Subjunctive with reflexive verbs

Question

Hello again! I have another question concerning the subjunctive. I want to translate the following clause:

"If you want me to wake you up,..."

I'm pretty sure this is right, but I'd like to make sure:

"Si quieres que te despierte,..."

First: Is this a correct translation?

Second: What if I wanted to use pronouns, in particular 'yo' and 'me'? Could I say the following:

"Si me quieres que yo te despierte,..."

or, "Si me quieres que yo despiertete,..."

It's been ten years since I last really studied and there's a bit I've forgotten, but I don't even remember covering this in any class. As always, any help is appreciated.

Regards,

Tim

Answer 1

"If you want me to wake you up,..."

I'm pretty sure this is right, but I'd like to make sure:

"Si quieres que te despierte,..."

First: Is this a correct translation?

Yes, it's a correct translation. If you want to use the pronoun yo for clarity you would say "Si quieres que yo te despierte.."

Despertar means to wake someone up or to awaken someone therefore a transitive verb.

Despertarse means to wake up (oneself by oneself) therefore a reflexive verb with no direct object (except the subject of the verb).

You would not say "Si me quieres que yo te despierte,..." or "Si me quieres que yo despiertete,..." "Si me quieres" does not mean "If you want me (to do something) it means "If you love me.... The direct object pronoun is only attached to the infinitive and the present participle forms of the verb in Spanish, not the present subjunctive.

Does this seem clear?

Thanks a lot. I appreciate it! - bromley365, Nov 18, 2014