When to Use Reflexive Verbs
How do we know which verbs to use reflexive pronouns with? For example, El se va for he is going, but do we use the reflexive for coming as well? El se viene?
I understand the basic principle of reflexives, being that its when the verb is done to the subject, similar to how we might use "oneself, yourself, etc.." in English, but they also used that for verbs where we wouldn't. (We would not say I shower myself in English, however it is "me ducho" in Spanish.) So is there any good way to know which verbs to use it with?
2 Answers
In general there is no way to know which verbs to use it with. You would be memorizing a long set of words to no avail.
Regarding your particular examples: irse does not mean simply to go, it means more to go away from a place. So to say, "Well, I'm leaving now." I use Ya me voy.
Reflexive forms are used when talking about your or someone else's body. Lávase las manos. Wash your hands. Me duele la cabeza, I have a headache.
My advice is that in your reading and listening, observe when these pronouns come up and make them part of your usage. In any language there is a limited number of phrases and words in common and frequent use. Don't try to learn a language by taking one little part and finding out every place it is used. A person writing a grammar book would do this, but those people already know the language fluently.
The 4 natural ways to learn a language are (in order): Listen. Speak. Read. Write.
There is a very good comprehensive lesson on reflexive verbs in our grammar section.
Here's the link.
