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"Cepillarse el pelo" is a pronominal verb phrase which is often translated as "to brush one's hair", and "afeitarse" is a reflexive verb which is often translated as "to shave". Learn more about the difference between "cepillarse el pelo" and "afeitarse" below.
cepillarse el pelo(
seh
-
pee
-
yahr
-
seh
 
ehl
 
peh
-
loh
)
A pronominal verb phrase combines a verb with a preposition or other particle and always uses a reflexive pronoun. (e.g., Se dio cuenta del problema.)
pronominal verb phrase
a. to brush one's hair
Carmina se cepilló el pelo después de secárselo.Carmina brushed her hair after drying it.
cepillar el pelo
An intransitive verb phrase is a phrase that combines a verb with a preposition or other particle and does not require a direct object (e.g., Everybody please stand up.).
intransitive verb phrase
a. to brush ... hair
A Maribel le encantaba cepillar el pelo a su hija.Maribel loved to brush her daughter's hair.
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afeitarse(
ah
-
fey
-
tahr
-
seh
)
A reflexive verb is a verb that indicates that the subject performs an action on itself (e.g., Miguel se lava.).
reflexive verb
a. to shave
¿Con qué frecuencia te afeitas la barba?How often do you shave your beard?
afeitar
A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
transitive verb
a. to shave
Para el verano, papá decidió afeitar al perro.For the summer, dad decided to shave the dog.
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