When to change the reflexive

Question

Hey guys.

I was wondering, when do we keep the reflexive as "se" or change it to the subject we're talking about with reflexive verbs.

For example:

Eres demasiado pequeño para subirte.

vs

Eres demasiado pequeño para subirse.

I'm thinking one is translated as "you are too small to ride" and the other is translated as "you are to small to be ridden". I'm just confused on which one.

Another example:

Me gusta lavarse. [I think this means, I like bathing (in general)] I also think this is right way to say this phrase.

Me gusta lavarme. [I think this means, I like washing myself (specifically only myself)]

But I could be wrong. What do you guys think?

Answer 1

Subir can be either a transient or intransient verb and can be used pronominally or not depending on context, the RAE has various examples of these usages. In the case of riding (horse, bus, etc), the thing being ridden should be mentioned, ie: Eres demasiado pequeño para subir al caballo.

If you wish to make a demand of someone that they get on the horse, subir can be used with or without the pronoun: "¡Sube / súbete al caballo!" (I would not consider the variant with the pronoun reflexive here. It simply indicates who is affected by the action and of course it makes the sentence more demonstrative).

If for some strange reason you want to say "You are to small to be ridden", you would have to say "Eres demasiado pequeño para / a que te suban".

The thing about bathing: even if you like it in general it must be lavarme because you like in general to bath yourself. If you like that other people bath themselves, you can say, ie: "Me gusta que la gente se bañe".

I think there is a mistake in one of the examples of Andre´s link: "Te alegras de hablar español. (It makes you happy to speak Spanish.)"

It should be: "Te alegras de hablar español .... You are / become happy to speak Spanish". And "Te alegra de hablar español ... It makes you happy to speak Spanish." (In this variant the subject is "it", so the verb must be conjugated in accordance).

Gracias - cmusba, Jul 28, 2016

Answer 2

Maybe this link on reflexive verbs and pronouns will help.

Thank you - cmusba, Jul 28, 2016