Match the subject
yo → me · tú → te · él/ella → se · nosotros → nos
Spanish 101 · Grammar
Reflexive verbs
When the subject does something to itself, Spanish marks it with a reflexive pronoun — English often hides this.
The rule
Placement: before a conjugated verb (Me levanto), or attached to an infinitive or affirmative command (Voy a levantarme; ¡Levántate!).
Meaning shifts: llamarse (to be called), irse (to leave), quedarse (to stay). The reflexive marks a special sense, not just “myself.”
Plural subjects + reciprocal reading: Se abrazan = They hug each other (or themselves, context decides).
Do not separate se from the verb cluster arbitrarily — follow your instructor’s placement rules for commands and compound tenses.
Me cepillo los dientes dos veces al día.I brush my teeth twice a day.
¿A qué hora te acuestas normalmente?What time do you normally go to bed?
Examples in context
Por la mañana me levanto a las siete.In the morning I get up at seven.levantarse
¿A qué hora te acuestas normalmente?What time do you normally go to bed?acostarse
Nos cepillamos los dientes después de cenar.We brush our teeth after dinner.cepillarse
Ella se pone nerviosa antes de los exámenes.She gets nervous before exams.ponerse + adjective
Los estudiantes se divierten en el festival.The students have fun at the festival.divertirse
¿Cómo se llama tu compañero de cuarto?What is your roommate’s name?llamarse
Me ducho antes de salir para clase.I shower before leaving for class.ducharse
No nos sentimos bien después del viaje largo.We do not feel well after the long trip.sentirse
Quick reference
Infinitive
Attach the pronoun: lavarse → me lavo / quiero lavarme
Body routines
Often reflexive in Spanish even if English drops “myself.”
Common mistakes
Wrong agreement
❌ Wrong: La problema es fácil.
✅ Correct: El problema es fácil.
Problema is masculine despite ending in -a.
Double subjects
❌ Wrong: Yo soy yo estudiante.
✅ Correct: Soy estudiante.
Drop redundant subject pronouns when the verb ending is clear.
Negation placement
❌ Wrong: Entiendo no.
✅ Correct: No entiendo.
Place no immediately before the conjugated verb.
Literal word order
❌ Wrong: ¿Qué hora es qué?
✅ Correct: ¿Qué hora es?
Keep standard question frames; do not copy English order.
Practice questions
Test what you just learned. Select an answer to see instant feedback.
Por la mañana yo _____ a las siete.
¿A qué hora _____ tú?
Nosotros _____ los dientes después de cenar.
Los niños _____ en el parque.
Ella _____ Ana.
You got 0/5 correct.
Want more practice on Reflexive verbs?
Chapurra has 50 questions like these, organized by chapter. Capítulo Preliminar is free.
Start practicing free →FAQ
How do I know if a verb is stem-changing?
Your vocabulary list or textbook marks e→ie, o→ue, e→i, etc. Changes usually appear in the boot shape of present indicative (not nosotros/nosotras in many -ar/-er verbs). There is no single rule from the infinitive alone—you learn per verb or family.
Why is the yo form sometimes irregular while tú looks regular?
Verbs like hacer (hago) or salir (salgo) add supporting letters or change stems only for yo in the present. The rest of the singular/plural pattern may follow the regular endings. Drill yo alongside ellos because those forms are the most exam-visible.
What is ir a + infinitive?
It is a common periphrasis for near future: Voy a estudiar = I am going to study. Conjugate ir, keep a, and add the unchanged infinitive. It is not the same as the simple future tense learned later.
When can I use the present progressive?
Estar + gerund stresses that an action is in progress right now: Estoy leyendo. Spanish does not use it for stative verbs the way English might (*Estoy queriendo is odd). Follow your book’s list of verbs that prefer simple present.
How do reflexive pronouns line up?
They match the subject: me, te, se, nos, os, se. They usually come before a conjugated verb or attach to an infinitive/command: Me lavo las manos; Voy a lavarme. Placement rules parallel other object pronouns.