Spanish Reflexive Verbs and Vocabulary

Vocabulary flashcards covering common reflexive verbs, grammar rules regarding reflexive pronoun placement and agreement, and related conversational terms.

Reflexive verb (Verbo reflexivo)

A verb that indicates that the subject performs an action on or for oneself (el sujeto hace algo a sí mismo, o por sí mismo).

Indefinite words

Words that refer to people and things that are not specific, such as someone or something.

Negative words

Words that deny the existence of people and things or contradict statements, such as no one or nothing.

Placement of reflexive pronouns

Reflexive pronouns are placed immediately before a conjugated verb, or attached directly to the end of an infinitive or present participle.

Present participles with attached pronouns

When a reflexive pronoun is attached to the end of a present participle, an accent mark must be added to maintain the original stress (e.g., bañándose, durmiéndose).

Body parts and clothing reference rule

In Spanish, parts of the body or items of clothing are generally not referred to with possessive adjectives, but with definite articles (e.g., la cara, las manos).

Reflexive vs. Non-reflexive verb distinction

If the verb acts upon the subject, the reflexive form is used; if the verb acts upon an object other than the subject, the non-reflexive form is used (e.g., lavar means to wash, while lavarse means to wash oneself).

acordarse (de) (o:ue)

To remember

acostarse (o:ue)

To go to bed

afeitarse

To shave

bañarse

To take a bath

cepillarse

To brush

despertarse (e:ie)

To wake up

dormirse (o:ue)

To go to sleep; to fall asleep

ducharse

To take a shower

enojarse (con)

To get angry (with)

irse

To go away; to leave

lavarse

To wash (oneself)

levantarse

To get up

llamarse

To be called; to be named

maquillarse

To put on makeup

peinarse

To comb one's hair

ponerse

To put on

ponerse (+ adj.)

To become (+ adj.)

preocuparse (por)

To worry (about)

probarse (o:ue)

To try on

quedarse

To stay

quitarse

To take off

secarse

To dry (oneself)

sentarse (e:ie)

To sit down

sentirse (e:ie)

To feel

vestirse (e:i)

To get dressed

anoche

Last night

vecindario

Neighborhood