,

Im not here to complain about the reflexive again como gringo qualquiero. MOST of the time it makes perfect sense. Its a way to say "to get" (me enfermo por ej.) which is helpful since English uses "to get" as a crutch. (you know what i mean............... I GOT drunk at work and GOT fired and when i GOT home my mujer GOT mad and then I GOT thrown out). So its very helpful there. And of course you just have to accept tonterías like reirme, morirme, incluso orinarme(me pregunto quien otro va a orinarme menos yo. Just asking.)

So anyway, i just wanted to bring up an observation and see if im way off base. The reflexive may be hidden in English when we say things like: "I was just walking AROUND" , or "He ran OFF", or "Whoops i slipped UP". These little prepositions of position that are used whithout much thought sound a little like Spanish reflexive.

"Ay, me deslizé". Think "I slipped up", not "I slipped myself" "Voy nada mas andandome" "just walking AROUND" "Muevate !" "Move OVER"

What do you think out there? Can "me ando " mean "walking around"? How 'bout " Me agitaba los brazos como loco". "I was waving AROUND my arms

Maybe im pushing it a little. What do you think?

Answer 1

Yes that does work sometimes, not necesarily with directions but I have noticed it being used to suggest completeness of consumption.

eg: comerse (to eat something up)

¡Coméselo! = 'eat it all up'

This lesson has a bit of info about the uses of 'se' that you may find interesting.

Answer 2

"I was just walking AROUND" "Solo estaba paseando" without reflexive is perfect.